THE EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVE FUNDS LANDSCAPE
The global investment landscape is entering a new cycle. After a decade of low interest rates and abundant liquidity, capital markets are adjusting to structurally higher financing costs, slower exit environments and greater scrutiny of investment performance. In this environment, alternative investment funds (AIFs) are evolving from a diversification tool into a key financing mechanism for the real economy — supporting corporate growth, infrastructure development and innovation beyond traditional banking channels. What began primarily as private equity has expanded into a broad private markets ecosystem including venture capital, private credit, infrastructure and real assets, with assets under management expected to continue growing as institutional investors and private wealth increase their allocations.
Europe sits at the centre of this transformation. A sophisticated regulatory framework, an expanding investor base and increasing demand for cross-border structures are strengthening the region’s role in global private markets. Structural shifts — such as pension fund allocation changes, the rise of semi-liquid investment vehicles and the rapid growth of private credit — are reshaping how capital is raised and deployed. At the same time, regulatory developments such as AIFMD II and technological innovation, including AI-driven portfolio management and tokenisation, are redefining governance, distribution and operational models across the European alternative investment ecosystem.
FACTS AND FIGURES
THE SUMMIT
The 12th International Funds Summit 2026 will take place in Limassol, Cyprus, bringing together a distinguished group of fund managers, institutional investors, policymakers and industry leaders from across Europe, the Middle East and international markets. Organised by the Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA) and IMH, the Summit continues to serve as the leading annual forum for the funds and asset management industry in the region, providing in-depth analysis of market developments, regulatory evolution and emerging investment opportunities within the alternative funds space.
As global capital markets adjust to a new economic cycle characterised by higher financing costs, evolving liquidity conditions and increased regulatory scrutiny, alternative investment funds are assuming an even more prominent role in the global financial system. Once viewed primarily as niche vehicles, private equity, venture capital, private credit, infrastructure and real asset strategies have become central to institutional portfolio construction and the financing of the real economy. Private markets assets under management are projected to continue their structural expansion, reinforcing the strategic importance of alternative investments in the years ahead.
This year’s Summit will provide a forward-looking platform for examining the European alternative funds landscape and the investment outlook for 2027. Discussions will focus on capital raising and cross-border distribution under the updated AIFMD II framework, the rise of private credit and liquidity solutions, evolving value creation strategies in private equity, and the integration of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure within fund management. The programme will also address the competitive positioning of European jurisdictions in attracting and servicing international capital.
WHO WILL ATTEND
The International Funds Summit 2026 is addressed to senior finance and investment professionals from Europe and the MENA region.
Who will attend?
- Asset Managers
- Fund Managers
- Fund Administrators
- Custodians
- Professionals operating in the fields of private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds
- Professionals specializing in private wealth management
- Family office representatives
- Representatives of endowment trusts
- Legal and Tax consultants specializing in the area of asset management and fund administration
- Senior officials from banks and other financial institutions
- Senior professionals operating in the wider financial services sector
Speakers
Agenda
Invest Cyprus Representative
Regulating the Next Generation of Alternative Investments
The rapid evolution of private markets is challenging traditional regulatory models and requiring a forward-looking supervisory philosophy.
- How regulation is adapting to the growth of private markets
- AIFMD II implementation and the new EU loan origination regime
- The role of regulators in enabling innovation
- Cross-border distribution and European supervisory convergence
- Digital assets and tokenised fund structures
- The long-term vision for Cyprus as an international funds hub
The European Alternatives Market — Investment Outlook 2027
- Macroeconomic environment shaping private markets in Europe
- Interest rates, liquidity and valuation reset across asset classes
- Allocation shifts by pension funds and institutional investors
- Private markets vs public markets — the structural rebalancing
- Europe’s competitiveness in the global capital ecosystem
- Key risks and opportunities for the next investment cycle
From Direct Lending to Asset-Backed & Infrastructure Financing
Private credit has evolved into a core component of European capital markets, increasingly financing corporates, infrastructure and specialised asset portfolios as banks retrench and institutional allocations grow. As the asset class expands, attention shifts from rapid growth to sustainability — underwriting discipline, refinancing risk, liquidity management and regulatory oversight. This session will provide expert perspectives on opportunities, risk assessment and the implications of AIFMD II and the EU loan-origination regime for the next phase of market development.
- Direct lending as the backbone of private credit financing
- Asset-backed finance (ABF) and specialty finance strategies
- Private credit for infrastructure and real-asset projects
- Distressed and special situations credit opportunities
- Measuring and assessing credit risk in a higher-rate environment
- AIFMD II implementation and the EU loan-origination framework
Liquidity, Longer Holds and the Reinvention of the Private Equity Playbook
Private equity is entering a structurally different phase. Higher interest rates, slower exit markets and longer holding periods are shifting the focus from leverage-driven returns to operational performance and strategic transformation. Fund managers are adapting through continuation vehicles, co-investments and innovative capital structures, while limited partners increasingly scrutinise real value creation and cash distributions. This session will analyse how the industry is redefining returns, managing liquidity and identifying the next generation of investment opportunities.
