hampletonpartners.com - The Hampleton News Feed

When Is It Time to Sell Your Tech Company?

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:29:28 +0200

Knowing when to pursue an exit is one of the most critical decisions a business owner will ever make. Move too soon in your company’s life cycle, and there’s the risk of leaving substantial upside on the table. On the other hand, if you wait too long and miss the optimum moment to sell, factors like increased competition, shifts in the market or even internal burnout can undercut the value you’ve worked hard to build.

While there is no single, foolproof sign that the time has come to sell, experienced entrepreneurs and advisors will be prompted by an alignment of personal, financial and market-driven factors. Here are some of the most important indicators to be aware of.

6 German Intralogistics Startups To Watch at LogiMAT 2026

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:53:26 +0100

This month will see many of the world’s intralogistics and process management professionals congregate in Stuttgart for one of the top trade shows for this industry: LogiMat 2026. It’s sure to be a fascinating event thanks to the pace of innovation currently taking place in intralogistics – from increasingly intuitive robot and IoT systems automating warehouse material flow, to AI platforms optimising how supply chain and inventory data is collected and analysed.

Germany has established itself as a leading hub of intralogistics startups, which is why one of the big themes of this year’s LogiMat event is “Innovation Made in Germany”. Numerous German startups will be showcasing their products under this banner, representing a range of fields within intralogistics. Here are some of the notable up-and-coming businesses which will be among them.

The Digital Commerce Moat That’s Become a Magnet for Investors

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:49:11 +0100

Anyone who’s read our brand new Digital Commerce market report will know that dealmaking in the sector is currently on bullish form, with transaction volume leaping by almost 20% last year. The concurrent rise in revenue and EBITDA valuations further underscores the strong confidence in the market right now.

AI is of course one of the biggest momentum makers, with buyers and investors showing sustained interest in e-commerce content creation and workflow automation platforms. However, the report also discusses the double-edged nature of the AI transition in Digital Commerce. On the one hand, it’s driving acquisitions of businesses whose leveraging of AI demonstrate tangible KPI advantages. On the other, it calls into question the long-term resilience of agencies, services providers and SaaS platforms which may be rapidly superseded as autonomous agents continue to take over tasks.

Why The Electric Truck Sector Is Hitting the Investment Fast Lane

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners’ new Autotech & Mobility M&A Report has revealed strong dealmaking energy in the market. Transaction numbers soared last year to match a previous peak in 2023, with 2H2025 racking up the third-biggest half-year deal haul on record. The report particularly highlights the significance of the electric vehicle (EV) transition as a deal driver, with Michael Brecht – Sector Principal for Mobility & Infrastructure at Hampleton Partners – saying:

“The sustained takeup of EVs in important territories like Germany and the UK has contributed to the robust level of buyer confidence we’re seeing right now. The burgeoning transition to electric cars, buses and trucks is incentivising the acquisition of innovators in the EV ecosystem, from developers of AI-enabled onboard diagnostics to EV charging infrastructure solutions providers.”

Digital Commerce Deal Numbers Boom As AI Automation Transforms Market

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:03:55 +0100

The new Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, has revealed a dealmaking surge in the sector, with 2,683 transactions recorded in 2025 – almost 20% higher than the previous year’s tally.

Valuation multiples have also risen, reflecting buyer enthusiasm for online retailers, e-commerce platforms and marketing agencies which can demonstrate tangible efficiency gains through the integration of generative and agentic AI. However, the commoditisation of AI means businesses in the sector will be increasingly expected to distinguish themselves in other ways in order to command valuation premiums.

Hampleton Partners Welcomes Katrin Cihlar as Managing Director and Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:12:43 +0100

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm specializing in the technology sector, is pleased to welcome Katrin Cihlar as Managing Director and Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage.

With more than 20 years of transaction and private equity experience, Katrin Cihlar has advised on numerous domestic and cross-border deals throughout her career, building long-standing relationships with leading financial sponsors. Her expertise spans transactions across the software, digital commerce, automotive, and industrial sectors.

The Attack Surface Which Has Become a Major IT Deal Driver

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:15:23 +0100

The newly-published IT & Business Services M&A market report from Hampleton Partners has revealed the most important trends influencing acquisitions and investments in the sector right now. Among them is cybersecurity, which the report describes as “one of the major M&A momentum makers, with identity and observability emerging as core platform pillars.”

Identity is the new frontline in cybersecurity, with rapid cloud adoption, the normalisation of remote working, and the proliferation of complex tech stacks across user devices resulting in the dissolution of traditional network perimeters. The development of this new digital environment has led cybercriminals and state-backed hackers to pivot from exploiting infrastructure vulnerabilities and deploying brute-force attacks on firewalls, to targeting identity authentication flows. In other words, logging in rather than breaking in.

Autotech & Mobility M&A In the Fast Lane as Innovation and Consolidation Drive Deals

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0100

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals bullish M&A activity in the sector, matching the record peak seen in 2023.

A top momentum maker highlighted by the report is the increasing adoption of EV – not only by consumers but by logistics companies and public transport authorities. With electric truck and bus registrations on the rise in Europe, the burgeoning demand for EV charging infrastructure, including high-power charging, is spurring consolidation in what is still a highly fragmented market.

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

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0100

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.

Enterprise Software M&A remains at record levels—with both strategic and financial buyers driving the momentum

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0100

The enterprise software sector continues to boom. According to the latest Enterprise Software M&A Report 1H2026 from Hampleton Partners, 2,452 deals were completed in 2025 – the highest annual total ever, with a disclosed transaction value of USD 147 billion. In the second half of the year alone, 1,231 deals were closed, marking, together with the first half, the highest deal volume ever recorded in a single calendar year.

Miro Parizek, Founder and Senior Partner at Hampleton Partners, comments: “This record pace is being driven by both strategic and financial buyers. Strategic investors are using M&A as stealth R&D to expand their platforms and acquire top talent, while private equity investors pursue aggressive buy-and-build strategies, particularly in emerging markets.”

Hampleton Partners Strengthens Automotive Expertise: Horst Bardehle Appointed Sector Principal for Automotive

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:09:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software, technology, and autotech companies, welcomes Horst Bardehle as Sector Principal for the Automotive Sector. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the automotive industry, Bardehle brings extensive expertise across product development, corporate and production management, sales, and complex transformation and restructuring initiatives.

How To Create Your Own Euro Tech Stack

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:47:39 +0100

The ubiquity of US tech, from the backend infrastructure provided by Amazon Web Services to the Microsoft and OpenAI products we use daily, is something most consumers take for granted. Certainly, non-US markets are vital to the American giants. For example, Microsoft had non-US revenues of USD 137bn in 2025, compared to domestic revenues of USD 145bn, while Meta generated USD 122bn from non-US markets compared to “only” USD 74.8bn domestically.

It stands to reason that the American tech giants, and the US government, are happy with the status quo and less than thrilled about EU regulations in the tech space. But European business insiders and policymakers have long been voicing objections to Europe’s dependence on tech stacks from other parts of the world.

5 Funding Initiatives European Tech Founders Should Know About

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:19:00 +0100

While the vast majority of tech startups are bootstrapped, there’s no denying that venture capital can be crucial to the growth of businesses which require significant R&D expenditure or seek to rapidly scale in highly competitive markets. Companies specialising in AI, biotech, quantum computing, defencetech and spacetech fall into the former category, while enterprise SaaS platforms and fintech companies are in the latter.

But a long-running pain point for Europe’s tech landscape has been the restrained level of venture capital relative to other regions. Take the VC gap with the United States, with firms based in the EU receiving USD 1.4tn less VC funding than US counterparts between 2013 and 2022. The problem is particularly marked when it comes to later stage funding rounds, incentivising scale-ups to seek US investors and/or relocate their headquarters.

Hampleton advises Streetbuzz on the sale to Moto Mobility Group

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:06:01 +0100

Hampleton Partners advised the shareholders of Streetbuzz Distribution, based in Saarbrücken, on the sale of the company to Moto Mobility Group.

As part of the transaction, Moto Mobility Group, a portfolio company of Bencis Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm from the Netherlands, is acquiring a stake in Streetbuzz Distribution.

Hampleton Partners advises ZF Group on the sale of 2getthere

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:54:38 +0100

Hampleton has exclusively advised the ZF Group on the sale of its subsidiary 2getthere as part of an international bidding process.

As part of the transaction, Sai Green Mobility from India acquires 100% of the shares in 2getthere. With this acquisition, the buyer aims to significantly expand its position in the field of autonomous mobility.

4 Tech Trends Which Will Drive M&A in 2026

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:29:25 +0100

One overarching trend identified in our most recent M&A reports is that, as once-radical technologies have been rapidly commoditized, acquirers and investors are looking beyond growth metrics to focus on the nuts and bolts of businesses, scrutinising aspects such as how their data is managed and how resilient their revenue models are.

This focus will continue to impact data- and agentic AI-focused dealmaking in 2026, while we’re also likely to see increased hype around more nascent, less commoditized segments like physical AI. Here are four spaces which are likely to be highly significant over the coming 12 months.

6 M&A Deals Which Exemplified Their Tech Sectors in 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:40:29 +0100

It’s been an eventful and disruptive year in tech, with our expert analysts at Hampleton Partners keeping a close eye on M&A trends and transactions across sectors such as AI and Enterprise Software.

Now, as we prepare to step into 2026, it’s a good moment to pause and take stock of some of the most significant highlighted by our sector-specific market reports, and the deals which have exemplified these developments. Let’s dive in.

Can Shopping Agent Startups Take on the AI Giants?

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:32:00 +0100

Such is the pace of development and disruption in the AI space that it can be tricky to keep up with the milestones as they come and go. One such threshold was crossed recently, with two of the biggest players, OpenAI and Perplexity, both introducing agentic shopping assistants designed to optimise how users browse and buy online.

These rival assistants work in much the same way, leveraging a natural conversational back-and-forth which allows them to feel out user requirements, refine their recommendations and remember buying histories to find provide a tailored experience. This is all in marked contrast to the lists of non-curated links yielded by traditional search.

5 “New Space” Startups Making Waves in Europe

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:54:17 +0100

Last month came the exciting news that an astronaut from Europe – specifically, Germany – will have a seat on an upcoming mission to the Moon.

The announcement was made at a European Space Agency press conference, where Dorothee Bär, Germany's Federal Minister of Research, said: "We can now, for the very first time, send a European astronaut flying 360,000 kilometres away. This means that a European astronaut will be traveling for approximately three days until for the first time he sees the Earth as a whole. No European has ever seen that before.”

The Overlooked Value Layer Beneath the AI Boom: An Interview with Jonathan Simnett

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:12:55 +0100

Jonathan Simnett is a managing director at Hampleton Partners, co-host of The Difference Engine tech strategy podcast, and an M&A dealmaker with decades of experience helping tech founders and investors to scale, fundraise, merge and exit. We spoke to him about one of the most significant, yet currently undervalued and under-hyped, aspects of the AI revolution.

