Previous Events
Internal Event Lazard
Asset Management
We visited Lazard Asset Management at the Blue Tower in Brussels for an insightful deep dive into the world of asset management. As a globally recognized asset manager with over $259 billion in AuM, Lazard stands out for its long-standing expertise and active investment approach across a wide range of asset classes. During the session, we worked on a comprehensive case in which we analyzed and compared multiple funds, sharpening our understanding of portfolio construction and investment strategies.
Captiv Alumni Event
Networking
We hosted our annual Alumni Event, bringing together a distinguished group of alumni and active members for an inspiring evening. The evening was filled with meaningful conversations, shared insights, and, above all, a celebration of the strong community we continue to build together. It is inspiring to see the diverse career paths our alumni have taken and the valuable perspectives they bring back to our active members.
Internal Event Waterland
Private Equity
We visited Waterland Private Equity, one of our main partners, for a hands-on private equity case. As one of Europe’s leading independent private equity firms, Waterland stands out for its strong track record in supporting entrepreneurs and accelerating growth across its portfolio companies. During the session, we worked on an in-depth LBO case, applying our financial knowledge to better understand deal structuring and investment decision-making.
01/04/2026
Internal Event Nielen Schuman
M&A and debt advisory
We had the pleasure of hosting one of our main partners, Nielen Schuman for an in-depth session on M&A and Debt Advisory, exploring their specialized expertise across the Benelux. Focusing on the mid-market segment, we explored the technicalities of capital structuring and the critical trade-offs between bank financing and direct lending. The session concluded with a challenging LBO paper, where we were tasked with optimizing leverage and modeling the impact of debt structures on IRR and Money Multiples. This hands-on exercise pushed us to apply financial engineering principles to a real-world buy-and-build scenario, sharpening our ability to evaluate risk and return in complex transactions.
Internal Event Sofina
Private Equity
We visited Sofina, a publicly listed investment company that provides long-term capital and partners with businesses worldwide. During the visit, we gained valuable insights into Sofina’s investment platform, including Sofina Private Funds and Sofina Direct. With a market capitalization of around €8.8 billion, Sofina follows a disciplined, long-term investment strategy focused on five key sectors. We had the opportunity to develop and present investment theses on selected portfolio companies. This provided a practical perspective on evaluating opportunities and forming strategic recommendations.
Internal Event Movu
Robotics Industry
We had the pleasure of visiting Movu Robotics, part of the Stow Group, backed by private equity firm Blackstone, where we gained in-depth insights into the company’s advanced warehouse automation solutions. During the visit, we explored how innovative technologies are being deployed to optimize logistics operations, enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and scalability across global supply chains. We received valuable insights into the role of private equity within the group, with Blackstone as a key partner. The perspective shared by Jos De Vuyst offered a highly interesting view on the strategic and operational impact of private equity in a fast-growing international company.
13/03/2026
Paris Weekend
Teambuilding
What an inspiring and enriching weekend: combining valuable learning, great conversations and exploring Paris together.
Internal Event Ardian
Private Equity
We travelled to Paris to visit Ardian at their beautiful headquarters on Place Vendôme. As one of the world’s leading private markets investors, managing over €200B across private equity, private credit, infrastructure and real assets, Ardian shared valuable insights into its global investment approach and long-term value creation strategy.
Down 2 Earth Capital
Private Equity
Together with the team of Down 2 Earth Capital, we took a closer look at how their fund operates and gained valuable insights into their hands-on private equity approach. From understanding their investment philosophy to exploring the key elements behind their deals, it was an inspiring deep dive into their way of creating long-term value. We also touched on the fundamentals of LBOs: a great way to connect theory with real-world decision-making.
SAB Keynote David Holvoet
Guest Speaker
We had the pleasure to welcome David Holvoet for an inspiring keynote on global entrepreneurship. David’s story embodied the essence of global entrepreneurship: curiosity, resilience, and the courage to take bold steps. From starting his first business at 18 to building companies across continents, his journey sparked reflection and lively discussion among our members.
