Hosted by DealFlow Events
December 7-8, 2022
London, UK
The largest forum for networking and discussion of SPACs & alternative IPO techniques. Attend in-person or virtually.
Gain access to the Livestream
The SPAC Conference is the premier event uniting the most influential participants in this specialized market. Participants report year-after-year that this is the best forum available for networking and access to SPAC experts. It’s been that way since 2008, when the inaugural event was held in New York.
Now DealFlow brings The SPAC Conference Europe to London. Follow the money, as the saying goes. Europe and the U.K. are widely seen as golden opportunities for SPACs to make deals with high-quality companies that would benefit from access to public markets.
Through the first half of 2022, nearly two dozen European SPACs launched IPOs with a combined market value of almost $21 billion. The U.K. leads the way in successful mergers and de-SPACs outside the United States.
Just ask around. The SPAC Conference’s reputation speaks volumes about the value of attending this event. Attendees called our last conference, “The best SPAC Conference that’s ever been held.” We aim to top that in London at The SPAC Conference Europe. Meet and learn from the best SPAC pros in the world. Join us.
Each year attendees at The SPAC Conference represent a broad range of professionals. The SPAC Conference 2021 attracted over 700 attendees. Below is demographic information on The SPAC Conference in New York.
In London, we have an entirely new audience of SPAC issuers and finance professionals who are eager to learn best practices for international markets. Get ready to meet them.
Whether you’re attending from the U.S. or from other international destinations, The SPAC Conference Europe is uniquely designed to prepare you for conducting business worldwide. No other conference delivers this much value from such a deep bench of SPAC professionals. The networking opportunities alone make this a must-attend event.
Offering the largest gathering of investors, bankers and management teams in the business. You can count on the best networking to maximize your business development.
Our panelists and presenters are thought leaders in the industry.
The SPAC Conference includes 1-on-1 meetings that you can schedule through our event app, allowing you to connect with conference attendees even before the event.
Comprehensive and technical discussions of legal issues, finance trends, and deal dynamics.
The DealFlow Event App provides attendees with the ability to connect and engage with one another. You can start networking in advance, or you can wait for the conference to connect, whichever you prefer. (And yes, you’ll be able to get the list of attendees through the app as well!)
The DealFlow Event App features advanced technology which promises a seamless networking experience and access to all the information you’ll need about The SPAC Conference Europe – from following event activities to following individual attendees, it’s all included.
The Livestream
Now you can join the action remotely and participate in The SPAC Conference Europe live. Don’t miss out on a minute of the agenda or audience Q&A.
Next Generation Networking
You can use enhanced networking technology, the most seamless way to connect and engage with other event attendees.
Virtual Booth
With the virtual booth, you have instant remote access to participating event sponsors during both days.
Social Wall
Share any big announcements about yourself or your company that other attendees might find helpful or interesting.
Direct & Group Attendee Messaging
You can chat 1-on-1 directly through the app with connections you’ve made or you can create groups to streamline communications.
Advanced Meeting Scheduler
Attendees have the ability to create 1-on-1 meetings with other attendees. You have the option to choose a date, time and location. You can also use the in-app video chatting feature.
Shake & Connect
“Shake & Connect” is truly a next-level networking experience. Attendees can shake their phones to discover who is around them, and simply exchange profiles with a click of a button. It’s as easy as a handshake.
Partner
Winston & Strawn
Paul Amiss specialises in SPACs, de-SPACs, M&A, equity capital markets and private equity. He has advised sponsor teams on UK and US listed SPACs and their business combinations. Paul has recently been representing Broadstone Acquisition Corp., a NYSE listed SPAC founded by a UK-based team on its US$2 billion business combination with Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd. Paul is also currently working on UK SPAC IPOs under the new Listing Rules.