Six Voice-Focused Startups Which Have Got Investors Talking

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:39:35 +0100

Last month, Sesame – a startup co-founded by one of the people behind Oculus – secured USD 250m in Series B funding. Sesame has developed a voice AI agent which it pitches as an “ever-present brilliant friend” that is lifelike enough to traverse the uncanny valley feeling which once dogged verbal interfaces. Sesame intends to embed in lightweight eyewear to provide constant companionship to users as they go about their daily business. What made the deal stand out to us was not so much the size of the investment (significant though it is), the notable track record of its founders or even Sesame’s specific product per se, but rather how the nature of its technology was framed in evolutionary terms by lead investor Sequoia Capital.

Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Top Deal Driver in Healthtech

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0100

The record deal volume noted in our latest Healthtech M&A report stems from momentum makers which include AI-fuelled innovation in everything from digital therapeutics to health record management, and active consolidation within the industry. There’s also the critical necessity of security solutions which are fit for purpose in an age of ever-smarter online threats. As our report puts it, “Increasing digitalisation is driving demand for robust cybersecurity solutions, with research showing a majority of healthcare organisations are actively enhancing this aspect of operations in 2025.”

The 3 Big Deal Drivers Shaping the Supply Chain Management Market

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:16:11 +0200

Earlier this month, DHL Group opened its new Europe Innovation Center in Troisdorf, Germany. The flagship of a network of similar facilities dotted across the world, it serves to “identify emerging trends, engage with customers, test new technologies, and scale high-impact solutions across regions and business units”, as well as foster collaborations with other academic researchers and startups.

This move caught our attention because, as part of the announcement, DHL Group laid out the “three most important trend clusters that will shape supply chains in the coming years”, determined by its survey of over 2,500 supply chain professionals across a spectrum of industries and regions. The trends in question are AI, robotics and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) imperatives – all of which were recently emphasised in our newly published Supply Chain Management Software M&A Report.

6 Key Trends Fuelling Healthtech M&A Activity Right Now

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:16:00 +0200

Healthtech dealmaking is surging, with our latest M&A report on the sector revealing that 1H25 saw the highest number of disclosed deals on record, surpassing even the much-discussed acquisition boom during and just after the pandemic.

While economic conditions improved slightly, and high investor interest in AI innovation have certainly set a favourable context for M&A across the tech landscape, there are specific trends propelling acquisition and investment activity in Healthtech. Let’s look through some of those identified by the Hampleton Partners report, along with fundraises exemplifying each trend.

Why Business Services Ecosystems Are A Hotbed of M&A Activity

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:22:11 +0200

The recently published IT & Business Services market report from Hampleton Partners has revealed strong M&A momentum in the first half of this year – a surge partly propelled by the acquisitions of business service providers partnered with the likes of Microsoft, Salesforce and ServiceNow.

Not only has there been a high number of deals targeting such companies, but the median EBITDA multiple for this segment has soared to the highest point on record, indicating unprecedented investor confidence in the growth prospects of service providers aligned with major enterprise software ecosystems.

AI Fundraising Resurgence Continues With Second-Largest Investment Haul On Record

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0200

The latest Artificial Intelligence market report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals strong fundraising momentum for AI companies, with the total deal value for the sector reaching almost USD 52.4bn in 1H25 – the second-largest amount ever invested in a half-year reporting period.

Why Mobility Is Now One Of The Biggest Deal Drivers In Autotech

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:06:00 +0200

Anyone who’s caught up on the deal data in Hampleton Partners’ latest Autotech & Mobility Report will know that acquirers have pressed down on the accelerator in 1H25, with the sector seeing the third-highest ever transaction count in any half-year reporting period. Beyond general factors such as the easing of macroeconomic pressures and growing investor confidence across the tech landscape, one key contributor to the dealmaking surge has been highly robust activity within the Mobility & Fleet Management subsector.

Supply Chain Management Software M&A Continues To Climb With Agentic AI and ESG Imperatives Among Key Deal Drivers

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 08:12:00 +0200

The latest Supply Chain Management Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, has revealed an uptick in deal activity in 1H25. This is the second consecutive rise recorded in a six-month reporting period, continuing a bounceback for the Supply Chain Management Software (SCMS) sector after a momentary slowdown in the first half of last year.

Healthtech deal volume continues to rise significantly, while buyer caution keeps valuations at moderate levels

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0200

The newest Healthtech M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 242 deals were made in 1H25 – the largest number recorded in a half-year reporting period within the sector.

How the Agentic AI Era Spells Opportunity for E-Commerce Startups

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:20:39 +0200

Our newly published Digital Commerce M&A Report has revealed a surge in dealmaking in the sector, with the first half of this year seeing a 22% year-on-year jump in transaction volume.

Comparing the current energy in the sector to the momentum boost which occurred during the pandemic, our e-commerce Sector Principal Ralph Hübner notes in the report that “the boom we saw back then was largely down to a pressing necessity, with e-commerce coming into its own as social contacts were limited and consumers were confined to their immediate surroundings. By contrast, the transformative force we’re seeing on the horizon is of a technological nature, with AI reconfiguring how humans interact with Digital Commerce solutions.

Enterprise Software M&A Activity Reaches Record High But AI Demand Has Normalised

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0200

The newest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that deal activity soared to an all-time high this year.

A total of 1,313 deals were made in 1H25, which is the largest haul for the sector in any six-month reporting period and a 9% increase on the previous peak seen in 1H22.

Autotech & Mobility M&A Activity Sees Dramatic Rise As Buyers Flock to Mobility Technology

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0200

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 81 transactions were recorded in 1H25. This constitutes an almost 40% jump in deal volume from the previous half-year reporting period, indicating a marked resurgence in momentum after a lull in dealmaking in 2024.

What the AI Takeover Of Search Means for Digital Commerce Companies

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:17:12 +0200

This year has seen what is arguably the most consequential development in online search since the invention of the search engine itself. Namely, Google’s rollout of AI Mode, its new function which answers search queries with AI generated articles rather than the usual list of relevant links, thereby removing (or at least very much reducing) the need to click through to any other websites.

Demand for AI and Cybersecurity Services Providers Fuels M&A Surge in IT & Business Services Market

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:12:06 +0200

4 Key Takeaways From Y Combinator’s Summer 2025 Request List

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0200

It’s always fascinating to see what Y Combinator sees fit to put on its regular “Request for Startups” lists, which outline the kinds of companies which YC and other investors are particularly interested in backing in a given period.

“Unsurprisingly, YC’s summer 2025 request list is entirely focused on AI,” notes Heiko Garrelfs, tech M&A expert at Hampleton Partners. “The accelerator has been intimately involved with the generative AI revolution from the start, being the first investor in OpenAI, and its summer list pinpoints some of the specific AI use cases and startup types which are especially interesting to investors right now.”

Digital Commerce Deal Numbers Up 22% - A Market Preparing for the Next M&A Boom Phase

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0200

The new Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals a strong rise in dealmaking in 1H2025, with 1,391 transactions recorded.

Hampleton Partners Welcomes Software and Digital Media Dealmaker Anthony Chow as Managing Director

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:02:02 +0200

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, has appointed Anthony Chow as its newest Managing Director to its London hub, from where he will serve clients across the UK and Europe.

Bringing nearly three decades of investment banking experience, Anthony most recently served as a Partner at Strata Partners, prior to which he was a Director at Ardent Advisors. In these roles, he advised on funding rounds, exit planning and business development across the SaaS, e-commerce, digital media and fintech sectors.

Why The Longevity Tech Sector Is In Rude Health

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:09:39 +0200

Growing old gracefully is a growth industry. Worth around USD 21.1bn in 2024, the global longevity tech market is expected to reach USD 63bn by 2035, at a CAGR of 10.37%.

Longevity has become a significant investment magnet within healthtech thanks to the convergence of a few key factors. First, there’s the pressing matter of an inexorably aging global population, with the UN predicting that there will be more than 2.1 billion people aged 60 years and over by 2050. This will equate to more than a quarter of the world’s population, double the number we had in 2024.

Why Rumours of the Death of SaaS Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:40:54 +0200

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed that the company was “remarkably on track” to having more than a billion AI agents deployed by the end of this year.

This lofty target had originally been announced last year with the big unveiling of Agentforce, the company’s new platform which allows clients to customise and build AI agents able to autonomously execute processes from optimising media campaigns to resolving customer enquiries. The clearly prolific use of the platform by Salesforce clients underscores how rapidly this technology is impacting how human workers carry out their day-to-day tasks. Moreover, it draws attention to a fundamental paradigm shift that’s currently taking place within the Enteprise Software market.

Why Vibe Coding is On Investor Radars Right Now

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:19:10 +0200

One of Europe’s most talked-about tech companies right now is Lovable, the Swedish startup which allows users to build apps and websites via prompts. Achieving USD 50m in annual recurring revenue within six months of launching its platform last year, Lovable has at the time of writing over 130,000 paying customers, of which many are enterprise clients paying the highest subscription tier rate.

Factoring in the USD 22.5m in funding which the company has also racked up to date, it’s perhaps unsurprising that is co-founder Anton Osika has bluntly said “We’re in a great position where we don’t need cash.” Nevertheless, investors are more than ready to provide it anyway, with it being reliably reported that Lovable is now in talks to raise USD 100m, which would potentially value the company at USD 1.5bn and further bolster its position at the vanguard of “vibe coding”. But what is vibe coding exactly?

Who Are The Top 5 Enterprise Software Acquirers?

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:55:53 +0200

Dealmaking has been strong in the Enterprise Software sector, with our most recent M&A report showing a significant uptick in transaction numbers in the last reporting period. Amid all this activity, which have been the most prolific buyers whose acquisition strategies have been helping to fuel market momentum?

Let’s run through the top five players in descending order, as determined by the number of acquisitions between mid-2022 and the start of this year.

4 Defence Tech Startups Benefitting From an Investment Boom

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:05:00 +0200

Just over a year ago, we posted on this blog about “why defence tech is no longer taboo”, noting that the grim reality of conflicts and rising tensions around the world had eroded much of the traditional stigma around investing in the sector. We noted how funding for startups such as Mach Industries, ARX and Quantum Systems had in fact “accelerated in recent years, with the importance of defence tech being impossible to deny in an age of dramatic geopolitical turbulence”.

Now, as we approach the mid-point of 2025, the sector is looming larger than ever on the venture capital landscape, with Jack Wang of VC firm Project A recently telling Sifted that “We’re seeing more founders building in defence tech than ever before”. It’s significant that many hail not from military backgrounds but “instead mainstream tech – from ex-unicorn founders to ex-Palantir engineers.”

Hampleton Partners Welcomes Healthtech M&A Dealmaker Tom Schmähling As Managing Director

Mon, 26 May 2025 10:10:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, has appointed Tom Schmähling as Managing Director.