- Value creation in a lower-leverage environment and extended holding periods
- Pressure on Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the growing importance of Distributions to Paid-In Capital (DPI) and cash realisation
- The evolving exit environment: trade sales, sponsor-to-sponsor transactions and recovery of public listings
- When to hold versus sell — balancing DPI and IRR trade-offs
- Capital structure innovation and the use of Net Asset Value (NAV) financing
- Sector opportunities: technology, healthcare, energy transition and infrastructure-related assets
- Co-investments and alignment of interests between GPs and LPs
- Measuring and assessing risk in a changing valuation environment
Structuring, Passporting and Competing in the European Capital Market
As alternative investment funds expand across private markets, capital raising is no longer simply about performance — it is about distribution architecture, regulatory positioning and jurisdictional strategy. With the implementation of AIFMD II, managers must reassess how and where they structure vehicles, how they passport across Europe and how they access both institutional and wealth capital. This session will look into the competitive dynamics within the European Union, the evolving compliance landscape and the strategic decisions that will define successful cross-border fundraising by 2027.
Strategic Distribution Architecture for Alternative Funds
- Designing cross-border distribution strategies within the European Union
- Institutional versus private wealth fundraising models
- Platform partnerships and placement strategies
- The role of semi-liquid and evergreen structures in widening access
AIFMD II — A New Operating Reality
- Loan origination regime and implications for structuring
- Liquidity management tools and supervisory expectations
- Reporting and transparency enhancements
- Delegation framework and cross-border management structures
- Substance requirements and regulatory scrutiny
- Impact on cost structures and operational models
Domicile & Jurisdictional Competition
- The main European Union hubs: Luxembourg, Ireland, Cyprus and other emerging centres
- Comparative structuring flexibility and regulatory responsiveness
- Tax and operational considerations
- Strategic positioning for international sponsors
Passporting & Market Access in Practice
- How passporting is evolving under AIFMD II
- Effective distribution strategies in Germany, France, the Nordics and Southern Europe
- Reverse solicitation realities versus structured marketing
- Marketing rules and national private placement regimes
Beyond the European Union
- Distribution to the Middle East and other non-EU markets
- Structuring for international limited partners
- Global regulatory convergence and divergence
- Positioning Cyprus as a bridge jurisdiction
Structuring Inbound and Outbound Investment Through Cyprus Funds
India has emerged as one of the most dynamic growth markets globally, attracting increasing allocations from private equity, venture capital, private credit and infrastructure investors. At the same time, Indian capital is expanding internationally across technology, energy, healthcare and real assets. As cross-border investment flows intensify, structuring efficiency, regulatory alignment and jurisdictional positioning become critical.
This session examines how Cyprus-based Alternative Investment Funds can facilitate inbound and outbound investment between India and Europe, the structuring considerations involved and the strategic opportunity for Cyprus to serve as a gateway platform in this evolving capital corridor.
From Operational Efficiency to Investment Intelligence
Technology is transforming alternative investments across the entire lifecycle — from sourcing deals and underwriting risk to monitoring portfolios and reporting to investors. Artificial intelligence and data analytics are moving beyond experimentation into practical deployment, while digital infrastructure is redefining fund operations and investor access. This session explores how managers are integrating technology into investment decision-making, operational processes and distribution models, and what this means for competitiveness in the next generation of asset management.
- AI in Investment Decision-Making
- Technology in Fund Operations
- Innovation in Investor Experience & Distribution
- Digital Assets & Emerging Infrastructure
- Strategic Impact on the Industry
- The next generation of alternative investment platforms
Agenda
Invest Cyprus Representative
Regulating the Next Generation of Alternative Investments
The rapid evolution of private markets is challenging traditional regulatory models and requiring a forward-looking supervisory philosophy.
- How regulation is adapting to the growth of private markets
- AIFMD II implementation and the new EU loan origination regime
- The role of regulators in enabling innovation
- Cross-border distribution and European supervisory convergence
- Digital assets and tokenised fund structures
- The long-term vision for Cyprus as an international funds hub
The European Alternatives Market — Investment Outlook 2027
- Macroeconomic environment shaping private markets in Europe
- Interest rates, liquidity and valuation reset across asset classes
- Allocation shifts by pension funds and institutional investors
- Private markets vs public markets — the structural rebalancing
- Europe’s competitiveness in the global capital ecosystem
- Key risks and opportunities for the next investment cycle
From Direct Lending to Asset-Backed & Infrastructure Financing
Private credit has evolved into a core component of European capital markets, increasingly financing corporates, infrastructure and specialised asset portfolios as banks retrench and institutional allocations grow. As the asset class expands, attention shifts from rapid growth to sustainability — underwriting discipline, refinancing risk, liquidity management and regulatory oversight. This session will provide expert perspectives on opportunities, risk assessment and the implications of AIFMD II and the EU loan-origination regime for the next phase of market development.
