DLA: When and why did you found DealCatalyst?
Jade Friedensohn: We founded DealCatalyst in 2021 during the tail end of the pandemic. There were two main motivations for starting our own company. Firstly, there were management changes in our old firm, and we wanted to be in control of our own destiny and our creative direction. Secondly, it has been a childhood dream of mine to be an entrepreneur, and to experience the thrill of building something from the ground up.
DLA: How did you become involved in the financial industry? 
Jade Friedensohn: Chris and I met at our old company, Information Management Network, a subdivision of Euromoney Institutional Investor in 2003. We both worked in the structured finance division, first in junior roles and then eventually as co-heads of the group. My foray into financial services was accidental, having studied Animal Science in university and then attending Veterinary School for 2 years. I changed my career path to business management after realizing medicine was not for me. My finance professor introduced me to the Founder of IMN, and the rest is history.
DLA: What makes DealCatalyst’s conferences special compared to others?
Christopher Keeping: Our attention to detail. From the speaker and topic curation to the food and beverages served, we focus on quality with a particular attention on audience composition, and delivering best-in-class content. Our events are easier to navigate in terms of size and facilitating quality connections, and we always ensure a 1:1 ratio of service providers to potential clients. This is why our slogan is ‘Get Deals Done’.
DLA: Please give us a quick overview of Specialist Lender Finance in London in November and what visitors can expect from this event?
Christopher Keeping: Over 1,000 of the asset based finance community attend this event annually, with topics ranging from financing consumer loans to more esoteric assets like digital infrastructure and the role of private credit.
DLA: Who is coming and who is talking?
Jade Friedensohn: More than 25% of the audience is comprised of specialist lenders who are looking to optimize their funding structures through a combination of warehouse lending, forward flow agreements, and in some cases public ABS. Another 25% of the audience is comprised of investors (asset managers) in these platforms, as well as allocators who invest in those asset managers. The remainder are financial service providers including legal counsel, M&A transaction advisory firms, ratings agencies, technology and date providers, investment bankers, and financial advisors who service the fund manager and borrower community. Our speakers are c-suite executives from across the spectrum of attendee types, each with a deep understanding of the asset based finance market and its growth potential in Europe.
DLA: At a time when digital technologies and COVID-19 have helped virtual meetings achieve a breakthrough, how do you see the future of large on-site events?
Christopher Keeping: Nothing replaces in person connections. We firmly believe that business is best transacted with those whom you have a meaningful relationship and trust, and this is established through live connections. In this sense, we believe that conferences are not disrupted by technology, only enhanced.
DLA: What strategies are you pursuing to keep your events relevant and appealing?
Jade Friedensohn: Concierge meeting introductions, enhanced digital networking platforms, lots of onsite meeting spaces and a carefully curated audience to ensure that participants make the meaningful connections they are seeking.
DLA: What challenges are conference planners currently facing in the market?
Jade Friedensohn: Over saturation. There are many events claiming to cover the same or overlapping topics, and this can create a sense of fatigue and burnout for market participants.
DLA: What trends do you see in the congress sector?
Christopher Keeping: A move away from live streaming or digital delivery and a re-focus on in person connections. Also a big emphasis on helping attendees connect using software powered by AI.
DLA: What’s the biggest current opportunity for the conference industry? (>This question is also about technology, AI and things like this.)
Christopher Keeping: To use technology to enhance the in person experience, not to replace it. The more we can help people connect, the better the ROI. The conference industry needs to evolve beyond panel presentations and generic delegate lists, to a smarter platform that helps clients and providers connect with less friction and greater ease.
DLA: Thank you for the interview, Jade and Christopher. It’s great to partner with you guys!
Foto credits:
- Jade Friedensohn: DealCatalyst
- Christopher Keeping: DealCatalyst