Based in Germany, Tom has garnered immense experience across a number of senior M&A roles, most recently as Global Head of Corporate Development & M&A at the healthcare company Mediq BV. He has built M&A departments from the ground up, leading global transactions and post-merger integration, and playing a key role in shaping corporate strategies and driving both national and international growth.

Why E-Commerce Agencies Are Back On Buyers’ Radars

Mon, 19 May 2025 11:50:00 +0200

Investors and acquirers are showing renewed confidence in e-commerce agencies and service providers, with the most recent reporting period – 2H24 – seeing deal numbers bounce back to reach the second-highest level on record for this space.

This resurgence has come in the wake of a fairly sluggish period for Digital Commerce as a whole. As Hampleton Partners’ Sector Principal Ralph Hübner observed in our most recent market report on the sector, while Digital Commerce M&A numbers have been rising, the pace has been “kept in check by the lingering effects of recent macroeconomic headwinds and the stringent requirements of acquirers less willing to take risks in a volatile market environment”.

Why Enterprise AI Investment Has Entered a New Era

Wed, 07 May 2025 16:53:00 +0200

As our most recent Enterprise Software M&A Report has confirmed, investor confidence is riding high in the sector. The most recent reporting period saw an 18% surge in the number of transactions, reflecting a strong appetite among acquirers for tech companies meeting the rising demand for software tools which drive workplace efficiencies – whether that’s in terms of customer relationship management, document management or design testing and simulation.

The leveraging of AI by Enterprise Software companies has certainly fuelled momentum in the sector. However, there has been a notable shift when it comes to the valuations of AI-focused acquisition targets. While such companies continue to be highly sought-after, accounting for 30% of deals closed over the past 30 months, their valuations have dropped precipitously over the last couple of years. Let’s look a little more closely at what’s been going on.

Which UK Tech Sector Is Gaining The Most VC Investment?

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0200

At the start of this year, headlines were generated by research showing that the value of the UK tech industry had crossed the USD 1.2 tn mark. This was a 20% increase since 2023, confirming the impressive resilience of the British market in the face of considerable countervailing factors such as inflationary pressures, geopolitical turbulence and post-pandemic caution on the part of investors.

Now, a little deeper into 2025, the picture continues to be a rosy one, with news that the amount of venture capital raised in the UK in the first quarter was USD 4.2bn. Not only is this 8% higher than what was amassed in Q1 2024, but it’s also bigger than what has so far been raised in Germany, France and Spain combined.

Speed Bumps Ahead: How Tariffs Are Disrupting the Auto Industry

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:18:00 +0200

Our latest Autotech & Mobility M&A Report discusses several key factors impacting the market right now, including the tariffs which the EU last year slapped onto electric vehicles being imported from China. Now, with tariffs back in the headlines thanks to a more widescale tax burden being applied by the Trump administration to auto imports to the US, it’s worth pausing to consider the changes afoot in the autotech sector.

Forget “Peak Influencer”: The Creator Ecosystem Is Energising Digital Commerce M&A

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:07:00 +0100

The latest Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners reveals that deal activity in the sector has grown for the second reporting period in a row. While the pace of activity has, in the words of our Sector Principal Ralph Hübner, “been kept in check by the lingering effects of recent macroeconomic headwinds and the stringent requirements of acquirers less willing to take risks in a volatile market environment”, there are several key trends which indicate the sector will continue towards a more bullish path.

One particularly significant trend discussed in the report is the strong interest in influencer marketing companies, which have become highly sought-after acquisition targets. While some more cynical media commentators have speculated that the sheer number of lifestyle gurus, travel vlog creators and cooking channel presenters out there has reached saturation point (“peak influencer”), the data suggests that we’re in fact entering a particularly fertile era for influencer partnerships.

AI and Cloud Migration: The Double Whammy Fuelling M&A in the IT Services Sector

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:03:00 +0100

The newly published IT & Business Services M&A Report from Hampleton Partners reveals an uptick in deal activity and valuations for the sector, singling out cloud computing as a “significant driver of market growth, with businesses and public sector organisations seeking out cloud migration and digital transformation services to modernize their IT infrastructures and implement mission-critical software”.

The significance of cloud migration as a momentum generator has been underscored by recent IT sector studies showing that the percentage of IT infrastructure hosted “on-premises” by businesses and other organisations is set to shrink as they look to save on resources by outsourcing to hyperscalers – the large cloud providers which take on the burden of IT processing and storage tasks.

Autotech & Mobility Deal Activity Back On The Rise As Confidence Returns to Sector

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0100

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals a resurgence of energy in the sector, with dealmaking growing after a temporary decline in the first half of 2024.

Increased transactions, and the fact that valuation multiples have remained consistent, indicate renewed investor confidence following a period of caution stemming from macroeconomic and regulatory pressures. This momentum is expected to build in 2025, with new caps on vehicular carbon emissions spurring the electric vehicle market in Europe, and demand for cutting-edge on-board software continuing to grow.

Enterprise Software Deal Volume On The Rise, But Premiums For AI Firms Have Dwindled

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:29:00 +0100

The newest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, has revealed a surge in dealmaking in the sector, with transactions in the second half of last year up by 18% from the previous reporting period.

Commenting on the key trends fuelling deal volume, Miro Parizek, founder and Senior Partner at Hampleton Partners, said: “Transaction volumes in the sector, which have been consistently robust since the beginning of the decade, increased in the second half of last year. In total we tracked 1,981 transactions in 2024 with disclosed value of $153 billion.”

Rising Valuations and Deal Numbers Indicate Renewed Confidence in IT & Business Services Market

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0100

This follows a drop in transaction numbers seen in 1H2024, which was likely due to both macroeconomic headwinds and a normalisation of deal activity following the M&A surge seen during pandemic.

Digital Commerce dealmaking continues to climb, but buyers staying selective with targets

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0100

The new Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 2H2024 was the second consecutive six-month period to see a rise in dealmaking. However, buyers remain cautious and highly profit-conscious when selecting acquisition targets, with transaction numbers continuing to lag markedly behind what was seen during the feeding frenzy of the pandemic years.

Hampleton Partners’ Digital Commerce expert Ralph Hübner said: “Our latest market data confirms that deal flow is steadily recovering in the Digital Commerce space, although the pace of the resurgence has been kept in check by the lingering effects of recent macroeconomic headwinds.. We now see again transactions in all kind of deal sizes and a wider spread of multiples. Especially the agency and IT-services sector is back and will remain very busy.”

A Quantum Leap for Cybersecurity Startups?

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:41:00 +0100

For a long time now, quantum computing’s status as a new technology has mirrored quantum mechanical phenomena itself. That is to say, it’s been both happening and not happening: seemingly suspended in a superposition of being about to change absolutely everything, and being the impractical plaything of scientists, investors and futurists. This tantalising ambiguity has led to much talk of it being “overhyped” or even “Silicon Valley’s longest-running hoax”.

Justified though the scepticism around the hype cycle has been, the general consensus is that we are indeed on the verge of a paradigm shift in computing, with companies having recently made tangible steps forward when it comes to harnessing the power of qubits – the units of quantum information which, unlike classical binary bits, can occupy positions between 0 and 1. One of the most notable moments came in December, when Google unveiled its “Willow” quantum chip, reportedly capable of being able to solve in five minutes a problem which would require a classical computer 10 septillion years to complete.

Hampleton Partners advises thyssenkrupp Materials Services on the acquisition of WAVES

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners has advised a thyssenkrupp company on a strategic acquisition as part of a buy-side target search program. thyssenkrupp Materials Services, one of the world's leading independent materials distributors and supply chain service providers, has acquired WAVES, a leading provider of sustainability management platforms based in Luxembourg. The acquisition is an important step in expanding the sustainability product range of pacemaker, the AI subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Materials Services. As a pioneer in the field of sustainable, AI-supported supply chain solutions, pacemaker supports companies on their way to a transparent supply chain. The acquisition underlines the company's commitment to supporting its customers in their sustainability goals. The project was led on the part of Hampleton by Konstantin Kastius, Managing Director and Oliver Rupps, Sector Principal Logistics and Digital Supply Chain.

Why Embedded Finance Is a Major Momentum Driver in Fintech

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 18:09:00 +0100

One of the first eye-catching deal announcements of 2025 has come from credit rating and loan referral company ClearScore, which has acquired fellow fintech firm Aro Finance. Based in Manchester, Aro is a credit broker which embeds its marketplace platform within the digital infrastructure of clients such as Argos, Very and Asda. This allows customers to obtain personal credit and other financial products and services while they shop for, say, clothes and groceries.

The purchase represents a major expansion by ClearScore into the B2B2C sphere, and also underscores the surging appeal of embedded finance propositions to acquirers and investors. Back in 2020, TechCrunch published an article suggesting that “embedded finance might represent fintech’s future” and that “every tech company is potentially a fintech company”. All the signs are that this trend is now going from strength to strength.

4 Major Tech Trends to Expect in 2025

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0100

As 2025 progresses, our analysts will be providing expert commentary on the precise developments within specific tech sectors (you can read our 2024 reports here). But right now, with the year just getting started, it’s a good moment to pause and consider some of the prominent trends which are likely to influence M&A activity over the next 12 months…

Supply Chain Management M&A Activity Poised To Bounce Back After Temporary Slowdown, Says Hampleton Partners Report

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0100

The number of global M&A transactions in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Software sector saw a marked drop in 2024, according to a new market report by Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies.

There were 60 deals recorded, the lowest number seen in the sector during a six-month period since before the pandemic. As the report shows, M&A activity surged between 2020 and 2023, reflecting global demand among businesses for SCM solutions which could minimise the disruption to logistics triggered by the pandemic and other geopolitical crises.

While this M&A momentum has slackened in 2024, it likely represents a temporary lull brought about by macroeconomic headwinds and investor caution, rather than the start of a long-lasting downturn in the SCM sector.

Hampleton Partners advises REIFF Group on sale to Haberkorn

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners has advised the shareholders of the REIFF Group, one of the leading German suppliers of technical products and industrysolutions, on the sale to Haberkorn, one of the largest technical distributors in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Eastern Europe.

Hampleton Partners advises PAQATO on sale to easybill

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners advised the shareholders of PAQATO, Germany’s leading provider of after-sales e-commerce software, on the transaction with easybill, a German market leader in electronic invoicing and everyday business operations and a portfolio company of technology investor LEA Partners.

5 M&A Deals Which Exemplified Tech Sectors in 2024

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:02:00 +0100

Throughout this past year, as with every year, the expert analysts here at Hampleton Partners have monitored M&A developments throughout the tech industry, from Autotech to Digital Commerce, with our findings published in our sector-specific market reports.

Now, as we hurtle towards 2025, it’s an excellent moment to look back at just some of the megatrends discussed in our reports, and at the strategic acquisitions which exemplify their respective sectors. Let’s dive in.

