A Leveraged Buyout (LBO) is the acquisition of a company using a significant amount of borrowed money to meet the purchase price. Private equity firms commonly execute LBOs. They partner with investment banks to raise loans and take over target companies, increasing their debt. Cash flow from the acquired company helps repay the debt over time. Companies purchased through LBOs are attractive targets for operational improvements and cash flow growth to pay off the loans. Improved performance also increases the value of the private equity firm’s equity stake. LBOs allow private equity investors to maximize returns through financial engineering. However, high debt loads incurred in LBOs also raise the risk of bankruptcy if cash flows falter.
Ahead of her appearance at 0100 DACH in February, Daisy Cai, General Partner at B Capital, reflects on deep tech beyond the label—and where frontier innovation becomes enduring value.
AI is no longer a fringe technology—it is rapidly reshaping entire industries, from climate and energy to industrial operations and enterprise software. Yet as competition intensifies and barriers to entry fall, the question facing venture investors is no longer whether to invest in AI, but how to identify companies capable of generating durable, long-term value. In this interview, Jeremy Brown, Principal & Head of Climate at Anthemis, shares his perspective on evaluating AI businesses beyond the hype, drawing on his experience at the intersection of AI, climate, and complex industrial markets, and setting the stage for a broader discussion with fellow investors on where real opportunity—and real risk—now lies in AI venture capita
he third edition of 0100 International — organized by Zero One Hundred Conferences in partnership with the Milan City Council’s Department of Economic Development and Milano&Partners — brought together the global private markets community for a high-signal, execution-focused gathering held from October 27–29.
