THE AGENDA

Now in its fourth year, the Venture Debt Conference has been shaped by continuous feedback from the community. Each year, we refine the event agenda to reflect the most relevant topics and evolving dynamics of the venture lending market. The result is a program designed to deliver the information and perspective our audience values most. Below are some of the topics we’re working on for the 2026 event.

The New Rate Cycle: How the Current/Expected Interest Rate Environment Impacts Venture Debt Pricing and Structure

Discover how lenders are recalibrating spreads, covenants, and leverage terms to stay competitive in a persistent high-rate environment.

The Great Realignment: How a Fragmented Market Is Reshaping Tech Lending

Bank pullbacks and new entrants are redefining the competitive landscape—learn how non-bank lenders are capturing market share and setting new standards for deal terms.

Underwriting in an Age of Selectivity

With capital more discerning than ever, credit committees are sharpening focus on cash flow visibility, equity sponsor strength, and path-to-profitability metrics.

Mapping the Modern Lender Landscape

A comprehensive view of who’s actively lending in 2026—from banks and specialty finance firms to crossover credit funds and emerging platforms.

Innovative Lending Structures: Hybrid, Bridge, and Recurring-Revenue Lines

Explore how creative deal structures—from hybrid instruments to milestone-based draws—are providing borrowers flexibility and lenders attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Timing the Raise: Aligning Venture Debt with Equity and M&A Strategy

Understand how to strategically sequence debt alongside equity rounds, acquisitions, or recapitalizations to optimize liquidity and minimize dilution.

Optimizing Returns Through Warrants and Equity Kickers

A deep dive into how lenders are structuring equity participation to enhance yield, and how borrowers negotiate terms that align incentives for long-term success.

Continuation & Secondary Funds: Managing Liquidity Across Portfolios

Learn how GPs, LPs, and lenders are navigating longer hold periods through continuation vehicles and secondary transactions to sustain portfolio performance.

The 2026 Venture Debt Market Outlook: TAM, Sector Trends, and Capital Supply

A data-driven forecast of where the market is heading—highlighting sector growth drivers, deal volumes, and the evolving capital supply landscape.

Managing Risk and Recovery: Workouts, Restructurings, and Covenant Enforcement

Hear from experts on how to navigate distressed credit scenarios and implement best practices for managing downside risk in challenging markets.

The Regulatory and Policy Outlook for Venture Debt

Understand how proposed oversight of private credit could reshape compliance, risk disclosure, and lender reporting obligations.

Adjacent Credit Strategies: Litigation Finance, Royalty Streams & IP-Backed Lending

Explore how investors are diversifying across asset-backed and cash-flow-based lending opportunities adjacent to traditional venture debt.

Global Expansion: How Venture Debt Is Scaling Beyond the U.S.

Discover how venture debt is gaining traction in Europe, LATAM, and Asia, and how global capital flows are influencing deal structures and returns.

Comparing Venture Debt Instruments: From Term Loans to Convertible Hybrids

A practical breakdown of venture debt structures, repayment mechanics, and key differences across term loans, revenue lines, and hybrid notes.

Revenue-Based and Milestone-Based Financing Models

Understand how newer structures are giving early-stage and unpredictable revenue companies access to non-dilutive capital.

Sector Deep Dives: AI, Life Sciences, Clean Tech & Infrastructure

A focused look at where venture debt capital is flowing—and how sector-specific dynamics are shaping pricing and structure.

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