Midwest Deal Summit
The Midwest Deal Summit is your gateway to lower middle market deals. In addition to thoughtful content on the latest data, trends and best practices in the lower middle market, the Midwest Deal Summit features DeaLinx, SBIA's exclusive platform designed to connect participants and drive lower middle market transactions. Open exclusively to GPs, LPs, Independent Sponsors & Investment Bankers, DeaLinx facilitates pre-arranged, one-on-one meetings using our highly successful pre-screening model. With ample private meeting space and streamlined scheduling, sell-side and buy-side focused investment banks take part in this efficient opportunity to explore current deal opportunities.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you are a seasoned industry leader or a rising professional looking to deepen your expertise, SBIA's Midwest Deal Summit offers valuable opportunities to gain insights and build lower middle market connections. The conference is designed for private equity professionals including:
- Dedicated Buyout Funds
- Vetted Independent Sponsors
- Family Offices
- SBICs (Equity and Mezzanine)
- Minority Equity Leaders
When and Where
The Midwest Deal Summit is held annually in late May/early June in Chicago, IL. Stay tuned for announcements about next year’s dates, location, and featured speakers.
Why Attend?
- Engage in structured sessions and informal gatherings designed to foster valuable connections and fresh insights.
- Gain exclusive access to thought leaders sharing actionable perspectives and stay ahead of the curve with expert insights on emerging opportunities and industry challenges.
- Participate in DeaLinx (see below), SBIA's exclusive deal-sourcing event.
- Expand your network by connecting with key decision-makers across the lower middle market private equity ecosystem.
- Experience the always popular Life is Better with Beer Networking Reception — a premier opportunity to try a wonderful variety of Midwest beer and hors d’oeuvres while connecting with colleagues.
Sponsorship Opportunities
*Only those service provider firms who sponsor the event are able to attend. Position your firm as a leader in the private equity space by becoming a sponsor of the Small Business Investor Alliance. Sponsorship packages offer unique visibility and engagement opportunities. Contact us for information.
Midwest Deal Summit registrants are eligible to participate in DeaLinx*, SBIA’s exclusive deal sourcing event. These private, pre-scheduled meetings run concurrently with conference sessions, leveraging our one-of-a-kind platform to facilitate strategic connections.
What is DeaLinx?
Open exclusively to Investment Bankers, Independent Sponsors, General Partners, & Limited Partners, DeaLinx is a unique feature of the annual Midwest Deal Summit. Access to SBIA’s custom DeaLinx meeting selection platform allows you to review attendees by a variety of criteria, schedule meetings for set time slots throughout the conference, and send messages to other attendees.
How does it work?
DeaLinx gives eligible conference attendees the opportunity to fill out an online profile with firm information for other attendees to view, enabling participants to pre-screen one another and set up meetings at mutually available time slots during the DeaLinx event. DeaLinx runs concurrently alongside conference sessions.
Dates for the 2026 Midwest Deal Summit will be announced later this year. Please visit our events page for updates and registration for next year's conference as well as all other conferences and regional events. You may contact us with questions at events@sbia.org.