AI fundraising is surging after temporary period of decline in deal volumes

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 19:14:00 +0100

The latest Artificial Intelligence market report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that fundraising for AI companies is now on the rise after a period of diminished deal volumes.

The report shows that, following an initial boom in fundraising which accompanied the first wave of excitement around AI in 2021 and 2022, the flow of investor capital into the sector slowed, only to pick up again in 1H2024. This trajectory can be seen both on an overall global level and in specific regions.

AI: From Foundation Models to the Tools Radically Transforming How We Work

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0100

The recently published Artificial Intelligence market report by Hampleton Partners gets into granular detail on the trends and deals shaping this space, but the general lay of the land is perhaps best summed up in the report’s introduction:

“The recent surge in AI funding is setting the stage for a future where artificial intelligence will enhance virtually every single industry. As investment continues to flow into AI companies, they are positioned to lead groundbreaking innovations and forge a new age of economic growth and technological progress.”

Yet amid the sense of genuine exhilaration surrounding AI – how often do we get to see a proper, bona fide industrial revolution unfold in real time before our eyes? – there has also been no small degree of uncertainty about take-up of the technology, and just how deeply it will be woven into the everyday lives of individuals and businesses.

Never Mind AI – Here’s the Other Big Deal Driver in IT & Business Services

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0100

Earlier this year, Gartner adjusted its estimate of total global IT spending in 2024, with the previous forecast of $5.06 trillion being bumped up to $5.26 trillion – in large part thanks to the motivating factor that’s omnipresent in the tech industry right now: generative AI.

While the current “AI moment” is certainly a major theme of the latest IT & Business Services M&A report from Hampleton Partners, our analysts have also underscored another factor which is propelling both IT spending and M&A deal activity within this space. That factor is cybersecurity, which according to a survey of global by TechTarget/Enterprise Strategy Group published this year is the highest-priority spending target of senior IT decision makers around the world.

How AI Agents Are Changing the Digital Commerce Game

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:12:00 +0200

Anyone who’s read our latest Digital Commerce M&A Report probably won’t have been surprised to see generative AI highlighted as one of the major developments energising the sector. As the report puts it, “the seismic implications of generative AI on Digital Commerce are becoming apparent”, with more and more companies looking to leverage AI solutions “to improve inventory management, plan campaigns, streamline supply chain processes and engage with customers”.

There’s particular excitement around the latter application, with AI agents increasingly being utilised to manage data relating to their customers and to act as a human-like first point of contact for B2B and B2C purchases and queries. The key word here is “human-like”. Agents are fast evolving to be uncannily naturalistic and genuinely helpful – a far cry from chatbots which deploy a stock number of rigid responses, lack a distinctive tone of voice and are frankly in no danger of ever passing the Turing test.

Why Urban Mobility is a Critically Important Space Within Autotech

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0200

The recently-published Autotech & Mobility M&A Report 2H2024 by Hampleton Partners shines a spotlight on several megatrends defining the sector right now, including how urban mobility is presenting a “critical challenge for today’s cities”.

As the report puts it, “The climate emergency and rising population densities present a daunting challenge for policy makers and city planners who must develop sustainable solutions for cutting greenhouse gasses while also ensuring communities function in an efficient, comfortable way.”

Enterprise Software Market Stays Resilient With AI Helping To Maintain Momentum

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:53:00 +0200

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 892 deals took place in 1H2024. This was only fractionally less than what was seen in the previous reporting period and indicates that the Enterprise Software sector has retained momentum.

Miro Parizek, Founder and Senior Partner at Hampleton Partners, said: “The sector maintained momentum, with Enterprise Software tools playing increasingly vital roles in allowing businesses to meeting mission-critical objectives and realize efficiencies.”

Dealmaking Decreases in Autotech & Mobility Sector, But Key Indicators Point Towards Resurgence in M&A Momentum

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:30:00 +0200

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 38 deals took place in 1H2024. This is the second consecutive decline in half-year deal numbers since the 77 transactions recorded in 1H2023, which was the second-highest volume on record.

The shift in activity reflects a general caution among investors and acquirers, with macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures instilling a more risk-averse approach. However, soaring global sales of electric vehicles, which reached a record-high in Q2 2024, together with the concurrent demand for next-gen automotive technologies such as ADAS and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, indicate that the Autotech M&A market is poised for an upwards trajectory.

Waves of consolidation are also expected to energise dealmaking, particularly within the highly fragmented EV charging segment where a plethora of smaller players are ripe targets for acquisition.

Hampleton Partners Welcomes Michael Brecht as Sector Principal for Autotech and Smart Mobility

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Brecht as Sector Principal for Autotech, Mobility, Infrastructure, and Energy.

With more than 25 years of executive experience in IT and software services, digital commerce, and smart mobility and infrastructure solutions, Michael is globally known as a panel host and keynote speaker at events ranging from e-mobility and EV summits to the World Economic Forum Seoul.

IT & Business Services M&A Deal Volume Normalises After Record-Breaking Period But IT Spending Continues to Surge

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0200

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 that the blistering activity seen in the sector in recent years has slowed, with 558 deals recorded within the sector in 1H2024. This is notably lower than what was recorded for 2H2023, and comes after a two-year period where IT & Business Services companies were acquired in record-breaking numbers.

While the subdued momentum can largely be attributed to continuing inflationary and geopolitical pressures impacting the tech industry as a whole, it may also represent a normalisation in deal activity following the boom which accompanied the worldwide digitalisation of workplaces – a phenomenon accelerated by the pandemic.

Digital Commerce M&A Activity Rises, But Investors in the Sector Remaining Selective and Focusing on Profitability

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0200

The latest Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 1,089 deals were struck in the sector in 1H2024, compared to the 1,063 deals recorded in the previous six-month period.

The modest uptick in M&A activity reflects a degree of market recovery following the post-pandemic decline. However, macroeconomic challenges and geopolitical tumult continue to have an impact, as can be seen in a fall in the trailing 30-month median revenue multiple, which has dropped for the second six-month period in a row.

5 Luxembourg Startups to Watch

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:43:00 +0200

If there’s a textbook example of a nation that punches well beyond its weight on the international stage, that nation is Luxembourg. Tucked discreetly between Belgium, Germany and France, its well known for its diminutive dimensions: you can drive the whole length of the country in around an hour and a half, and its population is less than a fourteenth the size of London’s.

Yet Luxembourg’s size is inversely proportional to its wealth and influence. According to the latest country rankings by the IMF, Luxembourg has the largest GDP per capita at purchasing power parity. It’s one of the nerve centres of the European Union, with much of its population made up of foreign nationals boasting elite-tier connections across the globe. And it’s a key financial hub, home to the European Investment Bank (the lending arm of the EU) and numerous corporate banking institutions.

Why the UK has become a global leader in AI

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0200

To say AI in the UK is going great guns would be an understatement. The country is home to twice as many companies providing AI products and services than any other country in Europe. And with a domestic AI market that’s tipped to grow to over $1 trillion by 2035, the UK is currently the third-biggest player in this sector, behind China and the United States.

A confluence of factors has pushed Britain to the vanguard of this industrial revolution. High among them is the fact that the infrastructure for innovation was put into place well before the phrase “generative AI” was on everybody’s lips.

Who are the top 5 acquirers in IT & Business Services?

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0200

Back in October last year, we reported that the IT & Business Services sector had just enjoyed bumper M&A activity, with more deals reported in 1H2023 than in any six-month period on record. Now, the release of our most recent IT & Business Services M&A report has confirmed that the sector has remained on bullish form since that data was compiled, with 2H2023 seeing the third-highest deal volume on record.

As Hampleton Partners MD Konstantin Kastius comments in the report, the high numbers “underscore continuing demand for enterprise services and solutions that are increasingly vital for remaining competitive and overcoming expertise deficits in an age of pedal-to-the-metal digital acceleration.”

Why Enterprise Software is so resilient (and the 6 subsectors attracting acquirers)

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:06:00 +0200

A couple of years ago, Gartner forecasted a growth in global business spending on workplace IT infrastructure and software, with the research firm describing the industry as “recession-proof”. An analyst noted “the shift from buying technology to building, composing and assembling technology to meet specific business drivers”, describing this shift as “foundational to the growth of cloud over on-premises” spending.

This was echoed by Forrester Research, which noted that despite soaring inflation and other headwinds, “growth in Enterprise Software spending is expected to plow on”, to the extent that “leading software vendors can raise prices consistently without losing demand, resulting in high and stable margins.”

3 Megatrends Fuelling M&A Momentum in Digital Commerce

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:49:00 +0200

Digital Commerce is one of Hampleton Partners’ specialisms, and our latest M&A report into this space has revealed some interesting data points. The first and most obvious takeaway is that overall transaction numbers remain markedly lower than the protracted surge we saw over the pandemic period, when the societal impact of lockdowns drove unprecedented demand for online retailers and related software solutions vendors.

But the report also highlights signs of a ripening market environment, with the cracking open of the IPO window and an appetite among investors and strategic buyers to stake their claim on game-changing developments within e-commerce.

Enterprise Software M&A Market Sees Second-Most Active Year On Record, Says Hampleton Partners Report

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0200

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that, despite a slowdown in the second half of the year, there were 1,881 deals involving companies in the sector in 2023, making it the second-most active year on record.

The report also reveals that strategic buyers are continuing to account for a higher proportion of deals in the sector, with the share of private equity acquirers having dipped since the pandemic. However, private equity acquirers are paying significantly higher EV/revenue and EBITDA multiples than their strategic counterparts.

How Autonomous Driving Is Accelerating Towards Its Own ChatGPT Moment

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 21:00:00 +0200

There’s no denying that the autonomous driving industry has hit more than a few speed bumps of late. Earlier this year, the sector witnessed one of the most high-profile failures we can ever remember seeing in tech: the abrupt shutdown of Project Titan, Apple’s long-gestating, much-whispered-about self-driving car project.

Back in 2015, Apple COO Jeff Williams set tongues wagging when he described the car as the “ultimate mobile device”. Yet, despite tantalising rumours of high-level meetings with legacy OEMs, thousands of Apple staff being brought onto the programme, and at least 450,000 miles of autonomous driving testing logged, the almost decade-long project was unceremoniously junked in February.

Digital Commerce M&A Deal Volume Down Last Year But Deal Pipeline Noticeably Filling

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0200

The latest Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals the sector experienced a decline in deal numbers throughout 2023, with 1,063 transactions in 2H2023 compared to the 1,220 recorded in the first half of the year. Relative valuation multiples also showed a downward trajectory.

However, M&A volumes have continued to track higher than in the years preceding the pandemic, and there has been increased deal activity in 1Q2024.

