SuperReturn International 2025: Private Equity’s Roadmap to the Future

Rising Edge Europe/Amaniki was present at SuperReturn International 2025 in Berlin, one of the world’s premier gatherings for private equity and venture capital professionals. Here Niki Demirbilek shares key takeaways from the conference.

The Event in Numbers

Over 5,500 senior leaders from more than 70 countries convened at the InterContinental Berlin to discuss the forces shaping private equity and venture capital today. The prevailing message was clear: adapt to current realities or risk falling behind.

Liquidity Challenges Remain Front and Center

Liquidity continues to be a major concern. Traditional exit routes like IPOs and strategic M&A have slowed significantly, leaving firms with aging portfolios and limited exit options. As a result, GP-led secondaries and NAV-based financing have become crucial tools to manage liquidity and provide flexibility. The consensus: creative exit structuring is now essential rather than optional.

The Growing Role of Warranty & Indemnity (W&I) Insurance

A significant enabler in today's complex deal environment is the increased use of Warranty & Indemnity insurance. W&I insurance plays a pivotal role in facilitating smoother transactions by providing protection against breaches of warranties and indemnities given by the seller. This insurance helps bridge trust gaps between buyers and sellers, reduces negotiation time, and limits seller liability, ultimately accelerating deal closings.

At SuperReturn 2025, the impact of W&I insurance was evident many private equity firms highlighted how it helps manage risks, supports deal certainty, and improves capital efficiency. The ability to transfer certain risks to insurers allows parties to structure deals more creatively, unlocking new opportunities even in challenging markets.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

AI was a standout theme. Once considered a future possibility, artificial intelligence is now actively transforming how firms source deals, conduct due diligence, manage risk, and optimize portfolio value. Managers shared practical examples of AI automating processes and improving insights—providing a clear competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market.

Specialisation as Strategy

Sector-focused strategies gained prominence. In uncertain macroeconomic conditions, LPs prefer managers with deep expertise in areas such as technology, healthcare, and energy. Specialised firms are perceived as more agile and insightful, while generalists face growing skepticism from investors.

Private Credit’s Continued Momentum

Private credit remains a strong growth area, now exceeding €1.5 trillion in assets under management. LPs are increasing allocations to private credit due to its attractive yields and structural flexibility, especially as public markets remain volatile and traditional lending tightens.

ESG and Climate Take Center Stage

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have shifted from optional to mandatory. Institutional investors demand thorough ESG integration, particularly around climate risk and sustainability. The conference underscored the climate transition as a major long-term opportunity, with increasing capital flowing into renewable energy, circular economy models, and impact investing.

Industry Consolidation Accelerates

Consolidation is gathering pace. Larger firms are acquiring smaller managers to achieve scale and operational efficiencies. For many GPs, mergers or acquisitions have become strategic necessities driven by LPs’ preference for fewer, larger, and more capable partners.

The Growing Influence of Family Offices

Family offices are evolving, increasingly building in-house teams to source and manage direct investments. This reflects a desire for greater control, transparency, and alignment with unique family objectives.

A Week of Summits and Connections

SuperReturn 2025 featured specialised summits focusing on Women in Private Markets, ESG, Private Debt, Private Wealth, and German Private Equity. These sessions provided in-depth insights into emerging sub-sectors.

Networking was a highlight, with over 150,000 meetings facilitated through the event’s app. The atmosphere was vibrant, combining serious business discussions with memorable social events featuring artists like Fatboy Slim and Flo Rida.

Looking Ahead

SuperReturn International 2025 was more than just a conference. It was a snapshot of an industry in transition. Private capital is navigating macroeconomic headwinds, regulatory changes, and technological disruption. The message from Berlin is hopeful: the industry is ready to evolve, innovate, and lead into the future.

Tools like Warranty & Indemnity insurance will continue to play a critical role in this evolution, helping firms manage risks, close deals faster, and allocate capital more efficiently amid ongoing uncertainty.