Best of LinkedIn: Strategy, M&A & Investments

Best of LinkedIn: Venture Capital CW 23/ 24

Decoding AI-Led Capital Concentration, Hardware’s Resurgence and the New Rules of Venture Funding We curate most relevant posts about Venture Capital on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. We at Frenus support General Partners in identifying relevant Limited Partners across multiple sources, researching tailored connection strategies, coordinating event participation, and executing structured outreach campaigns that convert cold lists into meaningful conversations and committed capital. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/account-based-lp-engagement-from-database-to-committed-capital [https://www.frenus.com/usecases/account-based-lp-engagement-from-database-to-committed-capital] This edition comprises a series of actionable insights, market reports, and strategic updates focused on the global venture capital landscape in 2026. Experts examine the dominance of AI, which now captures the majority of investment value, while highlighting a significant resurgence in hardware and physical-world technologies. The texts offer practical guidance for founders on optimising round design, navigating complex term sheet clauses, and leveraging niche investor networks such as family offices and connected angels. Geographic deep dives reveal untapped potential in Italy and legal hurdles facing the European ecosystem, alongside discussions on the widening performance gap between elite and struggling funds. Furthermore, the collection explores the evolving role of VC platform functions and the necessity for transparency regarding realised cash returns over theoretical paper markups. Collectively, these perspectives provide a comprehensive framework for participants navigating a capital-constrained yet technologically transformative era of company building. This podcast was created via Google Notebook LM.

Best of LinkedIn: SuperReturn International 2026

SuperReturn International 2026: From DPI Pressure to AI-Driven Value Creation We curate most relevant posts about Strategy, M&A & Investments on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. This edition gives a comprehensive summary of the SuperReturn International 2026 conference in Berlin, an event that gathered thousands of global private capital leaders representing $50 trillion in assets. The source highlights an industry-wide shift from speculative storytelling to a strict focus on tangible returns and liquidity, frequently noted through the phrase "DPI is the new IRR." Key discussions focused on the economic realities of AI, the stabilisation of software valuations, and the increasing importance of private credit as a foundational asset class. Beyond finance, the text outlines how geopolitical volatility and defence requirements have become central to investment strategies, moving from background concerns to core components of the investment thesis. It also addresses significant trends in secondaries and operational value creation as traditional exit routes remain constrained. Finally, the report touches upon the evolving landscape of diversity within the sector and the practicalities of networking during this massive industry gathering. This podcast was created via Google NotebookLM.

Best of LinkedIn: M&A Insights CW 23/ 24

The New M&A Playbook: AI, Integration & Value Creation in 2026 We curate most relevant posts about M&A Insights on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. Against that backdrop, CDD engagements don't forgive slow starts. We embed directly into your consulting team as a white-label market and competitive intelligence partner, slide-ready, fully adapted to your client's design, and operational within 24 hours. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/cdd-market-intelligence-embedded-white-label-ready-in-24-hours [https://www.frenus.com/usecases/cdd-market-intelligence-embedded-white-label-ready-in-24-hours] In this edition, the collection of strategic insights provides a comprehensive overview of the 2026 M&A landscape, emphasizing that success is driven by operational discipline rather than just financial engineering. The sources highlight that cultural integration and early preparation are the primary reasons deals either create or destroy value. Emerging trends reveal that artificial intelligence is becoming a critical driver for acquisitions, while private equity is increasingly outbidding strategic buyers in the mid-market. Expert contributors stress the importance of revenue quality, specialized advisory teams, and building long-term trust well before a transaction occurs. Sector-specific reports indicate a robust recovery in biopharma, fintech, and infrastructure, where scale and technology are essential for survival. Ultimately, the consensus suggests that the most successful acquirers treat M&A as a continuous learning system rather than a series of isolated transactions. This podcast was created via Google Notebook LM.

Best of LinkedIn: Strategy & Consulting CW 22/ 23

Enterprise AI at Scale: Governing Autonomous Systems, Strengthening Human Judgment, and Building Resilient Execution Models We curate most relevant posts about Strategy & Consulting on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. This edition explores the strategic shift from AI experimentation to enterprise-scale execution, highlighting that the primary bottleneck is now human judgment and leadership rather than the technology itself. Experts warn that over-reliance on automation risks creating "psychological debt" in junior professionals, as the ability to interrogate AI outputs becomes the new professional moat. Beyond software, the texts address structural resilience in global supply chains, banking, and geopolitics, arguing that strategic agility is essential in an era of persistent volatility. Various reports and corporate updates announce significant alliances and investments, such as the integration of frontier models into professional service platforms, to move AI from a side tool into the core operating model. Ultimately, the collection posits that future competitive advantage will belong to organisations that can responsibly govern autonomous agents while maintaining deep human relationships and execution capabilities. Through financial analysis and leadership insights, the authors conclude that transparency and decision architecture are the fundamental requirements for navigating this technological and economic transformation. This podcast was created via Google Notebook LM.

Best of LinkedIn: Private Equity Insights CW 22/ 23

Private Equity Today: Creating Value in a Longer-Hold Environment We curate most relevant posts about Private Equity on LinkedIn and regularly share key takeaways. We at Frenus support PE-backed manufacturers with the market intelligence needed to unlock revenue from idle production capacity. You can find more info here: https://www.frenus.com/usecases/unlock-revenue-from-idle-production-capacity [https://www.frenus.com/usecases/unlock-revenue-from-idle-production-capacity] In this edition, reports highlight a fundamental shift in private equity as firms move away from financial engineering toward a model defined by operational execution and technological maturity. With average holding periods stretching toward seven years, sponsors are increasingly reliant on AI-driven value creation and structured leadership talent to drive returns in a cautious market. While liquidity remains a primary concern, the rise of continuation vehicles and secondary markets is providing essential infrastructure for capital circulation. Institutional interest is also pivoting toward tangible assets like infrastructure and energy, alongside a growing emphasis on private wealth access through platforms like ELTIF 2.0. Ultimately, success in this cycle depends on rigorous due diligence, early exit preparation, and the ability to turn proprietary data into a defensible competitive moat. This podcast was created via Google Notebook LM.