IT & Business Services M&A Activity Remains Robust With Third-Largest Recorded Deal Volume

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0200

While falling short of the record-breaking high of 834 attained in the first half of 2023, this is the third-biggest deal volume yet seen in the sector, continuing the trend of transaction numbers within IT & Business Services being markedly higher than in the years prior to the pandemic.

Deal Numbers in Autotech & Mobility Sector Remain Robust As More Nations Pass EV Sales Tipping Point

Tue, 14 May 2024 09:00:00 +0200

The latest global Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for software and technology companies, reveals that 63 deals were recorded in the sector during the second half of 2023.

While this is a dip compared to the previous six-month period, which saw the second-highest number of Autotech & Mobility transactions on record, it is significantly higher than what was seen in the doldrums of 2H2022, and reflects widespread sentiment among sector experts that the recent loss of EV sales momentum may only represent a temporary lull before a new phase of growth.

6 Belgium Tech Startups to Watch

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0100

Belgium is synonymous with ornate architecture, moules-frites, world-beating beers and the European Union. It’s somewhat less universally associated with trailblazing tech, but this belies the vibrancy of the startup scene which exists in this small nation of just under 12 million people.

6 Ireland Tech Startups to Watch

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0100

Think “tech” and “Ireland”, and you’d be forgiven for immediately thinking about the enviable concentration of tech behemoths which have selected Dublin as their base of Europe, Middle East and Africa operations.

While the presence of the likes of Google, Facebook and LinkedIn has undoubtedly made the Irish capital one of the most significant industry hubs in the world, a number of factors also make the country an ideal launching pad for hungry young startups which are blazing trails and drawing attention from investors.

Why Defence Tech Is No Longer Taboo

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0100

Think of the most talked-about tech sectors of the past decade or so – the ones that are always in the tech press headlines, generating a steady stream of articles accompanied by photos of intrepid founders wearing branded t-shirts and positively glowing with excitement after completing major investment rounds.

You’ll probably be thinking of sectors like fintech, climatetech, autotech, quantum computing, and AI (of course). What probably won’t spring immediately to mind is defence tech, a sector which has – to use an apt metaphor – traditionally flown under the radar.

4 Rising UK Fintechs to Watch in 2024

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Fintech certainly wasn’t immune from tech industry headwinds last year, with total worldwide invested being cut almost in half compared to the year before. While the UK fintech sector inevitably saw a decrease in investment in line with this global trend, it has comfortably retained its position as one of the world’s most prominent fintech hubs, being second only to the US in terms of money raised, and racking up more investment than the next 28 European countries combined.

The Top 5 German Startup Hubs Right Now

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

The German Startup Association recently released its latest report into the country’s business scene, revealing the cities with the most new startups per capita. There’s no prizes for guessing that Berlin has come out at number one, and it also won’t come as a total surprise to see that Munich is at the number two spot.

However, the remaining spots in the top five will be less familiar to those outside Germany’s tech ecosystem, and they highlight a growing democratisation of talent and funding beyond what were the go-to epicentres of innovation and industry.

Why The Autotech Industry Is Having a Rude Awakening

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0100

Arrival, the formerly mega-hyped British-based maker of next-generation vehicles, has been delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange, making it yet another EV SPAC company to suffer a spectacular fall from grace since the blank check boom of 2020-2021.

Manufacturers of all stripes are also coming up against market headwinds and the formidable juggernaut that is the Chinese EV industry, which as Elon Musk recently noted could “pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world”.

With all this going on, it’s a good moment to pause and take stock of recent events, and the challenges facing both EV startups and OEMs going forwards. Let’s start with…

3 Reasons Why Tech M&A Is Set To Bounce Back in 2024

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Is the tech M&A market set for an almighty rebound in 2024? Many analysts and senior dealmakers believe so, sounding a loud and very welcome note of optimism after a protracted market slowdown.

5 Major Tech Trends to Expect in 2024

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:41:00 +0100

As we settle into a new year, it’s the natural moment to look ahead to tech trends and developments that are on the horizon. As ever, our analysts will be charting M&A deals and patterns within individual verticals (you can read our 2023 reports here), but here are some sectors and business types which we already know will define 2024.

How EV Charging Has Shaped Up in 2023

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0100

Few tech sectors have undergone as much radical transformation as the automotive space. Our latest M&A report summed it up in its very first sentence: “The global automotive industry continues to see tremendous disruption in the makeup of investors and buyers who are vying to own and supply the vehicle of the future.”

These players are focusing on a number of key categories within autotech, including autonomous driving technology, new modes of mobility, and the fiercely competitive EV charging subsector. When it comes to the latter segment, we’ve seen a surge in M&A deals targeting EV infrastructures over the past few years, with an all-time high figure of 13 deals seen in 1H2022.

Let’s delve into some of the most significant acquisitions, fundraises and innovations to have unfolded this year, kicking off with a purchase by a household name.

4 Recent E-Commerce Deals To Know About

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

There’s been a slew of significant transactions within the e-commerce sector in recent months, which won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s read our most recent Digital Commerce M&A report covering developments in the industry throughout the first half of this year.

Our report showed that, following a brief drop in deal activity in the wake of the 2021/early 2022 boom, M&A volume has been incrementally increasing. Indeed, 1H2023 saw more deals inked than in any six-month period pre-pandemic.

The deals have kept on coming in the latter half of 2023, so let’s take a look at some which have caught our eye here at Hampleton Partners.

Is Personal AI About to Change Everything?

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

By now, everyone knows that generative AI is a once-in-a-generation (if not once-in-a-century) game-changer, and the general discourse is justifiably focused on how automated coding and the instant generation of creative works will affect industries and jobs around the world. But we’re now also seeing more speculation about another radically disruptive branch of AI. Namely, personal AI.

The possibilities of personal AI were recently articulated by no less a figure than Bill Gates, writing on his personal blog. After bluntly stating that “in many ways, software is still pretty dumb” (a reassuring sentiment for those who believe AI is just steps away from rising up against us, Terminator-style), Gates went on to write:

The 3 IT & Business Services Subsectors Which Are a Magnet For M&A

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0100

When it comes to investment and M&A activity, it’s fair to say that many spaces within the tech industry have recently had an experience akin to a log flume ride at a fairground. That is to say, an abrupt and vertiginous climb (as the pandemic unfolded and the importance of tech solutions became starkly clear) followed by a dramatic drop, with splashes of cold water hitting quite a few investors, entrepreneurs and industry commentators alike.

But one tech space – IT & Business Services – has had a far less turbulent journey over the past few years. In fact, as our newest IT & Business Services report has revealed, deal numbers have enjoyed a sustained rise since 1H2021, with the first half of this year seeing the biggest ever deal volume on record.

How AI is Disrupting the Enterprise Software Space

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0200

The recent release of our Enterprise Software market report revealed that 2023 has, so far, been a very strong period for M&A deals in this sector. In fact, the first six months of the year saw one of the biggest transaction volumes on record, representing a significant gain in momentum after the dip that affected the whole tech industry in 2022.

IT & Business Services Sector Experiences Highest-Ever Number of M&A Transactions, Says Hampleton Partners Report

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0200

London, UK – 17 October 2023. The latest IT & Business Services M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that 712 deals were made within the sector in 1H2023. This is the largest deal volume for any six-month period on record, representing a 2% increase on the previous largest deal volume, seen in 1H2022.

“As global spending on IT continues to grow faster than the global economy, we see a healthy environment for continued high pace of M&A activity in the IT Services sector,” said Hampleton Partners Managing Director Konstantin Kastius. “Additionally, we see a high demand for certain expertise including AI will drive further the healthy pace of deal activity in 2023.”

5 Digital Commerce Deals Defining the Sector in 2023

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0200

The newest Digital Commerce report from Hampleton Partners has shown that deal numbers in the sector are on the up and up following a plunge seen in the wake of the pandemic’s M&A boom. And by “up and up”, we mean precisely that. As our report reveals, transactions have risen in a sustained and incremental fashion since the lowest point of the dip in Q32022, when we recorded 442 deals.

Enterprise Software M&A Deal Volume Surges Amid Renewed Confidence in the Market, Says Hampleton Partners Report

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0200

London, UK – 10 October 2023. The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that the first half of 2023 saw the number of M&A transactions in this sector show a significant increase on the prior six-month period.

Hampleton Partners’ analysts recorded 923 deals involving Enterprise Software companies in the half-year, which – while not quite rising to the level of 1H2022’s all-time high of 1,015 – is a marked improvement on the 841 deals seen in 2H2022.

This signals fresh confidence in the sector following the mid-2022 market correction triggered by geopolitical tensions and post-pandemic interest rate and inflationary hikes.

Who Will Win the Race for AI Supremacy in Europe?

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0200

At this point, you certainly don’t have to work in tech to be aware of the world-changing impact of generative AI, whose advent is being widely framed as a new industrial revolution. This is reflected in the feeding frenzy of investment in AI startups across multiple sectors. Those with deep pockets are more than willing to invest in companies in their very earliest stages – see Mistral AI, which secured Europe’s biggest-ever seed round ($113 million) within four weeks of founding.

Digital Commerce M&A Deal Volume Surges to Exceed Pre-Pandemic Figures, Says Hampleton Partners Report

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:00:00 +0200

London, UK – 04 October 2023. The latest Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that 1,017 transactions were recorded in the first half of 2023. This is considerably higher than deal volumes seen in the years leading to the pandemic, indicating strong market bounceback following the dramatic dip observed in the latter quarters of 2022.

6 Tech Firms Which Are Solving Supply Chain Challenges

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0200

In recent years there’s been an unprecedented focus on global supply chains. There are several reasons for this – not least the serious logistical disruptions brought about by the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, labour shortages, soaring energy costs, and severe inflation. This has opened up equally unprecedented opportunities for startups which have developed tech tools that can optimise their clients’ supply chains.

Why We Shouldn’t Feel Down About Down Rounds

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0200

One of the most notable developments in the tech world in recent times has been the plethora of startups which have undertaken down rounds. This trend was starkly emphasised by research published in May, which revealed that the number of funding rounds raising capital at reduced company valuations almost quadrupled in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the previous year.

Autotech & Mobility Sector Sees Second-Highest Number of M&A Deals Ever Recorded in a Six-Month Period, Says Hampleton Partners’ Report

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0200

London, UK – 13 September 2023. The latest global Autotech & Mobility M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that 68 transactions were recorded in the first half of 2023. This is the second-largest deal volume of any six-month period within the sector, just behind the all-time high of 76 transactions recorded in 1H2022.

The EV and AI revolutions, along with surging interest in technologies addressing autonomous driving, sustainability and customer experience, have helped drive market activity, with OEMs expanding their product portfolios and acquiring companies developing disruptive solutions for the sector.

An Interview with Anna Gullstrand

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0200

Anna Gullstrand is the Chief People & Culture Officer at Mentimeter, a leading audience engagement SaaS platform based in Stockholm. She won the prestigious SaaS Leader of the Year Award at BreakIt’s 2002 SaaS Summit, with the prize being presented by Hampleton Partners’ Nordics Director Michel Annink.

