Buy now, pay less: M&A Strategy Forum 2026 interrogates why today's top dealmakers are getting pickier – and bolder.

Why do some companies consistently create value through acquisitions, while others never quite realise the investment thesis behind them? That question set the tone for the M&A Strategy Forum, held Thursday, 24 September 2026, at iO's Antwerp headquarters – an evening that delivered a masterclass from two of Belgium's most admired growth stories.

What keeps a renowned M&A lawyer energised after thirty years in the game? For Dirk Meeus, global co-head of M&A at A&O Shearman, it's never been about the paperwork. It's the complexity, the emotions and the sheer number of moving parts that make every deal irresistible – and his ability to hold onto the client's North Star amid all of it has made him one of Belgium's most respected dealmakers.

David Theys has spent more than 25 years moving through the world's financial capitals – in London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, Hong Kong – before settling, a decade ago, back in Belgium. Today he lives in Antwerp and is based close to Brussels, but his career reads like a map of global finance: investment banking, corporate finance, restructuring, debt advisory, valuation.

Andrea Foti, managing director and chief commercial officer EMEA at Aon’s M&A and Transaction Solutions, has spent more than two decades at the heart of M&A’s evolution – from investment banking to reshaping risk management in deals.

Investing in non-listed companies is very popular among entrepreneurs and family offices, especially now that real estate investments yield less and stock markets are volatile. Reason for Marktlink Capital to expand to Belgium with Vincent Germyns, a seasoned Belgian banking professional, in the lead.

70 percent of M&A transactions fail to deliver their promised value, and the culprit is rarely the numbers. It’s the people. From clashing cultures to disengaged teams, the human element is where even the most meticulously planned deals unravel. So how do leaders turn the tide? By treating the ‘soft stuff’ as the hard stuff.

Joachim Vansanten, Partner at Quanteus Group, believes that it’s possible to generate profit and create impact without compromising on either. With a hands-on approach, a strong focus on impact, and a long-term vision, the investment firm distinguishes itself in a market often dominated by short-term thinking.

Kinepolis Group (Euronext: KIN), the Belgian cinema chain, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 13 Showcase Cinemas from Harbor Lights Entertainment (formerly National Amusements Inc.), marking a significant expansion of its US footprint.

The opportunities and challenges of building a polycentric law firm in a traditionally centralized legal landscape.

A three-part approach to treasury in M&A, with each phase bringing its own challenges and opportunities.

On Wednesday April 29 in Brussels, the 13th edition of Vlerick Business School’s M&A Monitor gathered Belgium’s top dealmakers to dissect a market in transition.

His journey – from a struggling startup to a 40 million euros revenue group with 300 employees – underscores the transformative potential of a clear vision, smart acquisitions, and relentless innovation.

Which Belgian firms and M&A professionals were most active in the first quarter of 2026? The League Tables provide insight into the leading players across M&A Advisory & Financial Due Diligence (FDD), Legal Advisory, and Private Equity.

On Thursday, April 2, the Belgian M&A Community convened for its third gathering this year, this time at the sleek headquarters of PwC Belgium.

Michael Van Eenoo, Head of Corporate Finance at ING Belgium, on 2026’s two-speed market, the restructuring of ING’s corporate finance teams and the future of dealmaking.

From humble beginnings to global ambitions: The Belgian startup journey.

Patrick Putman’s advice is grounded in hard-won experience: "Involve IT early, plan for every scenario, and never underestimate the human and contractual dimensions of change."

Before the M&A Trend Forum officially kicked off at BDO Brussels, a select group of Belgian M&A directors gathered for an exclusive roundtable on one of the most pressing topics in dealmaking today: the impact of AI.

The first M&A Trend Forum of the year kicked off with a buzz at BDO Brussels, where Belgium’s sharpest dealmakers gathered to dissect the trends shaping 2026’s mergers and acquisitions landscape.

Exclusive insights from Magali Fiechter-Deloof, founder of Nextwire, on how AI is reshaping dealmaking, leadership, and post-merger integration. Her vision: “AI transformation is 90 percent people and 10 percent technology. The technology is the easy part. The leadership, the operating model, the culture, that's where real differentiation happens.”

Syndicate One, the international network-driven investment firm, has successfully closed an oversubscribed 22 million euros fund to further accelerate its mission of backing exceptional Belgian tech talent.

Which Belgian firms and dealmakers were most active in 2025? The League Tables provide insight into the leading players across M&A Advisory & Financial Due Diligence (FDD), Legal Advisory, and Private Equity.

