IMAP Fall Conference 2026: CEE M&A, AI and Cross-Border Growth in Focus
Nearly 100 M&A professionals from across the IMAP partnership gathered in Bucharest for the IMAP Fall Conference 2026, bringing together local market knowledge, international perspectives and practical insight into the forces shaping mid-market M&A.
Romania’s growing strategic importance within Central and Eastern Europe made Bucharest a particularly relevant setting for discussions on regional market activity, cross-border investment, Artificial Intelligence, private capital, and the emergence of businesses with ambitions beyond their domestic markets.
Opening in Bucharest: Strategy, Innovation, and Purpose
The conference began with the IMAP Executive Board meeting, focused on the priorities and direction of the global partnership. Filming also got underway with IMAP advisors and external experts, capturing perspectives on the countries, sectors, and trends influencing mid-market M&A.
At the evening symposium, IMAP was delighted to welcome Cornel Amariei, CEO of .lumen, as keynote speaker.
Cornel shared the story behind .lumen and its mission to give visually impaired people greater freedom of movement. Using technologies developed for autonomous driving and robotics, the company has created smart glasses designed to deliver many of the mobility benefits of a guide dog through a scalable assistive device.
His presentation focused not only on the technology, but on the people behind innovation and the desire to solve problems that genuinely matter. We extend our sincere thanks to Cornel for sharing such a compelling and thought-provoking story with us in Bucharest.
CEE M&A: From Local Leaders to Regional Champions
Central and Eastern Europe was a major focus throughout the conference.
Discussions examined how strong local businesses are increasingly looking beyond their home markets, creating new opportunities for consolidation, international expansion and the development of regional champions.
Guest speaker Andrei Țărnea, Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a wider perspective on the shifting geopolitical environment globally and its implications for CEE, helping place the region’s M&A outlook within a broader economic and strategic context.
Cross-Border M&A in Practice
IMAP partners also shared the stories and lessons behind recent transactions across the region, including one of the largest collaborative deals in the partnership’s history.
These discussions illustrated how successful cross-border M&A combines sector expertise, local market knowledge, and international execution capabilities.
Bilateral meetings remained a core part of the conference, creating dedicated time for partners to explore and move opportunities forward across the partnership.
The programme also included a Gala Dinner at Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament - the world’s second-largest administrative building and a striking setting in which to continue the conversations and relationships built throughout the conference.
AI and the Future of M&A Advisory
Artificial Intelligence was high on the agenda in Bucharest.
The discussion moved beyond individual tools to consider how AI is changing M&A advisory more broadly: where it can improve efficiency, research and analysis; how it may affect deal origination and execution; and where human judgment, relationships, and negotiation remain essential.
For corporate finance advisors, the opportunity is not simply to adopt new technology. It is to use AI responsibly and effectively while continuing to provide the experience, market understanding, and personal advice clients need during complex and often highly significant transactions.
Private Capital and the Evolution of Corporate Finance Advisory
Our IMAP partners also explored how the changing needs of financial sponsors are reshaping opportunities for advisory firms.
As private capital markets evolve, corporate finance advisors must continue adapting their sector knowledge, services, and approach to client relationships. Sessions considered how advisory firms can remain relevant in the next phase of private capital, particularly as investors become more selective and capital flows become increasingly international.
Partner-led discussions also focused on how IMAP firms can bring the full breadth of the partnership’s expertise, transaction experience, and local market access into cross-border client opportunities.
Further sessions shared practical lessons from the growth journeys of advisory firms across IMAP, including the choices and challenges involved in scaling a corporate finance business while maintaining strong client relationships and local-market credibility.
From Local Market Knowledge to Cross-Border Opportunity
The conference reinforced a central principle of the IMAP partnership: international capability begins with strong local expertise.
The advisors closest to a market understand its companies, owners, investors, and transaction dynamics. Connecting that knowledge across countries allows IMAP teams to bring together the relevant sector expertise, buyer relationships, and execution experience when a client opportunity crosses borders.
The conference also marked the launch of a new IMAP-wide initiative designed to strengthen connection, development, and collaboration across the partnership.
Across three days in Bucharest, one message remained consistent: opportunities may begin in a local market, but the right outcome increasingly depends on the ability to connect that opportunity internationally.
A warm thank you to Bogdan, Alin and all our colleagues at BICF – IMAP Romania for welcoming the partnership to Bucharest and making the IMAP Fall Conference 2026 such a valuable gathering.
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