Internal Event Smile Invest
Private Equity
In collaboration with Smile Invest, we had the opportunity to dive into the world of private equity through a hands-on LBO case. Giving us a deeper understanding of the strategic and financial thinking behind successful investments. As a long-term investment company, Smile Invest focuses on partnering with ambitious growth companies that make a lasting impact through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Internal Event Blackrock
Asset Management
Our final internal event of the year took place at the BlackRock office in Brussels. BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager, known for its expertise in investment management, risk solutions, and innovative financial technology. They walked us through the ETF landscape, offering a clear view into the role and structure of ETFs in today’s investment world. The evening continued with a hands-on workshop: in small groups, we designed our own hypothetical ETFs and briefly pitched them to the BlackRock team. This interactive approach sparked creativity and deepened our understanding of the strategic thinking behind fund design. Many thanks to Elena Vannieuwenhuyse and Julie Libert for an inspiring and engaging evening!
Internal Event Rothschild & Co
Investment Banking
Captiv had the privilege of visiting the offices of Rothschild & Co in Brussels. Rothschild & Co. is one of the world’s leading independent financial advisory groups, with a history spanning more than two centuries. The firm is renowned for its expertise in M&A, strategy, and debt advisory on a global scale. We were welcomed with a comprehensive presentation by Raphaël de Groot and Jan-Karel Pinxten on Investment Banking and M&A, which gave us a great look into their work. We then had the opportunity to join a video call with Sebastian E. analyst at subsidiary Redburn, who spoke about macro-economic affairs and global markets. His deep dive into current trends and economic indicators sparked great discussion and broadened our perspective. The evening concluded with informal networking while the sun was setting; an inspiring and relaxed way to wrap up a fantastic visit! A heartfelt thank you to Rothschild & Co. for their generosity and valuable time in sharing their knowledge with us!
Internal Event Waterland
Private Equity
We had the opportunity to visit Waterland Private Equity at their Antwerp office. Waterland is a prominent European private equity firm, known for partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to drive growth, professionalization, and international expansion. With offices across Europe, they play a key role in helping businesses unlock their full potential. During our visit, the Waterland team hosted an enlightening session on their deal-making process, offering valuable insights into how they evaluate opportunities, create value, and recognize red flags along the way.
Captiv Alumni Event
Networking
Captiv brought together current members, alumni, and their plus ones for an unforgettable evening. We kicked things off with a fascinating and personal talk by Jo De Wolf, CEO of Montea, who shared not only insights from his impressive career, but also some valuable life lessons that definitely stuck with us. It set the perfect tone for the walking dinner that followed; a great chance to connect, catch up, and toast to good company. And because we weren’t quite ready to call it a night, we took over the Boule for some late-night dancing and drinks!
Internal Event Rivean Capital
Private Equity
A big thank you to Rivean Capital for providing an engaging, yet challenging private equity case for us to tackle! With extensive experience in guiding mid-market companies across Europe, Rivean Capital excels at fostering growth and unlocking long-term value through strategic collaboration and hands-on support. We are grateful for the opportunity to get to know the team and learn from your invaluable expertise in investing!
Internal Event Sofindev
Introduction to Private Equity
Captiv had the pleasure of welcoming Sofindev Private Equity Partners for an insightful session on the world of private equity. The event featured an engaging presentation on Sofindev’s approach to supporting small and medium-sized businesses, followed by an interactive case study that challenged us to apply what we learned. The evening wrapped up with informal networking over drinks, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations. A big thank you to the Sofindev team for sharing their expertise and providing valuable insights.
Internal Event Smartfin
Venture Capital
Captiv teamed up with Smartfin for an inspiring event that gave us plenty to think about. Smartfin, one of Europe’s top venture capital funds, focuses on helping innovative, tech-driven companies grow and succeed. We were thrilled to hear from Jürgen Ingels, who shared his experience in the investment world and gave us an inside look at the exciting world of tech startups. The event was full of great discussions and a deeper understanding of how Smartfin supports these companies. A big thank you to Smartfin for sharing their time and knowledge—it’s events like these that make a real impact on our community!
Internal Event Roland Berger
Commercial Due Diligence
Captiv had the privilege of hosting an engaging session with Roland Berger, a renowned global consultancy specializing in strategic business solutions. During the event, we collaborated on a thought-provoking case study and had the chance to connect and network with their team. A heartfelt thank you to the Roland Berger team for sharing their valuable insights and inspiring our members!
Captiv Info Event October 2024
Recruitment
Captiv recently opened its doors to ambitious students with a passion for investing during an engaging info session. The event offered a great chance to explore what we do and connect with our team. After an incredible application round, we’re excited to welcome 4 talented new members to our growing community!