The Independent Sponsor (Fundless Sponsor) space is exploding right now.
Motivated deal sponsors, former private equity principles, and M&A investors are all rushing toward this golden win-win opportunity.
There aren’t many conferences for independent sponsors, but the ones that exist are a MUST-attend for anyone doing deals. Here is a list of my favorite conferences:
- McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference
- iGlobal Forum Independent Sponsors Summit
- DealMAX
- NYC Independent Sponsor Deal Connect & Summit
- CapitalPad
- MIT Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference
Closing deals as an independent sponsor isn’t easily. Sourcing deals, completing due diligence, and raising sufficient capital tend to put hopeful sponsors through their paces. Much of independent sponsors’ success depends on their professional networks, but meaningful connections can be hard to find and take time to build.
Independent sponsor conferences are a great way for sponsors and capital providers in the private equity industry to meet and discuss deals. Gathering people with aligned business interests together at an industry event naturally encourages networking and making connections—precisely what independent sponsors often need most.
There are several conferences for independent sponsors out there, but many of them are small or open by invitation only, not yet well established, or only occur sporadically. But several prominent conferences are highly esteemed in the industry and continue to run strong.
#1 – McGuireWoods Independent Sponsor Conference
Location: Dallas, TX
Host: McGuireWoods LLP
Venue: Fairmont Dallas
Date: 2025 date not yet announced (we will update once announced)
The McGuideWoods Independent Sponsor Conference has grown into one of the largest and best attended conferences in the industry. It takes place each fall in Dallas, TX, and is considered a flagship event for many independent sponsors and capital providers.
The event includes several high-impact panel discussions covering topics important to independent sponsors, including deal sourcing, debt financing and equity fundraising, and best practices. Breakout sessions serve as networking opportunities for sponsors.
Additionally, the conference includes more than one full day dedicated to speed networking sessions, where sponsors can meet with high quality capital partners in scheduled one-on-one blocks. The speed networking setup also allows investors to preview a large number of investment opportunities. The conference is hosted by one of the top law firms in the sponsor space, and I can confirm that year’s conference turned out to be a great event and I took away thoughtful insights.
Highlight: McGuire Woods is the flagship independent sponsor conference with speed networking sessions that allow sponsors to pitch their deals to multiple capital providers in rapid succession. Every serious firm should attend.
#2 – iGlobal Forum Independent Sponsors Summit
Location: New York, NY
Host: iGlobal Forum
Date: 2025 date not yet announced
The iGlobal Forum Independent Sponsors Summit caters to independent sponsor dealmakers that tend to require larger average check sizes. The event takes place within driving distance of Wall Street and attracts many high-quality attendees, including independent sponsors actively doing deals and serious capital partners seeking new business opportunities.
The sponsor forum includes workshops and interactive panels that address key issues of fundraising and dealmaking for independent sponsors. Its programs provide hands-on training and practical skills that can give sponsors a competitive edge in an ever-changing industry.
In addition to its lineup of high-impact programming, the summit offers plenty of valuable face time with potential partners and peers, with over 10 hours of dedicated networking and 1-on-1 meetings.
The event draws professionals who are ready to act, not just looky-loos. Most attendees leave the event with an actionable opportunity or a secured deal.
Highlight: Network with high-dollar capital providers, including leading private equity firms, family offices, hedge funds, mezzanine lenders, institutional investors, and high net worth individuals. Institutional investors can access deals of suitable size for their investment needs.
#3 DealMAX
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Host: Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)
Date: April 7-9, 2025
DealMAX, formerly the InterGrowth conference, might be the best conference for middle market M&A deals. It’s certainly among the biggest, drawing more than 3,000 attendees in 2024.
The three-day conference features nonstop curated networking opportunities, with more than 17,000 one-on-one meetings taking place. The schedule also includes a golf tournament, peer meetups, and networking meals through the event.
At the center of the DealMAX conference is a lounge area that acts as attendees’ home base during the event. There you’ll find open tables for meetings or networking; sponsor booths; and meals, snacks, and beverages. Plus you can enjoy a golf simulator, a shoe shine, a headshot lounge, and the promise of other surprise activities throughout the day.
Highlight: DealMAX is a large, well-attended middle market M&A conference known for its efficient dealmaking environment, from scheduled one-on-one meetings to abundant networking opportunities.
NYC Independent Sponsor Deal Connect Summit
Location: New York, NY
Host: Opus Connect
Part of the Opus Connect Summit Series, the NYC Independent Sponsor Deal Connect & Summit is a focused event that caters to the independent sponsor community. The summit provides a platform for independent sponsors to showcase their deals and connect with capital providers and other private equity principle industry professionals.
The event includes a full morning of scheduled Deal Connect meetings, where independent sponsors can present their investment opportunities directly to interested capital providers. Each attendee receives 10 strictly timed 15-minute meetings that maximize the efficiency of these networking opportunities.
This conference is part of the Opus Connect Summit Series, which includes several regional events and a national (virtual) Deal Connect speed networking event. Each of these related events focus on connecting capital providers and independent sponsors. If the NYC summit doesn’t fit your schedule, the other events in this series may be worth looking into.
Highlight: Attendees can register for the full day, including the scheduled Deal Connect 1:1 speed networking sessions, or choose to attend only the afternoon panels and evening cocktail reception for a less structured conference experience.
CapitalPad
Location: Online (CapitalPad.com)
If you can’t make it to a physical conference, CapitalPad is a great online venue for independent sponsors to find investors and raise capital, and for investors to find deals to allocate to.
CapitalPad is an online platform that facilitates SMB acquisitions for search funds and independent sponsors. It hosts a growing pool of accredited investors looking to access private small business deals and rollups.
Sponsors with a ready deal can post it to CapitalPad, allowing investors to review and choose whether to participate. The platform rolls up all the investors in a deal into one special purpose vehicle (SPV). This dedicated LLC is the only entity on the cap table, meaning sponsors deal with the fund manager instead of administering to multiple small investors.
The platform is completely free to use for sponsors. It’s a great way to raise capital and manage communications with investors.
Perks for Independent Sponsors Raising Capital:
Perks for Investors Investing in Independent Sponsor Deals
Highlight: CapitalPad is a convenient online alternative to in-person conferences if the sole goal is raising or deploying capital into deals (but no parties)
MIT Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference
This conference is more geared towards traditional search funds and the entrepreneurship through acquisition space than to independent sponsors, but it’s still highly relevant to those looking at doing deals. Both investors and acquirers attend.
Final Thoughts About Independent Sponsor Conferences
Independent sponsor conferences are one of THE BEST ways to generate deal flow or to connect with capital partners. They’re natural opportunities for networking, both formally and informally. Most have dedicated meeting formats or one-on-one sessions that are designed to help you use your time there more effectively, both allowing investors to find attractive deals, and allowing sponsors to more easily raise.
Smaller conferences and by-invitation-only events are great if you have access to them, too. But these major independent sponsor conferences are reliable go-to events for sponsors, investors, and other industry professionals.
