Vista's $100B software factory bets AI is "food not threat"—building GenAI transformation capability to capture middle market opportunity.

Henry Ward, CEO and co-founder of Carta, a technology company managing cap tables and equity for over 50,000 private companies representing trillions in institutional capital, spoke with Bloomberg's Barry Ritholtz about the structural transformation underway in private markets. Ward argues that congressional efforts to push companies toward public listings miss the point entirely—the future lies in creating safe retail access to private capital.

Bain & Company's Technology Report 2025 reveals that technology deals increased their share of all buyouts to 22% in the first half of 2025, up from 19% at year-end 2024, but the era of easy returns from simply riding software growth is ending. Private equity investors must fundamentally shift their value creation strategies as software market penetration flattens and traditional revenue sources lose steam.

Orlando Bravo, founder and managing partner of Thoma Bravo—the world's largest software-focused private equity firm managing $179 billion in assets—shared his formula for building one of the industry's best-performing firms at the All-In Summit 2025.

Private equity firms must fundamentally shift from financial engineering to backing businesses with genuine organic growth as higher interest rates eliminate traditional return drivers like leverage and multiple arbitrage. Nic Humphries, Senior Partner and Executive Chairman of Hg, demonstrates how three decades of focused software investing has built Europe's second-largest technology conglomerate by prioritizing customer value over financial manipulation.

Private equity is experiencing a fundamental shift as specialized firms demonstrate that focused expertise can drive superior returns while building scalable wealth management businesses. Martina Sanow, Partner and Head of HG Wealth at the $85 billion software-focused private equity firm HG, reveals how a European specialist has built one of the continent's most successful evergreen fund strategies.

David Breach, President and Chief Operating Officer of Vista Equity Partners, argues that institutional investors alone cannot provide the capital needed to fully capitalize on the AI-driven software revolution, creating an imperative for top-tier firms to expand into private wealth channels.

Peak Rock Capital's affiliate has sold Amtech Software to Vista Equity Partners after significant growth and transformation.

Artificial intelligence will trigger the biggest wave of defaults in private credit history as thousands of software companies fail to transform into AI-first businesses, warns Bruce Richards, CEO of Marathon Asset Management. Richards predicts that software sector default rates will triple over the next five to seven years, forcing his $24 billion credit-focused firm to halt all software lending until companies prove they can navigate the AI transition.

Thoma Bravo raises $34.4 billion across three funds, demonstrating strong investor support for its software investment strategy.