Partner, Americas FAAS Transactions Accounting Advisory Leader & SPAC Transactions Leader
Ernst & Young
Karim has more than 23 years of experience serving clients in a variety of industries. He has extensive knowledge of special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) mergers covering accounting, reporting, regulatory, operational and integration matters. Karim has lead 50+ SPAC transactions in the past 10 years. Karim advises clients on numerous accounting and financial reporting matters including: mergers and acquisitions, registration statements’ complex accounting matters, policies and procedures, IPOs, debt offerings, purchase accounting, spin-outs, divestitures, valuation-related matters associated with purchase accounting, carve-out accounting, consolidation matters, fresh start and bankruptcy accounting, and other complex accounting matters, as well as compliance with SEC financial reporting requirements for US domestic and foreign private issuers. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the state of California; and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Promoter and Director
Industrial Stars of Italy
Attilio Arietti has been the founder and CEO of Oaklins Italy a leading Italian M&A advisory company member of Oaklins International one of the largest international M&A organizations present in over 50 countries of which he has also been President and Chairman. He has extensive experience in negotiations, valuations and deal structuring. He has advised a wide variety of international and domestic clients in acquiring or disposing of businesses in Italy and abroad as well as raising debt or equity and establishing strategic alliances or joint ventures.
Attilio holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, a degree in Economics from the University of Turin and is a chartered accountant.
Chief Administrative Officer
Agile Growth Corp.
Global C-Level legal advisor for private equity backed and public software companies with expertise in international technology transactions, data privacy, M&A and IP monetization strategies.
Managing Partner
The Nuvo Group
Tony Barletta is co-owner and managing partner of The Nuvo Group and directly manages all operational aspects of the company. He is responsible for ensuring that the product direction continues to align with The Nuvo Group’s core values and mission while continuing to maintain excellence in customer satisfaction.
Partner & US National SPAC Execution Services Leader
Deloitte
Will is a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP and offers more than 16 years of experience providing advisory and audit services to clients. He leads Deloitte’s Central Region IPO and SPAC Execution Group for the Accounting, Reporting and Advisory practice. He has extensive private equity experience including auditing and/or advising portfolio companies regarding public exit strategies. He has extensive experience leading IPO engagements including reverse mergers, special purpose acquisition companies, recapitalizations, Up-C Structures, predecessor accounting, and SEC pre-clearance filings. He is a certified public accountant in Texas and has a Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas.
Partner
Sidley
Josh DuClos is a partner in Sidley’s office in Century City. He concentrates his practice on representing private equity sponsors, public and privately held companies, and their respective stakeholders and advisors in de-SPAC transactions, mergers, buyouts, investments and divestitures. Josh was named to the Daily Journal’s “Top 40 under 40” list, which celebrates the achievements of California-based lawyers under the age of 40 for 2020.
Partner
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole
Douglas S. Ellenoff, a member of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP since its founding in 1992, is a corporate and securities attorney with a specialty in alternative financings, including, SPACs, M&A, PIPEs, RDs and Crowdfunding. In the last 10 years, he has been involved at various stages in numerous registered public offerings, including more than 100 financings and, hundreds of private placements into public companies. Since 2002, Mr. Ellenoff has been involved with over 250 SPAC IPOs and 60 business combinations.
Partner
Chardan
Mr. George B. Kaufman has been the Partner and Head of Investment Banking at Chardan Capital Markets, LLC since January 2015. Mr. Kaufman was the Managing Director of Investment Banking at Chardan Capital Markets, LLC since January 2006. He founded Detroit Coffee Company, LLC in January 2002 and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kaufman established the investment banking, brokerage and marketing protocols and standards. He has extensive experience with operating and development stage companies, particularly those in the China and Greater Asian region, having lead and/or managed over 30 public and private transactions. He has been a Director at China Networks International Holdings, Ltd. since June 26, 2009. He has been Director of Chardan Metropol Acquisition Corp. since April 01, 2012. He serves as an Independent Director at Delta Technology Holdings Limited. He has been an Independent Director of Prime Acquisition Corp. since May 5, 2014. He served as an Independent Director of Delta Technology Holdings Limited until February 18, 2016. He served as a Director of Prime Acquisition Corp. from March 21, 2012 to September 30, 2013. Mr. Kaufman received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Vermont in 1999.
Senior Director
Morrow Sodali
Kevin Kelly, a Senior Director, joined Morrow Sodali in October 2003. Kevin leads our SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) services and is responsible for new business development.
Prior to joining Morrow Sodali, Kevin held a number of senior roles in the transfer agent business including positions in sales, marketing, administration, product management, and operations. Kevin’s career included transfer agent and corporate trust roles with Computershare, Harris Bank, Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, and Chase Manhattan Bank.