In the run-up to the annual Private Equity Summit, MandA.be sat down with Thomas Lenné, Partner and Attorney at Law at Loyens & Loeff and one of the event’s speakers, to discuss the shifting landscape of Belgian M&A and private equity.

On Thursday, 4 December 2025, the Belgian M&A world converged in dazzling style at Paleis/Palais 10 in Brussels for the eighth edition of the M&A Awards Belgium. Nearly 1,000 leading dealmakers – from corporate finance to private equity and venture capital – gathered under one roof to celebrate a year of transformative transactions, bold strategies, and visionary leadership.

The appointment of Joost Schardijn as partner at Smile Sail marks a new chapter for the young investment firm. For him, too, it is a return to familiar waters: the world of software, strategy, and growth. “I wasn’t really looking for a new opportunity”, he says. “But then a headhunter reached out. The timing, the people, the ambition – it all just connected.”

The M&A Community Belgium proudly announces the establishment of its advisory board, a select group of leading professionals from across the dealmaking spectrum. Bringing together expertise from corporate finance, private equity, law, academia, and industry, the board will guide the Community’s strategic direction, foster collaboration, and ensure that Belgium’s M&A ecosystem continues to evolve with insight and impact.

During the recent Private Equity Summit, a roundtable discussion took place on a provocative topic: Is ESG dead? How do investment managers perceive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles today? Is it just a passing trend, or is it transforming into something new?

How team.blue is rapidly building a European ecosystem for SMB software.

Belgium’s M&A market continues to show resilience in 2025, with deal activity remaining strong in the mid-market and private equity segments.

On Thursday 23rd, the M&A Community Belgium hosted the second edition of the Private Equity Summit, once again a resounding success. Over 150 fund managers and industry experts came together to network and exchange ideas on how private equity firms must evolve to stay competitive, relevant, and impactful over the next five years and beyond.

AI is fundamentally reshaping the world of consulting — including in M&A. For decades, the classic “pyramid” model dominated (large groups of juniors collecting data and building models, supported by a small top of senior partners). That model is now being undermined by AI.

Despite talk of a quiet M&A market, Belgian companies have been involved in a string of billion-euro transactions this year. From insurance and real estate to biotech, shipping, and frozen fries, the country’s corporate landscape has seen several landmark deals in 2025. Below we highlight the 10 biggest Belgian deals so far, based on data from Dealmakerdata.be.

Belgium’s Carmeuse Group has acquired a controlling stake of 97.1 percent in Cementos Bío Bío S.A. (CBB), a Chilean industrial group listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange. The public tender offer closed on 11 September 2025, with results published today in Chile.

Belgian energy company EnergyVision has made its stock market debut on Euronext Brussels, becoming the first Belgian company to go public in four years. Founders Maarten Michielssens, Hassan Mourhit, and Koen Decourt rang the opening bell this morning at 9:00 a.m., officially launching the company’s IPO under the ticker symbol ENRGY.

First Belgian League Tables reveal key players in the first six months of the year.

In a recent and widely discussed LinkedIn post, Axel Desmedt, President of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA), reignited debate in the antitrust and M&A communities by calling for the introduction of a ‘call-in power’ in Belgium. Desmedt argues that the country urgently needs a mechanism that allows the authority to review acquisitions that fall below existing merger control thresholds but could still harm competition.

From a modest Belgian startup to a fast-scaling European tech player, Dstny is transforming how small and mid-sized businesses communicate in an increasingly digital, AI-driven world. In this in-depth conversation, CEO and co-founder Daan De Wever shares how strategic acquisitions, a bold shift to software, and a clear focus on AI innovation are shaping the company’s future.

In a period marked by bold moves and decisive strategy, What’s Cooking Group has reshaped its business with two major transactions that signal a clear shift in direction. The sale of its long-standing savoury (charcuterie) division and the acquisition of French ready-meal producer Sveltic mark the company’s exit from a consolidating and challenging meat market in favor of a high-potential growth segment: ready meals.

The evolving M&A Insurance industry is increasingly capable to provide added value to the processes. In a conversation with Bernard Poncin and Paul Schouten from Aon’s Belgian M&A team, we explore how these highly specialized insurance products are helping buyers and sellers manage uncertainty, protect value, and accelerate deal timelines.

On Wednesday, May 14, a large number of Belgian M&A professionals and investors gathered at Vlerick Business School for the annual presentation of the Belgian M&A Monitor. Led by Professor Mathieu Luypaert of the Centre for Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts, the report captures the collective insight of 156 Belgian M&A professionals, shedding light on recent trends, market sentiment, and deal-making dynamics across the country.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are often driven by strategic growth ambitions, cost synergies, and market expansion. However, while financials and operations are scrutinized extensively, cultural integration frequently remains an afterthought. This oversight can result in failed deals, high turnover rates, and diminished value creation. To understand why culture is often overlooked and how dealmakers can better manage it, we spoke with Koen van Gulck, an expert in M&A culture integration.

