Academic ideas, market practice, and private capital

The Academic Conference of the inaugural Frankfurt Private Capital Symposium took place on 17 June 2026 at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. It brought together an outstanding international group of researchers to discuss the latest developments in private capital markets, with a particular focus on private debt, direct lending, venture debt, and private equity continuation vehicles.

Scholars from Harvard Business School, the London School of Economics, Dartmouth College, Carnegie Mellon University, Nova School of Business and Economics, and Frankfurt School presented new work and engaged in lively discussion with the audience. A particular highlight was the keynote address by Professor Victoria Ivashina (Harvard Business School), one of the world’s leading experts on private credit and financial intermediation. Her keynote, together with the paper presentations and discussions, examined how private capital markets are evolving, the growing role of non-bank lending, and the implications for financial stability, market design, and corporate financing.

Building a platform for research and practice

The inaugural Frankfurt Private Capital Symposium established a new platform for dialogue between academia, industry, and policymakers at a time when private capital is playing an increasingly important role in financing Europe’s transformation. By combining practitioner perspectives with rigorous academic research, the symposium fostered evidence-based discussion on the future of private markets and their contribution to economic growth, innovation, and financial resilience.

As a recurring annual event, the Frankfurt Private Capital Symposium will continue to strengthen the exchange between research and practice, creating a forum where new ideas, market developments, and policy challenges can be discussed by the people shaping the future of European finance.

Discover more about CfET's research on private capital in our Annual Report.