Kevin is a member of National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and the Society for Corporate Governance. He holds an M.B.A. degree from Fordham University and a B.A. degree from St. Anselm College.
Head of Listings
Nasdaq Nordic
Adam Kostyál is Senior Vice President of Listing Services, Europe. In addition to Nasdaq Nordic Exchanges, where there are more than 800 companies listed, Adam is also responsible for the more than 120 European companies that are either primarily listed or dual listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in the U.S.
He started his career at OMX as a Sales Director, and then became Head of the Strategic Initiative Groups in 2006. Most recently, as Vice President of Market Technology Sales, he was responsible for sales, account management, and business development for the Eastern and Western Europe.
Adam has held various positions with Enron, Cell Network and Bloomberg. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Marketing from Vrije Universiteit de Bruxelles and speaks four languages — English, Swedish, Italian and French.
Partner
EarlyBirdCapital
Mr. Levine is Co-Founder, CEO and Head of Investment Banking. His primary focus is on private placements, public offerings, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions and financial advisory work.
Prior to EarlyBirdCapital, Mr. Levine was Vice President of Investment Banking at Southeast Research Partners, Inc., (a predecessor to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.) an investment banking and research firm with offices in New York and Florida that specialized in institutional research and sales, covering middle market private and public companies. In June of 2000, together with Mr. Nussbaum, Mr. Levine launched EarlyBirdCapital to focus on financing and advisory opportunities with small and mid-market private and public companies. From 1980 to 1991 he headed a New York-based food distribution company, a role that gave him hands-on experience in running a mid-sized business.
Mr. Levine earned his B.A. from George Washington University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from George Mason University School of Law. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.
National Director – SPAC Segment
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
John C. Marchisi is National Director – SPAC Segment and Area Senior Vice President of Gallagher’s Financial Institutions Practice, focusing on insurance and risk management for Directors & Officers Liability, Cyber Liability, and Transactional risk. John has over 15 years of experience with SPAC transactions, which began on the American Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange, where he led businesses and SPAC IPO listings and trading as a Managing Director and Exchange Official. John has developed proprietary analytics and resources to assist insurance carrier partners with the underwriting of SPAC insurance programs, and is responsible for numerous national publications including The Life Cycle of a SPAC – A Strategic Risk Management Perspective.
Founder
SPACInsider
Accomplished investment professional with 15 years of experience driving revenue in traditional and alternative investment markets, including Hedge Funds and SPACs.
Successful in establishing, managing, and marketing asset management products targeted towards sophisticated investors. A builder of businesses: co-founded and established SPACInsider.com, a website devoted to the Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) asset class. Responsible for all website development, content, analysis and data management. Skilled in investment banking, capital markets, relationship building and presentations, with superior ability to communicate complex information in an informed and concise manner.
Managing Director
I-Bankers Securities
Matt has 20+ years of experience in the Financial Services Industry holding Research, Institutional Sales and Asset Management roles at various firms including ABN Amro, CRT Capital and Bear Stearns. Prior to joining I-Bankers, Matt was a SPAC specialist for Macquarie Capital (USA), where he helped build the firm’s SPAC Sales, Trading and Underwriting capabilities. He graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Business Management and holds Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities licenses.
Head of Equity Listing
Euronext
Aurélien Narminio is Head of Equity Listing at Euronext. Prior to joining Euronext in 2019, initially as Chief of Staff to the Group CEO, Aurélien worked in foreign exchange sales within the Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities division of Goldman Sachs in London, and then as a strategy consultant at the Boston Consulting Group in Paris. Aurélien holds a Master in Business Administration from INSEAD, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics.
CEO/Founder
Anthemis
Amy Nauiokas lives and leads with fearless conviction. As a CEO, creator, and investor, Amy is an unwavering champion of change. Amy is fueled by a mission to break down barriers and create a more equitable society. With a prestigious career spanning multiple industries, Amy doesn’t accept the status quo. She shatters it.
