Forge, the events and media company formed this year from Emerald and Questex (amalgamated by Apollo Funds), has acquired London-based Kisaco Research. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Kisaco Research runs 14 events across technology, healthcare, wellness and legal markets. The largest, AI Infra Summit, brings together companies building the hardware, software and systems behind artificial intelligence. It drew more than 6,500 attendees and 260 sponsors in 2026.
Forge says Kisaco Research’s AI Drug Discovery conference and Medical Cost Containment meetings will extend the reach of its Healthcare & Life Sciences group. Wellness events including Beauty Connect and the Medspa series fit its Hospitality, Design and Wellness portfolio.
Paul Miller, CEO of Forge, said the deal would create opportunities to “grow these communities, expand internationally and create new ways for buyers and sellers to connect year-round”.
Sarah Clayton founded Kisaco Research 12 years ago. Sarah Clayton said: “We built Kisaco around a simple idea: identify markets where innovation is moving quickly, bring together the people shaping their future, and create the connections that help those industries grow.”
Second deal in a week
Apollo Funds completed its acquisitions of Emerald and Questex in July, and the combined business launched as Forge in August. Apollo said in May that the merged company would run around 160 events.
Kisaco Research is Forge’s second acquisition since then. On 20 October, it completed its purchase of Becker’s, an events and digital media business serving the healthcare industry.
Mayfield Media Strategies was financial adviser and Edwin Coe legal counsel to the sellers, with Dow Schofield Watts Solent providing vendor financial due diligence. Solomon Partners and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld advised Forge.
