Alternative Capital Sources for DSOs

As traditional private equity activity slows and many industry participants anticipate a prolonged capital gap over the next 18–24 months, DSOs are increasingly being forced to rethink how growth, liquidity, and expansion will be financed. This session brings together operators, advisors, and executives who have pursued alternative capital pathways including IPO strategies, strategic investment, structured partnerships, and nontraditional funding models.

Through candid discussions and real-world case studies, panelists will share what worked, what failed, and what they learned navigating today’s shifting dental capital markets. The session will explore the realities of operating in an environment where traditional PE financing may no longer be the default solution, and how organizations are adapting through mergers, strategic partnerships, public market preparation, and alternative investor relationships.

Attendees will gain practical insight into how leaders identified new capital sources, evaluated tradeoffs, structured partnerships, and balanced operational flexibility with long-term growth objectives. The discussion will also address the complexities of scaling within public markets, merging organizations ahead of IPO activity, and working with international or strategic capital partners.