Meet RBI’s Financial Sponsor Group - PE Insights Warsaw and 0100 Emerging Europe in Budapest

RBI’s Financial Sponsor Group (FSG) recently participated in two major industry events—0100 Emerging Europe in Budapest and PE Insights Warsaw—engaging with leading private equity and private debt professionals across the region. With many attendees already part of RBI’s client network, both events offered valuable opportunities to strengthen existing relationships, form new ones, and gain insights from key players shaping the private capital landscape.

0100 Emerging Europe in Budapest featured over 130 senior-level speakers, including RBI’s Klaus Imhof, Head of M&A, who participated in a panel discussion on "Trends in the M&A Market in Emerging Europe in 2025–2026" alongside other industry leaders. Klaus shared insights on the roles and impacts of strategic versus financial buyers in driving competitive deal activity, macroeconomic trends shaping the M&A landscape, and how private equity funds are influencing deal dynamics, valuations, and exit strategies. Benjamin Epstein also represented RBI, moderating a panel on “Future of Late-Stage VCs: A New Era of Growth and Innovation in Emerging Europe.” His session explored whether local or global VCs are better positioned to drive innovation in the region, strategies for scaling amid talent shortages, and the challenges of pursuing IPOs versus M&A exits in underdeveloped capital markets. The conference stood out for its strong presence of senior decision-makers, making it a valuable platform for impactful, high-level discussions.

PE Insights Warsaw, the largest GP–LP forum in CEE, brought together leading voices from firms like MCI, Advent International, and MidEuropa to explore the forces shaping private equity in the region. Discussions examined why the CEE M&A market continues to attract international sponsors, how GPs can navigate today’s challenging fundraising climate, and what truly drives alpha in an increasingly competitive landscape. Panel discussions explored the rise of growth equity and tech investments—are they fueling real innovation or simply driving up valuations?—while family offices offered insights into how their strategies are evolving in today’s shifting private market landscape. The event offered a strong mix of market perspective and actionable ideas, making it a standout in the regional PE calendar.

Following the conferences, we’re proud to introduce the team behind this—a dedicated, multi-disciplinary group driving RBI’s sponsor strategy and reinforcing our position in the European private capital space.

FSG supports over 120 sponsor clients with integrated, end-to-end solutions across M&A, Fund Finance, ESG, and Capital Markets, serving as a gateway to RBI’s full institutional offering.

2024 was a record year for FSG, marked by innovative structuring and strong client partnerships. Notably, the team achieved a deal volume of over €400 million in renewable energy transactions in Romania and Serbia, in collaboration with an emerging markets manager.

With decades of combined experience, the team brings deep expertise, senior-level execution, and a strong client-first mindset to every mandate. They liken their approach to Mission: Impossible—not because the challenges are unattainable, but because they consistently deliver solutions to the most complex tasks. What sets FSG apart is its hands-on, relationship-driven approach—a strong contrast to the more transactional models still common in the industry.