In the management classic ‘Never Split the Difference’ by Chris Voss, the former FBI negotiator argues that to be a top negotiator, above all, you need a deep understanding of human emotions – and the ability to use that knowledge effectively.

Here’s a breakdown of the key lessons that can help M&A professionals make better deals and drive long-term value.

Niek Kolkman and Bart Veenman, M&A and AI-experts at KPMG Netherlands, delve into the various ways in which AI is currently reshaping deal processes. The gains in efficiency and insights are remarkable, but the continuing involvement of human judgment remains a crucial factor.

The M&A landscape for the upcoming year is set to face significant challenges, as highlighted by insights from the M&A Trend Survey Benelux 2024/2025 from M&A and Ansarada.

Optimal integration practices after acquisitions are still more of an exception than the rule.

For dealmakers aiming to drive acquisition success, a number of priorities stand out as essential.

Insights from PwC Belgium's private equity leaders.

Not cultural clashes, but an overestimation of synergies is the greatest challenge in value creation.

Valuations in the Benelux M&A market set to hold steady over the next 12 months.

Insights and predictions from Benelux top dealmakers.

The Benelux M&A market is poised for an active year in 2025, with varying expectations across different types of corporate deal activity.

Belgian unicorn Deliverect strengthens its position in FoodTech with the strategic acquisition of Tabesto.

The 7th Annual M&A Awards Belgium was a night to remember, bringing together the finest dealmakers, investors, and corporate leaders from across the country.

Top dealmakers from the Benelux share their views on the M&A climate and their expectations for 2025.

Countless insights from top dealmakers now available for free and without registration.

The main insights from the panel discussion at Loyens & Loeff's ‘The Future of Private Equity’ event.

Standout topics were the liquidity squeeze and the growing influence of private wealth in private equity.

Economic challenges and opportunities for Europe: Peter De Keyzer’s take on Mario Draghi’s vision.

PwC Belgium presents insights from Recent Trends in M&A Survey at key event…

After the recent Belgian acquisition of Dokeos Limited, Lyvia Group is searching for more Benelux deals.

French-Swiss manager wants to democratize private equity in the Benelux.

A conversation with Katrin Geyskens: Pioneering venture capital and embracing innovation.

One of the most transformative changes in the M&A field is the impact of AI and technology.

Carbon Equity co-founders are optimistic in climate technology's future.

An Interview with Veronique Elskens from Robert Half Executive Search.

Opportunities amidst private equity overallocation and fewer exits

Value creation in M&A and investing: Insights from Koen Hoffman, CEO of Value Square.

Proximus Group's vision to dominate the global digital communications market.

Cash flows provide a true reflection of a company's financial health…

The evolving landscape of financing for mergers and acquisitions.

There is little evidence that M&A actually works, says professor Killian McCarthy.

Day one insights from a world-class course.

In this exclusive interview, Philippe Craninx delves into the evolving landscape of corporate finance.

In Paul Van Hooghten’s long career, many legal trends have emerged, significantly impacting M&A practices.

How a people-driven approach leads to more value creation within M&A transactions.

A compelling outlook on the anticipated trends and challenges shaping the Belgian M&A sphere for 2024.

With upcoming elections in 2024, the BVA plans to engage policymakers and clarify the role of private equity.

Measuring impact is a crucial part of sustainable finance, and a massive challenge.

A unique proposition in the Belgian private equity landscape.

Business builders who help entrepreneurs realize their vision: that is the passion of 3d investors.

"If things do not flare up further geopolitically, we are optimistic about 2024."

Highlights from the Trend Survey 2024 by M&A and Ansarada.

MandA.be discusses the most important M&A trends at the moment with Koen Clukkers & Sebastiaan Preckler from Deloitte Belgium.

Tips for increasing success in business integrations.

Nancy De Beule & Véronique Gillis from PwC are looking back and ahead.

With a takeover announcement, the stock market effects of the targets typically increase by 20 to 30 percent.

More selective targeting and better pre-deal preparation are most often mentioned.

"There has been more realism in the market."

M&A as the best way to secure long-term viability, according to a new PwC report.

More than 30 percent of M&A professionals see financing as 'challenging' in 2024.

ESG will most often receive extra attention in due diligence processes in the next twelve months.