President & Chairman
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Steven is heavily involved in Continental Stock Transfer & Trust’s day-to-day organizational and administrative issues, and in the overall management of client initiatives. An attorney with a background in public as well as private practice, he is a member of the New York State and Federal Bars. He has practiced at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and as a federal prosecutor. Steven is a member of the Securities Transfer Association Board, and chairs its Legal Committee, which is active in promoting important changes within the industry. A magna cum laude graduate of Brandeis University, he received Law Review honors from NYU Law School.
Capital Markets Partner
Sidley
David Ni represents issuers, underwriters and selling securityholders in a variety of public and private offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, acquisition and leveraged finance transactions, debt restructurings, liability management transactions, SPAC initial public offerings and “de-SPACings,” remarketings, at-the-market offerings, bank note offerings and medium-term notes offerings. He counsels companies on a variety of products, including debt (investment grade and high-yield), common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, trust preferreds, regulatory capital, Eurobonds, convertible notes and other hybrid securities. He works across a diverse range of industries, including energy, technology, media and telecommunications, life sciences and financial services. David serves as co-leader of the firm’s Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) group.
David regularly advises public companies regarding corporate governance matters, ongoing reporting obligations and exchange listing requirements.
Prior to joining Sidley, David was a capital markets partner at another global law firm. In addition, he completed secondments at the equity capital markets desk of a prominent bulge bracket investment bank and the Office of the Prosecution at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Vice Chairman; Co-Chair, Capital Markets & Corporate
Loeb & Loeb
Mitch Nussbaum is the vice chair of Loeb & Loeb and serves as co-chair of the firm’s Capital Markets and Corporate Department. His practice focuses on representing emerging growth companies and investment banks in initial public offerings, follow-on public offerings, shelf takedowns, registered direct placements, PIPEs and other private placements (144A, Reg D, Reg A, Reg S, etc.). Mr. Nussbaum also regularly represents public companies regarding their SEC and NYSE or Nasdaq listing compliance and has acted as outside general counsel, including corporate, securities, M&A litigation and business counseling, to hundreds of private and public companies as well as their officers and directors. He also negotiates and documents acquisitions, mergers, going-private transactions, reverse mergers, proxy contests, tender offers, control contests, fund formations and secured lending financings and has represented issuers and underwriters in more than 100 SPAC public offerings and business combinations. Mr. Nussbaum was responsible for developing the groundbreaking IPAC, which features many of the benefits of the SPAC, but offers increased flexibility on pricing and deal structure, along with a more rapid transaction cycle.
Global Head of SPACs
Nasdaq
Eklavya Saraf is a Managing Director of New Listings at Nasdaq. In this role, Eklavya is responsible for managing Nasdaq’s efforts to attract U.S. listings. He has over ten years of experience in the capital markets industry.
He works with early stage companies to maximize financing and visibility opportunities afforded by Nasdaq’s resources for companies going public. Eklavya works very closely with venture capital and advisors to today’s private companies to educate them on the liquidity options Nasdaq can provide.
VP Solution Sales
Toppan Merrill
Michael Schlanger is a business leader and innovator, with decades of experience in financial printing, who focuses on developing transaction and compliance product strategies in response to client and regulatory needs. Mike leads a team of experts that guide the development and sale of Toppan Merrill’s SEC compliance and XBRL service offerings.
Prior to joining Toppan Merrill, he performed numerous roles with other companies, including sales, sales management, division president and business development.
Mike is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Board of XBRL US, which he has been a Board member since 2009. He is a frequent speaker at law firms, financial industry conferences and professional associations on topics related to the SEC regulatory initiatives.
Chief Executive Officer
The Vogel Group
Alex Vogel is a lawyer and nationally recognized policy expert on federal regulatory and legislative strategy, risk management, political strategy, crisis management, and strategic communications. Throughout his career, he has been a senior policy negotiator in the most significant matters before Congress, including serving as a the top leadership staffer in the Senate. Alex is respected by Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms, trade associations, and national coalitions as the architect of winning strategies and execution in their most high-stakes policy and regulatory challenges. Alex has been recognized for his work in The Hill’s Top Lobbyists list more than ten times in his career, including in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Prior to founding two influential government affairs firms, Alex served as Chief Counsel to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D., where he was responsible for political and legislative strategy and oversight on a range of business and policy areas, including tort reform, technology and telecommunications, judicial nominations, entertainment industry issues, health care, campaign finance, and privacy. Alex directly managed the passage of the Can-Spam Act and the Class Action Fairness Act. He also managed the multi-industry negotiations related to the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) Act.
