AI & Private Markets - where do we go now?

The SECA Conference is one of the biggest conferences in Switzerland, which brings together the private equity, venture capital and corporate finance industries. Make a note of the date or register for the SECA Conference 2026.

Why attend the SECA Conference:

• Gain firsthand knowledge from leading experts, innovators, and decision-makers.

• Connect with professionals, peers, and potential partners from across the sector.

• Discover the latest technologies, strategies, and best practices driving change and growth.

• Engage in meaningful conversations and build lasting relationships within the SECA community.

• Explore new opportunities, gain visibility, and position yourself for future growth in your field.

Program:

08.30 – 09.00: Registration / Welcome

09.00 – 12.00: AI and Private Markets: Overview
The convergence of AI with private capital is generating a new vintage of global investment opportunities that are distinct from both classic tech / VC and traditional PE. Investment categories vary depending on geography, industrial focus, economic policy and technology clusters. AI and ML global PE deal value more than tripled from $42 billion in 2023 to $141 billion in 2024, with these deals representing 8% of total global PE deal value — up from just 3% the year prior. Simultaneously, 65% of family offices and investment allocators indicate AI and ML as a high investment priority, yet over half have no exposure to VC or PE and 79% report zero allocation to AI-related opportunities, creating a structural deployment gap that is itself an opportunity for advisors, GPs and LPs. Which geographies, categories and clusters offer the most interesting AI private market opportunities and what are the risks?

• Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member EAC-PM, India

• Euvin Naidoo, Professor, Thunderbird School of Global Management
  Impact of AI on Global Business, Risk and Agility

• Hugo Parsons, Director, Strategy & Transactions, Deloitte SA
  AI in M&A, Strategy and Transactions

• Nils Rode, Chief Investment Officer, Schroders
  The great promise of AI for PE managers: better performance

• Filip Czerwinski, Executive Director, BlackRock
  AI Leaders: Private Markets/Public Signal

• Sven Janszky, Futurologist, 2B Ahead Think Tank
  The Future in an AI Driven World

12.00 – 13.00: Lunch & Networking

13.00 – 14.15: Round Table: Key Sectors for AI and Private Markets
The innovation of AI is having a profound impact on all sectors of the economy, but about 10-15 major sectors offer a bigger impact than others. The four economic sectors with the biggest impact are energy & power infrastructure, financial services, space & defense and healthcare. How will AI be implemented in each of these sectors, what is the timeline and what are benefits and risks?

• Karla Dembik – Founder/CEO, AEON Space: AI in Defense, Cyber Security, Space, Critical Infra, Governance

• June Lau, Chair & Founder, Malaysia Medical Association: AI in Healthcare & Digital Health

• Ralf Kaiser, Director, ICTP: Energy & Power Infrastructure Opportunities

• Maria Apazoglou, Group Head AI Engineering, Zurich Insurance: AI in Financial Services
  
  

14.15 – 14.45: Break & Networking

14.45 – 15.40: Swiss / European Opportunities
Europe's distinctive edge lies in its industrial depth, technology prowess, regulatory sophistication, and a renewed political will to invest and act globally. If the US pulls out of NATO then this is even more profound. Opportunities are emerging for private markets to supplement and co-invest in long-term government programs in strategic areas including defence, infrastructure, AI, technology, ESG, and renewable energy. The renowned SME sector offers nearly unlimited potential for AI implementation.

• Alicia Montoya, Head of Industry, SDSC (ETH+EPFL): AI/ML in Swiss / European SMEs

• Gordon Mickel, Operating Principal, Bregal Growth Factors: AI in SME Growth Strategies

• Eva-Maria Strobel, Partner, Baker McKenzie: Legal Environment for AI+IP

• Artëm Vyunnyk, Co-Founder & CEO, R&D Athlon Avia: AI in Drone Technologies in Ukraine

15.45 – 16.40: North American Opportunities
Silicon Valley has led the charge in innovation for 100 years. Now the power of AI is exploding in every sector in North America.  JP Morgan estimates AI could unlock $15 trillion in value globally, led by Silicon Valley innovation, with four key segments in the lead: Agentic AI at $6 trillion, Vertical AI at $3 trillion, Horizontal AI at $3 trillion, and Industrial AI at $3 trillion. How will this massive valuation uplift play out in North America and how will it impact the world?

• Doug Smith, Senior Director, Nutanix: AI Investment Landscape, American Markets

• Sushil Choudhari, Founder, Travel VIP & Credibl ESG: AI in Global Travel & Lifestyle

• Alex Fedoseev, Founder, 1World Online: AI + Web3 in Media and Consumer Apps

• Carlos da Silva, Founder, 33N Ventures: AI in Cyber Secrity Investing

• more tba

16.45-17.30: India / Asia Opportunities
The 21st century has been called the century for Asia. Nowhere was that more obvious 15 years ago than when PE firms asked their target investees “what is your China strate-gy?” From Kazakhstan to China to Japan to India, the race is on to grow, innovate, up-skill and impact their local, regional and global footprint. How will AI impact these markets and what challenges are there on the horizon?

• Jitesh Shetty, CEO, Credibl ESG: AI in Sustainability & ESG

• Umakant Soni, Co-Founder, Baharat1: Building a Humanity Centric AI City

• Yariv Adan, General Partner, ellipsis VC

• more tba

17.30 – 20.00: Piano Apero & Networking at SIX
Pianist: Assel Abilseitova - Khazakstan

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Call for Sponsors:

Join us in making the SECA Conference a success. As a sponsor, you will strengthen your visibility within the Swiss private equity community. For more information, please see the overview in the Downloads section and contact us on info@seca.ch.

Support the SECA Conference means:

• Support innovation and economic growth

• Visibility with the right audience

• Access to key decision-makers

• Opportunities for business and partnerships

• Positioning as a leader in the Swiss market