Conference Agenda
7:30-8:30
Light breakfast and coffee
8:30-8:50
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Welcome to Attendees:
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair of MBP Global
Three Paths to Public Status for Europe’s Growth Companies:
Crocker Coulson, AUM Advisors
Welcomes the attendees and sponsors and provides an overview of the U.S. IPO market, the growing interest among U.S. investors in Europe’s next generation of growth companies, and the challenges and success factors for U.S. listings across traditional IPOs, SPAC Mergers, and Direct Listings.
8:50-9:20
State of the U.S. SPAC IPO and de-SPAC Markets: Where we are in 2026
Speaker:
Brandon Sun, Head of SPAC Investment Banking, Cohen & Company Capital Markets
Overview of most recent trends in the SPAC IPO market, what deal terms sponsors can expect to see, what deals are attracting PIPE financing, and the dynamics between sponsors, targets, and financing providers.
9:20-10:00
Keynote Fireside Chat: Kyivstar and the European SPAC Renaissance
The team from Kyivstar Group, Ukraine’s leading digital operator, discusses their decision to go public via a merger with Betsy Cohen’s Cohen Circle Acquisition Corp. I. The panel will explore lessons learned from this highly successful transaction, strategy to develop a strong following as a new public company, and the outlook for additional listings from Ukraine.
Interviewer:
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Speakers:
Boris Dolgushin, Strategic Adviser to CEO, Kyivstar Group
Zeze Ikhinmwin, Head of Legal, Kyivstar Group
Olena Ksenich, Director, Kyivstar Group
Inna Starinets, CFO, Tabletki.ua
10:00-10:45
Sourcing Deal Flow in Europe - Where Are the Best Targets?
Where are the concentrations of unicorn companies that U.S. investors would be eager to own? What are the local constraints that may influence interest and readiness for a listing on Nasdaq or NYSE? What are the post-war opportunities in Ukraine?
Moderator:
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Speakers:
Stephen O’Reilly, Managing Director, Anne Martina
Conor Patton, Managing Director, Anne Martina
Halldor Thorsteinsson, Managing Director, New Iceland
Gary Quin, Vice Chairman, Cohen & Company
Doug Ward, CEO, Spac.com
N. Håkan Wohlin, Founder and Managing Partner, KingsRock Advisors, LLC.
10:45-11:00
The Case for European Companies to Think Globally
Dr. Josef Ackermann, former CEO of Deutsche Bank, shares his thoughts on the state of Europe's innovation economy and why companies are turning to U.S. listings for deeper analyst coverage, specialized buy-side expertise, and access to follow-on rounds of capital.
Speakers:
Dr. Josef Ackermann, former CEO of Deutsche Bank
11:00-11:25
Coffee & Networking Break
11:25-11:50
LEGAL KEYNOTE: Legal Framework for European SPACs and de-SPACs
An overview of the key legal considerations that any potential SPAC sponsor or private company contemplating a SPAC merger needs to be aware of, from one of the premier practitioners in the field. An update on the most recent regulatory changes from the SEC and how they impact structuring and process for deals going forward.
Speaker:
Doug Ellenoff, Partner, Ellenoff Grossman & Schole
11:50-12:35
A Guide for SPAC Sponsors: Legal, Accounting, Financing, and Deal Terms
What are the key ingredients for a successful SPAC IPO? What can sponsors expect in terms of required risk capital, warrant or rights coverage, and sponsor economics? What role do key advisors play in accelerating time to market? How do you build a successful franchise of repeat deals?
Moderator:
Drew Bernstein, Co-Chair of MBP Global
Speakers:
Samy Hammad, President, Newhold Investment Corp I-IV
Ken Harris, Partner, MBP Global
Andrei Sirabionian, Partner, McGuireWoods LLP
Marc Van Tricht, Investment Banking, EarlyBird Capital
Alison Yablonowitz, Partner, Calabrese Consulting LLC
12:35-13:15
The Investor Perspective: What Institutions Want from European SPAC IPOs
Learn from some of the most active investors in both SPAC IPOs and de-SPACs: which elements lead to favorable terms in a SPAC IPO and are more likely to keep capital in trust at the close. What sectors and regions do they find attractive and why?
Moderator:
Paul Wood, Managing Director, Co-Head of SPAC Investment Banking, BTIG
Speakers:
Asad Hussaini, Partner, SCAF
Paulina Wolyniec, Associate Portfolio Manager, LMR Partners LLP
13:15
Luncheon is Served
13:45 PM
Luncheon Keynote: Exchange Update on Latest Listing Requirements
Learn about the changes to listing requirements on U.S. exchanges, practical implications of discretionary listing authority, and trends in the IPO and secondary markets in the U.S. in 2026.
Speaker:
Julia Makhonina, New York Stock Exchange
14:15-15:00
De-SPAC Execution on the Clock
Once the BCA is signed and announced, both the target company and the SPAC sponsor have limited time to complete the SEC registration process and close the deal. Delays can reduce trust capital, miss PIPE opportunities, trigger expensive extension fees, lose deal momentum, and lead to delisting to the OTC markets. These experts provide a roadmap to close a deal on time, with growth capital wired to the company at closing.
Moderator:
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Speakers:
David Andrada, Partner, Hall Chadwick
Mike Blankenship, International Capital Markets Co-Chair, Winston Taylor
Alexandra (Ali) Low, Partner, Appleby (Cayman) Ltd.
Jason Preisler, Partner, MBP Global
Guarav Verma, Co-Head of Investment Banking Partner at D. Boral Capital
15:00-15:45
Deep Tech Europe: Quantum, AI & Energy Security Going IPO via SPAC
Deep Tech companies from Europe are having a moment in the sun as sectors including quantum, nuclear energy, cyber, and defense tech are commanding strong valuations and liquidity in the US markets.
Moderator:
Doug Ward, CEO, Spac.com
Speakers:
Markus Pflitsch, CEO, Terra Quantum
Blair Robertson, Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, IQM
16:10-16:35
Structuring, Pricing & Closing: Lessons from Recent Transactions
An in-depth look at the critical final stages of the de-SPAC transaction, including meeting Nasdaq and NYSE listing requirements, securing the vote in favor of the transaction, and managing for redemptions. What work needs to be done early on to ensure a favorable close, and which deal structures can damage stock performance and financing options post-closing? When does dual listing on a European exchange make sense and how does that impact the process?
Moderator:
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Speakers:
David Bull, CFO, OpenPayd
Gianfranco Imperato, CEO, Trasteel
Kristi Marvin, Founder/CEO, SPAC Insider
Adam Namoury, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP
Elliott Smith, Capital Markets Partner, Ashurst Perkins Coie
15:45-16:05
Coffee & Networking Break
16:35-17:10
Life After De-SPAC: IR, Research Coverage, and Follow-on Capital Raising
By contrast with traditional IPOs, de-SPACs typically begin life as public companies with no research coverage and minimal institutional holdings. Learn what it takes to build liquidity in the stock, secure research coverage, attract retail investors, and build institutional sponsorship. From investor conferences to NDRs and options for raising the next round of growth financing via shelf offerings, ATMs, and convertibles.
Moderator:
Joseph M. Lucosky, Managing Partner, Lucosky Brookman LLP
Crocker Coulson, CEO, AUM Advisors
Gary Simanson, Chief Executive Officer, Thunder Bridge Capital Partners V, Ltd.
17:10-17:15
Closing Remarks and Thanks
Crocker Coulson, AUM Advisors
17:30- 19:30
Cocktail Reception and Hors d’Oeuvres
Sponsored by EarlyBirdCapital