October 03, 2025
Private equity deal sourcing has always been about getting ahead of the market, finding companies before your competitors do. Trade shows are one of the most underrated yet powerful ways to uncover promising companies across industries. They gather founders, management teams, and industry disruptors in one place, often well before they hit mainstream investor radars.
At dakota, we’ve tracked 1,000+ trade shows across all industries to surface new companies that private equity firms need to know.
In this article, we’re giving you a list of the ten most valuable trade shows for deal sourcers. By the end of this, you’ll have a better understanding of why they matter and if it’s worthy for your team.
Location: Las Vegas
The world’s biggest stage for consumer tech. Startups and growth companies use CES as their launchpad for product debuts, making it a hotbed for identifying future unicorns across hardware, AI, IoT, and consumer electronics.
Location: Boston/San Diego (rotates)
For healthcare and life sciences investors, BIO is unmatched. It’s where biotech startups, pharma giants, and university spinouts showcase their breakthroughs—often years before they go commercial.
Location: San Francisco
The premier SaaS gathering. Thousands of software companies, from seed-stage upstarts to mature SaaS platforms, converge to network with VCs and PE firms. A goldmine for recurring revenue business models.
Location: Orlando/Chicago (rotates)
HIMSS attracts the most innovative healthcare IT and digital health companies. With the healthcare sector undergoing tech-driven transformation, this show is essential for PE deal teams focused on HCIT.
Location: Munich
The shift to EVs, mobility platforms, and autonomous driving makes this one of the most forward-looking industrial/automotive trade shows. An insider’s view into which suppliers and startups will dominate next-gen transportation.
Location: San Francisco
Beyond being Salesforce’s ecosystem event, Dreamforce is where hundreds of ISVs, app builders, and AI-driven SaaS companies gather. It’s a perfect show for sourcing tuck-ins and software add-ons.
Location: Las Vegas/Amsterdam/Asia
The flagship fintech conference. Payments, neobanks, insurtech, and crypto infrastructure startups all converge here. Many of tomorrow’s public fintech leaders first step onto the stage at Money20/20.
Location: Rotating US cities
An under-the-radar industrial show where thousands of HVAC and building automation companies exhibit. For PE firms targeting “boring but profitable” industrials, this is a must-attend sourcing ground.
Location: New York City
The future of retail, e-commerce platforms, logistics, and retail tech is on display. Retail-focused PE firms can spot emerging software and supply chain innovators early here.
Location: Houston
One of the largest gatherings for oil & gas and energy technology. With the industry shifting toward renewables and efficiency, OTC is where energy services companies reveal transformative solutions.
That’s why dakota marketplace has built curated coverage of 1,000+ trade shows across all industries, so you can discover new companies, sectors, and investment opportunities before anyone else.
Book a demo of dakota marketplace to see how our deal sourcing data gives your firm an unfair advantage.
Morgan Holycross is a Marketing Manager at Dakota.