- Direct lending as the backbone of private credit financing
- Asset-backed finance (ABF) and specialty finance strategies
- Private credit for infrastructure and real-asset projects
- Distressed and special situations credit opportunities
- Measuring and assessing credit risk in a higher-rate environment
- AIFMD II implementation and the EU loan-origination framework
Liquidity, Longer Holds and the Reinvention of the Private Equity Playbook
Private equity is entering a structurally different phase. Higher interest rates, slower exit markets and longer holding periods are shifting the focus from leverage-driven returns to operational performance and strategic transformation. Fund managers are adapting through continuation vehicles, co-investments and innovative capital structures, while limited partners increasingly scrutinise real value creation and cash distributions. This session will analyse how the industry is redefining returns, managing liquidity and identifying the next generation of investment opportunities.
- Value creation in a lower-leverage environment and extended holding periods
- Pressure on Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and the growing importance of Distributions to Paid-In Capital (DPI) and cash realisation
- The evolving exit environment: trade sales, sponsor-to-sponsor transactions and recovery of public listings
- When to hold versus sell — balancing DPI and IRR trade-offs
- Capital structure innovation and the use of Net Asset Value (NAV) financing
- Sector opportunities: technology, healthcare, energy transition and infrastructure-related assets
- Co-investments and alignment of interests between GPs and LPs
- Measuring and assessing risk in a changing valuation environment
Structuring, Passporting and Competing in the European Capital Market
As alternative investment funds expand across private markets, capital raising is no longer simply about performance — it is about distribution architecture, regulatory positioning and jurisdictional strategy. With the implementation of AIFMD II, managers must reassess how and where they structure vehicles, how they passport across Europe and how they access both institutional and wealth capital. This session will look into the competitive dynamics within the European Union, the evolving compliance landscape and the strategic decisions that will define successful cross-border fundraising by 2027.
Strategic Distribution Architecture for Alternative Funds
- Designing cross-border distribution strategies within the European Union
- Institutional versus private wealth fundraising models
- Platform partnerships and placement strategies
- The role of semi-liquid and evergreen structures in widening access
AIFMD II — A New Operating Reality
- Loan origination regime and implications for structuring
- Liquidity management tools and supervisory expectations
- Reporting and transparency enhancements
- Delegation framework and cross-border management structures
- Substance requirements and regulatory scrutiny
- Impact on cost structures and operational models
Domicile & Jurisdictional Competition
- The main European Union hubs: Luxembourg, Ireland, Cyprus and other emerging centres
- Comparative structuring flexibility and regulatory responsiveness
- Tax and operational considerations
- Strategic positioning for international sponsors
Passporting & Market Access in Practice
- How passporting is evolving under AIFMD II
- Effective distribution strategies in Germany, France, the Nordics and Southern Europe
- Reverse solicitation realities versus structured marketing
- Marketing rules and national private placement regimes
Beyond the European Union
- Distribution to the Middle East and other non-EU markets
- Structuring for international limited partners
- Global regulatory convergence and divergence
- Positioning Cyprus as a bridge jurisdiction
Structuring Inbound and Outbound Investment Through Cyprus Funds
India has emerged as one of the most dynamic growth markets globally, attracting increasing allocations from private equity, venture capital, private credit and infrastructure investors. At the same time, Indian capital is expanding internationally across technology, energy, healthcare and real assets. As cross-border investment flows intensify, structuring efficiency, regulatory alignment and jurisdictional positioning become critical.
This session examines how Cyprus-based Alternative Investment Funds can facilitate inbound and outbound investment between India and Europe, the structuring considerations involved and the strategic opportunity for Cyprus to serve as a gateway platform in this evolving capital corridor.
From Operational Efficiency to Investment Intelligence
Technology is transforming alternative investments across the entire lifecycle — from sourcing deals and underwriting risk to monitoring portfolios and reporting to investors. Artificial intelligence and data analytics are moving beyond experimentation into practical deployment, while digital infrastructure is redefining fund operations and investor access. This session explores how managers are integrating technology into investment decision-making, operational processes and distribution models, and what this means for competitiveness in the next generation of asset management.
- AI in Investment Decision-Making
- Technology in Fund Operations
- Innovation in Investor Experience & Distribution
- Digital Assets & Emerging Infrastructure
- Strategic Impact on the Industry
- The next generation of alternative investment platforms
Organiser
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Sponsor
Supporters
Communication Sponsors
Coordinator