6 Sportstech Startups Racing for Success

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:05:00 +0200

We hear a lot, in both the tech and mainstream press, about the latest movers and shakers in fintech, climatetech and healthtech. These terms are comprehensively hashtagged and namechecked by excited industry commentators eagerly surveying the landscape for the next headline-making innovator and investor-magnet.

Slightly underreported by comparison is sportstech, a thriving field of firms which are altering the way sports fans and athletes alike are engaging with their passions.

Why Investors are Focusing on Digital Supply Chain Solutions

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:30:00 +0200

Recently joining Hampleton Partners as Sector Principal for digital logistics solutions and tech-enabled supply chain management, Oliver Rupps brings years of experience as CEO of companies involved in the industrial, automotive and logistics sectors. Not to mention being a seasoned founder and investor in his own right. In this interview, he provides his personal thoughts and insights into global supply chains delving into the significance of digital solutions for tech investors and M&A dealmakers right now.

4 Early Stage UK VC Firms You Should Know About

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:24:00 +0200

The UK attracts more tech investment than anywhere else in Europe. Figures gathered by Dealroom and London & Partners show that tech firms based in London alone raised $19.8 billion in 2023, which was significantly higher than investment racked up by another European city. In all, UK tech firms secured $22.9 billion in funding, making this the world’s third biggest country for tech investment, just behind the US and China.

6 UK Tech Firms Poised to Break the Billion Dollar Barrier

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:56:00 +0200

The United Kingdom is home to the highest number of future unicorns in Europe. That’s according to a new report by venture capital firm Creandum, drawing on data from Dealroom. While the report hails the whole of Europe as a “global tech challenger”, it highlights how the UK is surging ahead when it comes to burgeoning tech firms, with 34% of Europe’s “soonicorns” being based here.

Hampleton Partner advises STAGIL on acquisition by TIMETOACT Group

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:23:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners advised STAGIL GmbH, one of Germany’s largest Atlassian Platinum and Enterprise Solution Partners, on the integration with TIMETOACT GROUP. The international M&A and Corporate Finance Advisory firm for technology companies supported STAGIL during every phase of the transaction process.

The HRTech Trends and Tools You Need to Know About

Wed, 24 May 2023 13:16:00 +0200

The latest HRTech report from Hampleton is full of insights into this sector, and sheds light on just how bullish it is. The stats speak for themselves: transaction volume has surged by 282% since 2020, with the total disclosed value reaching the $11 billion mark at the end of last year. Private equity investors have shown continuing enthusiasm for companies in this space, spearheading nearly half of the transactions in 2H2022.

How AI Is Just What the Doctor Ordered for Healthtech

Thu, 18 May 2023 12:30:00 +0200

Since the earth-shaking arrival of platforms like ChatGPT and Midjourney last year, much of the media attention on AI has focused on its uncanny ability to mimic human creativity when it comes to music, writing and the visual arts. But, as experts as disparate as Stability AI founder Emad Mostaque and the government’s former chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance have noted, the arrival of AI represents a new Industrial Revolution which is changing the game in every conceivable space. Not least, medicine and healthtech.

5 European Tech Soonicorns to Watch

Fri, 12 May 2023 15:02:00 +0200

Back in 2013, venture capitalist Aileen Lee wrote a watershed article for TechCrunch which introduced one of the most popular terms in the tech lexicon: unicorn. A decade on, the term is one of the most-used in the tech world. It’s even spawned related words like decacorn (a company valued at over $10 billion) and the yet-to-exist superunicorn (a company that breaks the $1 trillion barrier).

6 Ways to Fund Your Tech Startup

Wed, 03 May 2023 11:07:00 +0200

Taking your tech idea from dream to reality will undoubtedly be one of the biggest adventures of your life. And, as with any adventure, there will be challenges to overcome. Chief among these may be generating enough funding to both get your startup off the ground and scale it appropriately. The good news is there are several options available to UK founders, not counting taking out business loans or bootstrapping, so let’s discuss them in turn.

9 Key Takeaways from Our New Tech Market Reports

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:53:00 +0200

Discussing the most active M&A dealmakers, analysing prominent trends determining the course of each sector, and putting a spotlight on specific transactions, the reports provide valuable briefings for tech owners and decision makers. Here are just some of the key insights our readers have gleaned so far this year.

6 Nordic Startups to Watch in 2023 (And Beyond)

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 10:49:00 +0200

Stockholm is a fitting location for the event, having more tech unicorns per capita than anywhere else, bar Silicon Valley. The tech industry in the Nordic region in general has been going great guns, with 10 new unicorns emerging in 2022 and plenty of fresh-faced startups to keep an eye on. Here are some that have been on our radar.

6 Startups Changing Everything with AI

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:56:00 +0200

Some technologies go far beyond being merely innovative, altering not simply their respective industries but the way society as a whole functions. Two great examples of this over the past few decades have been the arrival of social media platforms and smartphones, both of which fundamentally re-shaped how we live, work, date, and generally exist. The sudden ubiquity of AI promises to be an even more seismic step for society.

Why IoT Companies Will Boom in 2023

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 11:01:00 +0200

Referring to physical objects that are equipped with sensors and connected to the internet, the Internet of Things has always been an oddly clunky term for such a significant and pervasive technological development. But while it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, the Internet of Things, or IoT, has certainly been on industry leaders’ lips lately, with VC funding reaching new heights.

5 Deep Tech Trends Which Founders Need to Know About

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:48:00 +0100

The European Innovation Council, a body which supports high-impact, super-disruptive technologies in the EU, recently announced a massive €331 million investment windfall for an eclectic range of startups. What they have in common is that they’re all deep tech companies, and the announcement underscores how much interest deep tech is generating in 2023.

Hampleton featured in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Leader and more (2023)

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:52:00 +0100

Hampleton's reports have recently been featured in the Wall Street Journal and other media publications.

4 Social Media Startups You Haven’t Heard Of

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:55:00 +0100

The number of people who are currently plugged into one or more of the many social media networks out there has never been higher. According to the most recent data, almost 4.8 billion people – that’s well over half the planet’s population – use social media. The numbers are also growing at a rapid clip, with around 137 million new social media users creating accounts in 2022.

Enterprise Software M&A Achieves Record Growth, Despite Shrink In Private Equity Investment, Says Hampleton Partners' Report

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:06:00 +0100

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals how the sector maintained its high-growth trajectory in 2022 with a record-breaking 1,837 deals, up 8 per cent compared to 2021’s 1,702 deals.

IT & Business Tech: The 3 Spaces Acquirers Care About

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 10:39:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners’ newest IT & Business Tech industry report is now out, and one of the key takeaways comes right at the start. Namely: “Worldwide IT spending is projected to total $4.6 trillion in 2023, an increase of 5.1% from 2022.”

What is the New New Normal for Digital Commerce?

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:30:00 +0100

The Digital Commerce sector has experienced precipitous highs and equally stark lows since the coming and going of the Covid-19 pandemic. With Hampleton Partners recently releasing our newest M&A report into this space (which you can read here), this is a good moment to take stock of what’s been happening, and cast our eye over what could be termed the “new new normal” for e-commerce.

5 Reasons You Should Get into HRTech in 2023

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 10:39:00 +0100

“What used to be a slow-moving corporate technology space a decade ago is now a multi-billion dollar market of HR cloud solutions that address the needs for the future of work.” That’s how Hampleton Partners Director Axel Brill has summed up where HRTech is at right now, highlighting the sector’s rapid rise to significance.

Autotech & Mobility Sector M&A Achieves Record High With 119 Deals, Says Hampleton Partners' Report

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:29:00 +0100

Electric Vehicles are the major driving force of the sector. The latest global Autotech & Mobility M&A Market report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that 119 deals were struck in 2022, up 17 per cent on 2021’s figure.

How BaaS Startups are Changing Banking Forever

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:34:00 +0100

Software-as-a-service, where companies offer cloud-based applications to their clients on a non-ownership basis, allowing them to avoid splurging on expensive in-house infrastructures, has become thoroughly ingrained in our professional and personal lives. It’s certainly yielded rich rewards for the numerous SaaS startups that have sprung up in recent years, with the “as-a-service” model being continually adapted in eclectic ways.

Demand For It & Business Services M&A Grows By 37 Per Cent As Enterprises Respond To Economic Turmoil, Says Hampleton Partners

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:47:00 +0100

The latest global IT & Business Services M&A Market report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that sector transaction volume in 2022 increased by 37 per cent year-on-year with a total of 1,310 recorded deals, up from 899 in 2021.

The DACH Tech Scene in 4 Deals

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 11:24:00 +0100

The DACH region comprises Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH) - in other words, the German-speaking heartland of Europe. Home to well over 100 million people, the DACH region is also where you'll find a thriving tech ecosystem, featuring both legacy players and a rich variety of exciting startups.

Digital Commerce M&A Normalises After Record-Breaking 699 Deals In Q1 2022, Reveals Hampleton Partners

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 11:13:00 +0100

Digital Commerce M&A experienced a record-breaking start to 2022 with 699 recorded deals, according to Hampleton Partners' Digital Commerce M&A Market Report, published today, as the Covid-inspired digitalisation of both work and home, and investor interest in the sector continued to impact the sector.

5 Robot Startups That Have the Droids You’re Looking For

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 12:06:00 +0100

Think of the tech industry and the most talked-about startups out there, and chances are it’s software that immediately springs to mind. Our minds turn to SaaS platforms that optimise hybrid working practises, fintech payment portals in the B2B space, digital twin technology for construction, sophisticated cybersecurity innovations for the Web3 age, and of course whatever the latest social media and gaming innovations are.

Boom in HRTech M&A with $11 Billion Investment Reveals Hampleton Partners

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 12:57:00 +0100

The HRTech M&A Market Report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that HRTech deal transaction value achieved nearly $11 billion in 2022, an increase of 282 per cent since the pandemic in 2020.

The Nordic Startup Scene in 4 Deals

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 11:15:00 +0100

The Nordic region boasts one of the most exciting and influential tech ecosystems on the planet. Many companies born in the Nordics have played a fundamental role in the digital revolution that has taken place over the past few decades. Think the world-changing likes of Skype, Spotify and Klarna.

7 Do’s and Don’ts For Getting the Best Possible M&A Deal

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:26:00 +0100

Whether you're a tech founder or senior executive, embarking on the M&A process can be undeniably daunting. You’ll obviously want to maximise your chances of getting the best outcome from the sale of your company, but how can you ensure you’re on the right path?

5 Big Tech Trends to Expect in 2023

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 10:25:00 +0100

We recently wrote about some of the major tech takeovers in 2022 and what they said about larger M&A patterns in the industry. We’ve also looked back at seven key developments across the whole tech world this year. But now that the new year is only a couple of days old (where did the time go?), it’s time to look ahead and consider what major trends are coming our way in 2023.

