IT & Business Services confirm reset in market as buyers prioritise efficiency and profitability

The latest IT & Business Services M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals a continued resurgence in deal momentum which began in early 2025, following a temporary slowdown in 2024.   

While dealmaking remains strong, valuation trends and target selection patterns indicate that buyers are increasingly disciplined in their M&A strategies, filtering for targets which demonstrate platform completeness, proof of profitability, and compliance readiness, and which can be easily integrated post-acquisition. 

Konstantin Kastius, Managing Director at Hampleton Partners, said: “The hype cycles of the first half of this decade, centred around immense sea changes like the pandemic, global cloud migration and the AI revolution, have given way to a more pragmatic and clear-eyed phase for acquirers and investors, with value creation anchored firmly in financial resilience and execution certainty rather than speculative growth narratives.”

Buyers are also continuing to show strong demand for certified service providers affiliated with Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow and other major enterprise ecosystems. Deal activity targeting such companies has been robust as acquirers leverage M&A to strengthen their right-to-win positions in the business services marketplace. 

This trend reflects the non-discretionary importance of cloud migration, AI automation, data governance and other platform-reliant processes to businesses of all kinds. Commenting on this trend, Konstantin Kastius said: “Assets that combine certified ecosystem positioning, automation leverage, and predictable earnings conversion are best positioned to command premiums.”

Accenture, Pye-Barker and The 20 MSP maintain their positions as the top three most prolific IT & Business Services acquirers over the past 30 months.

Accenture – 63 acquisitions, including Cabel Industry (ICT and managed services), Rangr Data (data consulting and integration services), and IAMConcepts (IAM security systems integrator)

Pye-Barker – 21 acquisitions, including Bates Security (security systems integrator), Vermillion Systems (security systems integrator), and Southern Burglar & Fire Alarm Co. (security systems integration services)

The 20 MSP – 18 acquisitions, including InData Consulting (managed IT services) iStreet Solutions (managed IT and consulting services), Red Level Group (managed IT services)

Download the full Hampleton Partners IT & Business Services M&A Market Report 1H2026, which explores key industry trends and transaction case studies within the three main subsectors: IT Outsourced Services, Tech Services & Support, and Integration Services.

Hampleton Partners’ M&A Market Reports are compiled using data and information from the 451 Research, Capital IQ, CB Insights, Gartner, IDC and more.

Hampleton Partners advises owners of software and technology companies on M&A transactions and growth financing with strategic buyers or financial investors. Hampleton’s experienced deal makers have advised hundreds of tech industry shareholders to date, providing hands-on expertise and targeted advice to entrepreneurs looking to sell, partially retire, or accelerate their growth.

With offices across Europe, and partners in North America and East Asia, Hampleton offers a global perspective with industry expertise in Enterprise Software, Digital Commerce, IT & Business Services, Artificial Intelligence, Autotech & Mobility, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Healthtech, Supply Chain Management, Healthtech, HR Tech, and Insurtech. 

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