Rise & Shine Ad Tech: Time For ATS London/MadTechMoney
After a sleepy Summer, we have returned in time for Q4 mania. We had a brief hiatus. But the FirstPartyCapital Newsletter is back with a vengeance. So, let’s keep this preamble brief. Onwards.
MadTechMoney Takes Place On September 09 - Book Your Ticket Today
We merged MadTechMoney with ATS London this year. It was a no-brainer, really. We had Rachel Smith, CEO at EchangeWire, on the most recent edition of The FPC Podcast to discuss this merger and more.
You can listen to the most recent edition here:
The pod also discussed the panels/content we are looking forward to at the upcoming MadTechMoney event, ranging from debt financing to PE trends to scaling/exiting strategies.
This year's event features a top-class list of speakers. Below is a taster of both the MadTechMoney agenda and speakers:
12:00 PM: Smart Money Moves: How Strategic Buying Shapes the Future of AdTech and Marketing Tech
This panel explores how strategic buyers influence the investment and M&A landscape, shaping the future of ad tech and martech. Experts will discuss key considerations for corporate development, from market consolidation to identifying high-value opportunities. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving role of strategic acquisitions.
Speakers:
Lara O’Reilly, Senior Correspondent, Business Insider
Andrew Casale, President & CEO, Index Exchange
12:30 PM: From Potential to Portfolio: How PE Identifies High Value Companies
This panel demystifies how PE firms assess, acquire, and scale high-value companies. Experts will break down what makes a business attractive to PE, the timing of acquisitions, and the key financial and operational metrics investors prioritise. Attendees will gain practical insights into the strategies PE firms use to unlock value
Speakers:
Ciaran O’Kane, General Partner, FirstPartycapital
Dylan Kearns, Managing Director, Tech Investment Banking, Canaccord Genuity
Simon Nicholls, Partner, GP Bullhound
Catherine Crawley-Boevey, Partner, Highstead Partners
David Andrews, Partner, LDC
2:30 PM: The Future of Lending in Ad Tech and Media
This session will spotlight the role in unlocking growth through debt lending, an essential financial lever for companies across the advertising and media ecosystem. This session will explore how debt financing supports scalability, working capital, and long-term sustainability in a space often dominated by equity narratives. The discussion will unpack the nuances of lending in this sector, share real-world examples, and provide guidance for founders and operators navigating capital needs in a rapidly evolving market.
Speakers:
Rachel Smith, Co-Founder & CEO, ExchangeWire
Kevin Flood, General Partner, FirstPartyCapital
James Ryall, COO, FirstPartyFinance
Ruben Niet, CEO, DigitalAudience
3:00 PM: Show Me the Money: Raising & Scaling Beyond Series A
This panel dives into series A funding and beyond, exploring how startups can attract investors, secure growth capital, and scale effectively. Experts will discuss where to find the right investors, strategies for securing funding, and how to appeal to both industry specialists and generalist investors. Attendees will gain actionable insights into navigating the various funding stages and understanding the key factors that different types of investors look for.
Speakers:
Kristina Prokop, Investor & Advisor, Independent
Rich Ashton, Managing Partner, FirstPartyCapital
Martin Jensen, Vice President of Partnerships, Kevel
Josh Mortensen, Chief Marketing Officer, Digiseg
We are looking forward to hosting the great and good of ad tech next week. If you are experiencing acute ad tech FOMO, there is still time to get a ticket.
You can register here: https://events.exchangewire.com/ATSLondon2025#/buyTickets/selectTickets?lang=en.
And that’s it for this edition. Have a great ad tech day, and perhaps we will see you - in person - at ATS London.