Hampleton featured in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Leader and more (2022)

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:42:00 +0100

Hampleton's reports have recently been featured in the Wall Street Journal and other media publications.

7 Things That Happened In Tech in 2022

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:26:00 +0100

Well, it’s certainly been a dramatic year in tech, and we’re not just talking about the world’s richest man walking into Twitter HQ holding a sink in his hands. Aside from such headline-making industry shake-ups, there’s understandably been much media commentary about the extent to which investments, valuations and M&A deals have been impacted by the world’s adjustment to the post-pandemic landscape.

7 Major Tech Takeovers of 2022

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:22:00 +0100

2022 has been a rollercoaster for the tech industry, but that was to be expected. After all, this was the year we emerged from the pandemic-fuelled reorganisation of everyday life which had had such an impact on tech use and, consequently, tech investment in 2020 and 2021.

Who Are the 5 Biggest IT & Business Services Dealmakers?

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:44:00 +0100

Is global financial volatility causing company CIOs to tighten their belts when it comes to spending on IT & business services? Quite the opposite.

6 Rules for Bootstrapping Your Tech Startup

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 13:38:00 +0100

In 2021, the online marketing platform Mailchimp was sold to Intuit for $12 billion, in what was the biggest ever exit by a bootstrapped tech company.

Who Are The 5 Biggest Fintech Dealmakers?

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:56:00 +0100

This has been a bumpy year for various tech markets. But if there’s one vertical that’s been weathering the storm, it’s fintech. Exactly a decade on from 2012, the year that, in the words of a recent TechCrunch article, “fintech morphed into a sustained movement that would drastically changed how most people manage their money”, the sector has managed to defy the downturn.

5 Exciting Startups Led by Women

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 13:24:00 +0100

When it comes to the range of solutions offered across countless verticals, the tech industry has never been more diverse. But there’s still plenty of scope for improvement when it comes to gender parity among founders and leaders.

Proptech on the rise as residential and commercial real estate investors look to battle inflationary pressures and rising interest rates, reveals Hampleton Partners

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:52:00 +0100

The Proptech M&A Market Report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that the first half of 2022 saw 55 property technology (Proptech) deals, 57 per cent up on 1H2020 and 12 per cent up on 1H2021 numbers.

4 UK VR Startups Changing How We See the World

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:32:00 +0100

Tech aficionados of a certain age will have vivid memories of the original virtual reality boom of the 1990s. The emphasis back then, as far as most people were concerned, was squarely on the entertainment possibilities of this futuristic, sci-fi technology.

Hampleton advises on Sale of Omnio Edge to IBM

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 18:22:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners has advised Omnio.net ApS on its transaction with IBM (NYSE:IBM).

Why You Should Set Up an Impact Startup

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 10:20:00 +0200

What do investors expect from the startups they plough money into? Lots of money back, naturally. But in recent years we’ve seen a significant paradigm shift, with those brandishing big bucks increasingly looking to propel companies that yield a positive societal impact as well as financial returns.

Tech in 2022: Key Takeaways So Far

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:16:00 +0200

Now that we’re in the final quarter of 2022, it’s a perfect moment to pause and assess this year’s tech market trends. This has certainly been a dramatic period, with inflationary pressures, hiked interest rates and geopolitical issues all affecting the global M&A market.

4 Open Banking Startups Making Waves in Fintech

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 11:05:00 +0200

There’s been a quiet revolution in how we can manage our money. Over the past several years, with very little fanfare, fundamental changes to the finance system have allowed customers to give authorised companies direct access to their bank account details. This is known as open banking, and it’s one of the booming subsectors within fintech.

5 Ways to Keep Employees During the Great Reshuffle

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 07:23:00 +0200

Call it the Great Resignation, the Great Reshuffle, the Big Quit – call it what you will, there’s no denying the radical workforce shifts that have taken place since the pandemic hit.

Record Q1 Digital Commerce global M&A market transactions knocked back to pre-pandemic levels in Q2 & Q3 2022, says Hampleton Partners' report

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:43:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners’ Digital Commerce M&A Market report reveals that whilst the number of global M&A deals in Q1 shot up to 699, things took a sharp turn in Q2 2022, when 544 deals were recorded, down 22 per cent on the previous quarter. Q3 experienced a further decline in deal making with 410 deals announced, a 41 per cent drop from Q1.

Hampleton Partners appoints Konstantin Kastius as Managing Director expanding its Frankfurt office

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:30:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners is pleased to announce the appointment of Konstantin Kastius to the position of Managing Director based in Hampleton’s Frankfurt office.

Why Enterprise Software is Downturn-Proof

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 21:08:00 +0200

The story of the global tech M&A market in recent times has been a tale of two halves. There was a rise in transactions in 2021, causing many commentators to ponder how long the bump would last.

Why Cars Are Now ‘Driving Smartphones’

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0200

Few industries in recent times have undergone a transformation as radical and all-encompassing as the automotive sector.

This seismic disruption is about far more than the mainstream take-up of the electric motor and the end being seemingly nigh for the internal combustion engine.

Skilled staff shortage and cybersecurity concerns drive "super growth" in IT & Business Services M&A, says Hampleton Partners

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 08:57:00 +0200

The latest global IT & Business Services M&A Market report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that sector transaction volume reached a record 699 deals in 1H2022, a massive 92 per cent increase year-on-year.

4 Reasons ESG Reporting Can Be Vital For Your Business

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:50:00 +0200

ESG is the acronym on everyone’s lips, and business is booming. Hampleton’s new report into the ESG M&A market has revealed that, amid all the economic turbulence of 2022, this sector has remained in rude health. In fact, the first half of this year saw M&A deals involving ESG firms rise by 173% compared to the equivalent period in 2019.

Global Fintech M&A continues two-year climb to defy broader M&A slowdown, says Hampleton Partners' report

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 09:54:00 +0200

The latest Hampleton Partners’ Fintech M&A Report, reveals that global Fintech M&A rose sharply in the first half of 2022 with 591 recorded deals, defying the broader M&A slowdown.

How Cybersecurity is Bracing for the Web3 Age

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:44:00 +0200

The internet is undergoing an immense paradigm shift, with the implications of Web3 being widely discussed by tech entrepreneurs, investors and journalists alike. It’s set to be an evolutionary step every bit as world-changing as the rise of Web2.

Enterprise Software sector experiences an M&A frenzy with 1,015 recorded deals in first half of 2022, says Hampleton Partners' report

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:50:00 +0200

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals the sector experienced a frenzy of M&A activity during the first six months of 2022, with a total of 1,015 deals recorded, breaking the previous record of 953 deals in 2H2021.

How Telemedicine Can Tackle Inequality

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:24:00 +0200

Hampleton’s last Healthtech market report noted how the lockdown era turned telemedicine from a niche vertical into one of the most societally significant and sought-after tech sectors.

Autotech & Mobility M&A at an all time high as 'mega trends' transform car buying and driving - Hampleton Partners' report

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 17:06:00 +0200

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A Market Report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that with 64 deals recorded in the first half of 2022, deal volume in the sector is currently at an all-time high.

Why Everyone’s Talking About Conversational Commerce

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 12:54:00 +0200

German startup Charles recently announced a $20 million Series A raise, which came hot on the heels of a $6.5 million seed round in 2021. These are good numbers for a company that’s only existed a few years, and speaks to a growing appetite for what Charles offers.

ESG tech sector M&A momentum on the rise as regulators and investors demand robust reporting, reveals Hampleton Partners

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 10:17:00 +0200

The Environmental, Social & Governance Technology M&A Market Report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that the first half of 2022 saw 93 deals target an ESG firm, a 173 per cent increase on 1H2019 numbers.

4 Eye-Catching UK Startups from Outside London

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:30:00 +0200

It’s no secret that these are bumpy times for tech companies and anyone involved in investment and M&A. But, amid all the less-than-happy headlines about startups downsizing and investors battening down the hatches, there has also been fresh research which is cause for optimism – particularly for UK founders and executives.

Will Enterprise Browsers Become the Norm for Businesses?

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:43:00 +0200

It’s not very often that we see an entirely new ‘genre’ emerge in tech, but that is exactly what’s happened with the development of the enterprise browser.

5 UK Incubators and Accelerators Which Founders Should Know About

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:04:00 +0200

Launching your own tech company is likely to be one of the most exciting decisions of your life. But the practical implications can, let’s face it, be a bit of a buzzkill.

How Digital Twin Startups Are Changing How Data is Visualised

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:22:00 +0200

There’s been a lot of talk in recent times around healthtech, fintech and e-commerce. But there’s another burgeoning sector that’s slipped under most people’s radars, while attracting increasing interest from investors. We’re talking about digital twins.

Why B2B Is The Way Forward for Buy Now, Pay Later

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 11:38:00 +0200

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) startups offering point-of-sale credit to shoppers have been among the most talked-about tech companies in recent years. In the UK alone, the use of BNPL products nearly quadrupled in 2020, and over 15 million people were drawn to companies like Klarna and Clearpay last year. It’s also been estimated that the number of BNPL users in the US hit the 45 million mark in that same period.

Hampleton featured on Finance Magazin’s M&A Monday

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:13:00 +0200

The latest edition of Finance Magazin’s M&A Monday is now live! Featuring tech sector insights from Hampleton Partners' Jan Eiben, Julian Riedlbauer of GP Bullhound and Franz Reiffenstuel from Deutsche Private Equity.

4 Ways AI is Changing Healthcare

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:32:00 +0200

Hampleton’s newest Healthtech report makes for happy reading for founders in the industry.

5 Digital Commerce Startups to Watch

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:36:00 +0200

E-commerce helped get us through the pandemic, but many commentators have been wondering how companies in this space will fare now that lockdowns are (largely) a thing of the past.

Got Any ID?: How Startups Are Disrupting the Way We Verify Who We Are

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 12:21:00 +0200

Even if the days of being asked to prove your age are long behind you, chances are you’ll remember having to fumble around for your ID while trying to get into a venue.

Healthtech After Covid: A Post-Pandemic Overview

Thu, 26 May 2022 18:00:00 +0200

An unsurprising side effect of the pandemic was the huge rise in investment in healthtech companies. As recorded in Hampleton’s latest sector report, healthtech companies raised an impressive $57.2 billion in funding in 2021, which was an almost 80% increase from 2020. But was this a temporary spike fuelled by a global health crisis, or will growth be sustained?

The Other Winners in the Electric Vehicle Revolution

Mon, 23 May 2022 11:18:00 +0200

We’re living in an exciting era of technological disruption across countless industries. One of the most striking transformations – which promises to be radically consequential for both society and the environment – is occurring within the automotive world.

