MidOcean Partners sells Questex to Apollo after doubling its scale

What's the deal? MidOcean PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has signed a definitive agreement to sell QuestexDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a business-to-business events and media company, to Apollo Global ManagementDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. MidOcean, a New York-based private equity firm, is exiting the investment after significantly growing the business during its holding period — roughly doubling Questex's scale.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Why now? MidOcean appears to have hit its value-creation targets with Questex, making this a natural exit point. The events and B2B media sector has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, and buyer appetite for scaled, profitable platforms in this space is high. Apollo, known for acquiring mature businesses with steady cash flows, is stepping in as the next owner.

What could go wrong? The deal is still subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. For Apollo, the challenge will be finding further growth levers in a company that has already been optimised through a private equity cycle. B2B events businesses also remain exposed to economic slowdowns, which can crimp corporate marketing budgets and attendance.

The signal: Apollo's acquisition of Questex fits a clear pattern of large alternative asset managers hunting for B2B events and information services platforms — businesses valued for their community-driven moats and repeatable revenue. Notably, Dealroom still classifies Questex as "early growth," suggesting Apollo sees meaningful runway to scale the company further despite MidOcean already doubling its size. For MidOcean, the exit validates a focused mid-market playbook: buy, professionalise, and pass on to a larger fund at a premium.

Read more: AP News