McGuireWoods Emerging Manager Conference 2026

About this event

The firm recently welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees to the Fourth Annual McGuireWoods Emerging Manager Conference — Buyouts , bringing together emerging managers and limited partners for two days of networking and candid discussions on the evolving emerging manager landscape. Attendees participated in more than 6,100 formal speed-networking meetings and heard from leading industry voices on the realities shaping today’s fundraising and investment environment.

Across the conference, several consistent themes emerged: Fundraising cycles are longer and more relationship-driven; LPs deploy capital more selectively and underwrite managers with increased discipline; and success is increasingly tied to demonstrable execution, transparent communication and long-term relationship management. Discussions also highlighted the growing importance of institutional infrastructure, operational value creation and strategic alignment as managers look to build durable platforms beyond Fund I.

The programming delivered actionable insights across fundraising, LP engagement, portfolio value creation, organizational development and emerging investment opportunities. Read on for key takeaways on navigating today’s increasingly competitive market.

Participants in today’s private equity market must navigate a more disciplined environment, in which capital remains available but is deployed more selectively. Distributions to paid-in capital have slowed meaningfully, driven by extended hold periods. There is a large backlog of unrealized portfolio companies, reflecting a softer exit environment. This dynamic drives a greater focus on fundamentals, execution and long-term value creation.

This shift has materially reset fundraising expectations. Many first-time funds now take up to 24 months to raise, requiring longer planning horizons and sustained, relationship-driven engagement. At the same time, underwriting standards have tightened. While team and track record remain foundational, they are increasingly evaluated alongside clearly articulated strategies, demonstrated execution and repeatable value creation frameworks.

Anchor and seeded portfolios play an increasingly prominent role in accelerating firm formation, providing early momentum but introducing long-term economic considerations that must be carefully managed. In this environment, outperformance is increasingly driven by the accumulation of “micro edges” across sourcing, structuring, growth and exit execution rather than any single factor driving success.