Additionally, Alex served as the Majority Leader’s liaison to the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force, the 9/11 Commission, the NASA Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), and was responsible for issues relating to continuity of government for the legislative branch. In this role, Alex served as the “designated survivor” during the 2004 State of the Union Address.
Alex previously served as General Counsel to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Deputy Counsel to the Republican National Committee, Counsel to the Republican Attorneys General Association, and worked in the election law and telecommunications regulatory practices at one of the top-rated law firms in Washington, D.C.
Alex holds an active security clearance and currently serves as a Plus One to the Board of Directors at the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He appears regularly on Fox News, Fox Business Network, and other media outlets to provide insight on the policy, legal, and political issues of the day.
Alex received his B.S. in History from the University of California at San Diego and J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.
SPACs: Injecting Equity into Corporate Britain
How post-Brexit economic realities are driving SPAC growth in the UK.
Challenges Facing UK Dealmakers
How to establish the fair value of target acquisitions. And how to sell shareholders on the deal.
Raising Capital for UK Blank-check Companies
UK firms traditionally have more restrictive access to venture capital funding and public markets than their American counterparts. Why that’s not going to last.
Competing with Amsterdam
The Dutch enjoy the lion’s share of SPAC IPOs in Europe, but London is still favored by investors. Learn how to position yourself to take advantage of this situation.
Why a SPAC Listing May be your Best Bet
Learn why speed and sponsorship make SPACs the best route to the public market for many companies.
Exchange Listing Rules in London and Europe
The regulations governing SPACs are changing fast. Get up to speed on the current and proposed listing rules on local markets and exchanges.
Reverse Takeovers and Trading Suspensions
Why the Financial Conduct Authority is working to modify regulations on reverse takeovers and why trading suspensions need to be addressed on SPAC deal details that are leaked to the public.
Understanding Cross-Border SPAC Activity
Why stateside competition is driving the search for international targets and understanding why EMEA/APAC sponsors are registering SPACs to go public in the US.
Understanding Britain’s Interest in SPACs
Why the London Stock Exchange is in a race with Euronext, Hong Kong and American exchanges for a greater share of blank-check business.
Incentive Structures
How to align sponsor incentives with investors’ interests and working toward minimizing shareholder issues post-merger.
UK Tech Companies and SPACs
Why the UK’s rapidly growing technology sector is driving the appetite for SPACs. After feeding on state subsidies and government grants, tech companies are reaching the right size and maturity to pursue the capital markets.
Competition Among UK Companies Fueling Demand
Learn about the hot markets where deals are likely to be done by firms needing capital to hit their next stage of growth as quickly as possible.
Dual Class vs. Free Float Share Structures
How UK regulators approach different tiers of stock and whether dual class shares impact market price.
AIM, Standard and Premium Listings
How listing classifications impact the way a SPAC may operate. Not all listings are equal on the London Exchange.
Plumbing the PIPEs
Why private investment alongside the SPAC is often a necessity and working to keep PIPE investors and other stakeholders on a level playing field.
Advising SPACs in the UK
Learn about the growing opportunities to help blank-check companies accelerate the acquisition process while Britain works to sustain its dominance in European markets.
Our sponsors are thought-leaders in the industry. Corporate sponsorship provides unmatched exposure during a lengthy promotional campaign and the conference itself. Benefits include pre-conference publicity, logo and literature placement, exhibit space, online ad placement, and complimentary registration.
To become a sponsor, contact Charlie Napolitano at (516) 876-8006 ext 20 or charlie@dealflowevents.com.
Terminal 5, London Heathrow Airport,
TW6 2GD, UK
Phone: +44 20 8757 7777
Touch down in Heathrow Airport and you’ll be a quick 5-minute walk away from the Sofitel London Heathrow, the only hotel with direct access to Heathrow Airport. We chose this modern hotel for its convenience and for its large event space which will be dedicated to hosting The SPAC Conference Europe.
