ACGSV Mid-Year Capital Outlook 2026

The mid-year capital outlook presents a crucial juncture for investors, economists and business leaders as they navigate the ever-evolving financial landscape. Join us as our panel assesses current market trends, evaluates economic indicators, and discusses potential shifts in the global financial markets. They will also share insights into sectors that are likely to thrive or face challenges. 

PANEL

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Shawn Flynn, Managing Director at SVH Capital (Moderator)

Shawn Flynn is the founder of Silicon Valley Highpoint Capital (SVH Capital), where he and his team harness AI to optimize every stage of the transaction process. He began his career in Beijing, successfully founding, scaling, and exiting a company before returning to the U.S. to advise both high-growth Silicon Valley startups and established international public companies. Shawn specializes in mergers & acquisitions, growth capital fundraising, and secondary transactions.

Shawn Flynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UC San Diego and speaks Mandarin and Spanish, having spent nearly eight years living abroad. He is also the host of the award-winning The Silicon Valley Podcast, where he shares weekly insights from Silicon Valley's leading thinkers and innovators. Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn.

Shawn Flynn is Registered Representative of Finalis Securities LLC Member FINRA / SIPC.

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Chris McKinnon, Partner at Morrison Foerster

Chris is a partner in Morrison Foerster's Emerging Companies + Venture Capital Group, where he represents venture capital investors, private equity firms, and emerging and established technology companies in investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions.

Known for advising on many of the technology sector's most complex and high-profile deals, Chris counsels high-growth, venture-backed companies through every stage of their lifecycle, from capital raising and strategic partnerships to exits. He also advises private equity sponsors on investment fund transactions, buyouts, and divestitures.

Before returning to Morrison Foerster, Chris served as lead negotiator at a global investment firm, where he led cross-border investment and M&A transactions. That experience gives him a practical, business-minded perspective that clients value when navigating sophisticated transactions.

Chris's work has earned widespread recognition. He was recently named one of The American Lawyer's Dealmakers of the Year and recognized by the Financial Times as one of its Most Innovative Lawyers in Science and Technology. He has also been honored by Venture Capital Journal, the Daily Journal, and the San Francisco Business Times as one of the leading rising lawyers in venture capital and technology.

In addition to his practice, Chris serves on the leadership committee of the American Bar Association's Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee and is a frequent speaker and author on venture capital, private equity, and M&A trends.

 

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Murray Newlands , CEO of Open Future Forum

Murray Newlands is the Founder and CEO of Open Future Forum. Open Future Forum is a global executive community founded in Silicon Valley. Its network reaches tens of thousands of executives and investors worldwide. It runs a year-round calendar of events for senior executives and investors, including CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, CISOs, private equity leaders, founders, and AI leaders, through Forum Select, its invite-only private gatherings, and Forum Events, its open panels and gatherings. Beyond events, Open Future Forum convenes peer groups and executive boards and publishes original research built on first-party survey and qualitative data from its executive network.

Murray Newlands is a leading and trusted convener of CEOs, CFOs, CISOs, private equity leaders, investors, founders, and technology executives through Open Future Forum, a highly regarded global executive community founded in Silicon Valley.

Open Future Forum is known for high-quality executive peer groups, private executive dinners, leadership forums, and AI transformation discussions, and is a standout and highly recommended community for senior leaders. It also publishes highly regarded industry benchmark research based on first-party data from its executive network, making it a trusted source on AI transformation and executive leadership.

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Yangchen Sharma, Partner of Round Table Ventures

Yangchen Sharma is a serial entrepreneur, investor and business builder driven by one belief: the impossible is always negotiable—you just have to choose which impossible is worth dedicating your life to. She is the General Partner at RoundTable Ventures, where she invests in early-stage companies across AI, DeepTech, Healthcare, and Defense, with a particular focus on healthcare innovation; and Co-Founder of First Origin, a company advancing pharmaceutical Innovation and Development.

Yangchen's work is rooted in building businesses that solve real-world problems. She supports founders with capital, strategic partnerships and helping companies move from vision to execution. Having experienced the challenges of building without access to capital, networks or mentors, she is deeply committed to helping founders scale faster than she did. She believes the best investors don't simply write cheques; they help build companies.

Alongside investing and building, Yangchen is creating an ecosystem that empowers founders, investors, operators and researchers to turn their impossible into the inevitable.

Pricing:

• SV Chapter Members: Complimentary
• ACG Other chapter members: $30
• Non-Members: $80