Exciting Times at ACG St. Louis: Insights and Trends Shaping the Future of Finance

The Pulse of the Middle-Market Community

The discussions we had during the event highlighted a few recurring themes and priorities for mid-market businesses, private equity firms, and SaaS providers alike:

• Demand for Accessible KPIs: Mid-market businesses are increasingly eager for accessible, systematized KPIs to drive better decision-making and foster growth. Companies want tools that simplify financial and operational insights without the complexity of traditional systems.
• More Than Just AI: While AI technologies are revolutionary, businesses and investors are seeking providers that combine innovation with consistent support and human insight. Real relationships still matter, and service providers need to deliver value throughout the client’s journey.
• Data-Driven Investment Decisions: Now more than ever, investors are seeking better ways to secure financial and operational metrics that empower smarter, data-driven decisions. Having the right insights at the right time is critical for navigating today’s dynamic markets.

St. Louis’ capital markets investment community also stood out as strong, collaborative, and forward-thinking. It’s clear that this city is a hub for transformative ideas and partnerships in finance.

Reflections from the ACG St. Louis Breakfast Panel

On Day 2 of the event, a few of us at cofi.ai attended the Breakfast Panel: Trends and Opportunities in Private Equity and Capital Markets. The panel provided a wealth of knowledge and insight into the challenges and opportunities facing private equity and capital markets today. Here are some of the key themes discussed:

1. Resilience Amid Challenges

Despite the economic turbulence of 2024, middle-market businesses have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Panelists, including Patrick Nolan, shared optimism about smaller, founder-led companies’ ability to navigate challenges like tariffs and cost pressures as they move into 2025.

2. Operational Excellence as a Priority

Jenna Schlageter highlighted the increasing importance of strong leadership and deep industry expertise in tackling challenges such as margin erosion and rising labor costs. For private equity firms, the message was clear: operational fundamentals trump aggressive integrations in today’s landscape.

3. Long-Term Strategies and Sustainable Growth

With average holding periods for private equity portfolios extending to 6.1 years, the focus has shifted toward sustainable growth over quick exits. Panelists like Greg Siwak and Simon Crocker emphasized the need for relationship-driven approaches, especially as firms navigate high multiples, subdued equity returns, and financial pressures on consumers.

4. The AI Elephant in the Room

Interestingly, AI only surfaced during the Q&A portion of the panel. Recent developments, such as the massive Nvidia selloff sparked by Deepseek’s disruptive AI technology, have left many investors cautious about entering this space. However, we believe this presents an opportunity for forward-thinking firms to harness AI-driven efficiencies and insights that can transform decision-making and portfolio optimization.

cofi.ai’s Vision for the Future

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At cofi.ai, we’re inspired by these discussions and energized to continue helping private equity and asset management firms unlock value through advanced analytics and automation. Whether it’s simplifying portfolio monitoring or automating due diligence, our platform is designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s investment professionals.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

The ACG St. Louis event was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of finance. What trends or challenges are you seeing in private equity and capital markets as we approach 2025? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Together, let’s build smarter, more efficient financial ecosystems. If you missed connecting with us at the event, reach out—we’re always here to continue the conversation.

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