Hampleton Partners advises akquinet enterprise solutions GmbH on its acquisition by Pathlock backed by Vertica Capital Partners

Tue, 17 May 2022 13:13:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised akquinet enterprise solutions GmbH, a leading provider of SAP cybersecurity & access governance software, on its acquisition by Pathlock backed by New York-based Vertica Capital Partners, a growth-oriented private equity investor with a focus on the software sector.

B2B2C: A Surging Trend in Digital Commerce

Tue, 17 May 2022 10:06:00 +0200

You don’t have to be directly involved in the business world to know that the phrases “B2B” and “B2C” refer to business-to-business and business-to-consumer transaction models. But what, precisely, does “B2B2C” refer to?

How tech is tackling the mental health pandemic

Tue, 10 May 2022 10:52:00 +0200

Tech innovators working within the mental health subsector have been seeing significant interest from investors. As our newest Healthtech M&A report discusses, investment in mental health-related tech companies hit more than $5.5 billion in 2021, a rise of 139% from the year before.

How SaaS is a game-changer for hospitality

Tue, 03 May 2022 10:16:00 +0200

Following a marked slowdown in 2020, there’s been an uptick in M&A activity involving firms specialising in hospitality vertical software.

Beyond Tesla: the 4 EV trailblazers you haven’t heard of

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:28:00 +0200

With all the commentary around world-spanning companies, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger EV picture. Here are four lesser-known companies playing their part in the global transition.

Should you outsource ERP implementation?

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:31:00 +0200

ERP software applications are invaluable for marshalling data and facilitating the free flow of communication between the various parts of a business, such as marketing, production, finance and HR. Should this task be outsourced, or handled in-house?

'Digital Health' investments surged by 79 per cent in 2021, says Hampleton Partners' healthtech report

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:47:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners’ latest Healthtech M&A Market Report highlights how the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the inadequacies and opportunities in the world’s healthcare systems and how venture and growth capital poured into digital health companies, raising a total of $57.2 billion in funding in 2021, an increase of 79 per cent from 2020.

Four startups set to propel the circular economy

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:27:00 +0200

More and more firms are stepping up to make real, tangible contributions to change. Thanks to a generational demand for environmental responsibility and sustainability, the circular economy is proving a particularly fertile field for startups and incumbents alike.

Enterprise Software M&A soars 'post-pandemic' with 1,629 deals and $114bn in transaction value, says Hampleton report

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:39:00 +0100

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that transaction volume grew 12 per cent between 2020 and 2021, from 1,450 deals to 1,629 deals in 2021.

Electric vehicles and charging stations are engines of growth as Autotech M&A holds steady during Covid, says Hampleton report

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 11:21:00 +0100

The latest Autotech & Mobility M&A Market Report from Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, reveals that the appetite for Autotech & Mobility deals has remained consistent, despite the impact of Covid disruption, the global semiconductor shortage and supply chain issues.

Hampleton Partners advises Apostera on its acquisition by HARMAN

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 08:30:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners has advised Apostera, the market-leading provider of AR/MR technology for the automotive industry, on its acquisition by HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets.

Hampleton Partners advises Shopware on its USD 100 million growth capital raise from Carlyle and PayPal

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised shopware AG, a leading digital commerce software solutions provider in the DACH region, on its USD 100 million growth capital round from global investment firm Carlyle and PayPal, the global payments and commerce platform.

Digitalisation of global business helps turbocharge IT & Business Services M&A, says Hampleton report

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 07:05:00 +0100

The latest IT & Business Services M&A market report from Hampleton Partners, the international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, reveals a 23 per cent increase in the number of M&A transactions in the second-half of 2021 compared to 2H2020 - 538 deals compared to 437.

Digital Commerce M&A market will remain white-hot in 2022, says Hampleton report

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 09:42:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners’ Digital Commerce M&A report reveals that sector M&A growth is at all-time high. The sector signed over 2,317 deals in 2021, a 34 per cent increase on the 1,725 deals closed in 2020, and a 65 per cent increase on 2019 figures.

Hampleton featured in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Leader and more (2021)

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 08:42:00 +0100

Hampleton's reports have recently been featured in the Wall Street Journal and other media publications.

Thinking about selling your tech scaleup? Here’s our countdown to a sale

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:00:00 +0100

Your business is growing quickly. Your innovative technology and stellar sales team are attracting new customers and revenues are increasing. But at the back of your mind, you’re also thinking about selling your tech scaleup.

Five mistakes to avoid when selling your tech scaleup

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 12:07:00 +0100

When it comes to the UK’s fast-growth companies, research by the Scaleup Institute shows there are three key issues that CEOs are grappling with: access to markets, talent and growth capital.

Are UK tech scaleups facing a skills gap?

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:38:00 +0100

Technology companies are growing in importance to the UK economy, but helping turn small, start-up companies into fast-growing scaleups that can stay the course is a challenge.

Five UK tech scaleups most likely to succeed

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:37:00 +0200

The acceleration of digital adoption by both businesses and consumers across nearly all sectors of the UK economy is proving a boon to UK technology companies.

Hampleton Partners advises Loop54 on its acquisition by FACT-Finder and GENUI

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:08:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners has advised The Loop54 Group AB, the cutting-edge provider of AI search and personalization SaaS, on its acquisition by FACT-Finder.

Hampleton Partners advises Banking Software Company on transaction with PortfoLion and W.UP

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 10:20:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised Banking Software Company s.r.o., a 300-person strong leading provider of digital banking solutions, on its transaction with PortfoLion Zrt.

Enterprise Software M&A rides 'post-pandemic' wave with 753 deals and a record $124 billion in transaction value, says Hampleton report

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 20:18:00 +0200

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners, the international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, reveals that with 753 deals signed and a record $124 billion in transaction value achieved in the first six-months of 2021.

Why tech scaleups are key to turbocharging the UK economy

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 19:36:00 +0200

2020 pitched the world into uncertainty. For the UK, the global pandemic came hot on the heels of Brexit, compounding the confusion and unpredictability faced by both employees and businesses, and inevitably impacting the UK economy.

SPACs Autotech deals surpass $80 billion in first half of 2021, reveals new Hampleton report

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:10:00 +0200

The latest Autotech M&A Market Report from Hampleton Partners, the international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, reveals that the 12 transactions utilising special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) to prepare public offerings during the first six months of 2021 achieved $80.5 billion in deal value.

IT capabilities becoming value drivers in highly selective IT Services M&A landscape, says latest Hampleton report

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 10:10:00 +0200

The latest IT & Business Services M&A market report from Hampleton Partners, the international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, reveals that the wave of M&A interest in IT Services has abated, although valuations are picking up again.

Number of digital commerce deals skyrockets & food delivery companies raise record amounts, says latest Hampleton report

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 16:40:00 +0200

The Digital Commerce M&A sector registered 1,037 deals in the first half of 2021 – a 25 per cent increase from 787 in the same period last year – according to the latest market report from Hampleton Partners.

"A Beginner's Guide to M&A" | FAQs from Hampleton's Webinars (#9)

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:08:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners has provided tech business owners with regular webinar updates regarding M&A prospects in the current climate. In this blogpost, we have compiled questions asked during our UK and Enterprise Software webinars in May 2021 – and their answers.

Hampleton advises Jayex Healthcare Limited on acquisition of On-Premise Hospital Queue Management Business by VitalHub

Mon, 17 May 2021 14:21:00 +0200

David Bell, Director at Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, advised Jayex Healthcare Limited on the sale of its on-premise hospital queue management business segment (“Jayex system”) to VITALHUB CORP. (TSXV:VHI).

"A Beginner's Guide to M&A" | FAQs from Hampleton's Webinars (#8)

Wed, 05 May 2021 14:51:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners has provided tech business owners with regular webinar updates regarding M&A prospects in the current climate. In this blogpost, we have compiled questions asked during our DACH and Nordic webinars in April 2021 – and their answers.

"A Beginner's Guide to M&A" | FAQs from Hampleton's Webinars (#7)

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 18:34:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners has provided tech business owners with regular webinar updates regarding M&A prospects in the current climate. In this blogpost, we have compiled questions frequently asked during our webinars – and their answers.

froglogic GmbH acquired by The Qt Company

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 13:52:00 +0200

froglogic GmbH, a major provider of quality assurance tools and former beneficiary of Hampleton's M&A advisory services, has announced it is being acquired by leading global software company The Qt Company.

"A Beginner's Guide to M&A" | FAQs From Hampleton's Webinars (#6)

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 23:08:00 +0200

Since the start of the outbreak in March 2020, Hampleton Partners has provided tech business owners with regular webinar updates regarding M&A prospects in the current climate. In this blogpost, we have compiled questions frequently asked during our webinars – and their answers.

INPOSIA Solutions GmbH acquired by tax compliance automation giant Avalara

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 14:06:00 +0200

INPOSIA Solutions GmbH, a leading software company focused on e-invoicing, digital tax reporting and business and data integration for compliance requirements, has announced it is being acquired by Avalara, a leading provider of tax compliance automation.

Charge-Amps reaches key milestone in journey to IPO

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 09:36:00 +0100

Charge Amps AB, a Swedish green-tech company and maker of EV charging solutions which Hampleton supported with bespoke advisory services – has raised $15.3 million.

Autotech: SPACs Impacting Autotech Exit Market

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 18:29:00 +0100

The automobile industry was hit hard by the pandemic in the first half of 2020. By the second half of the year, however, things were looking up, and what onlookers had predicted would be a monumental decline turned out to be a more short-term hit.

M&A In The Age of Covid-19: FAQs (Part 5)

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 13:08:00 +0100

Covid Driving M&A Focus Towards Cloud IT & Outsourcing

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 11:16:00 +0100

The latest IT & Business Services M&A market report from Hampleton Partners reveals how Covid-19 has accelerated demand for cloud computing and related IT infrastructure deals.

Hampleton Partners Appoints David Bell As Director, Expanding London Office

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:28:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners is pleased to announce the appointment of David Bell to the position of Director in Hampleton’s London office.

Digital Commerce: Shift Online Gives Birth To New Unicorns & Massively Boosts Marketplaces

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:03:00 +0100

The latest Digital Commerce M&A report from Hampleton Partners shows a strong but selective M&A market in 2020 despite the mass digitalisation of consumer habits.

M&A In The Age of Covid-19: FAQs (Part 4)

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 18:07:00 +0100

Enterprise Software: Covid Spurs Record 30 Per Cent Jump In M&A Activity

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 11:31:00 +0100

The latest Enterprise Software M&A report from Hampleton Partners reveals that the number of deals targeting enterprise software assets has skyrocketed.

Hampleton featured in Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Leader and more (2019-2020)

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:46:00 +0100

Hampleton's reports have recently been featured in the Wall Street Journal and other media publications.

Tech-M&A in 2020 zeigte ein durchmischtes Bild: Covid-19 bewirkte Höhenflüge und Einbrüche

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 09:55:00 +0100

Aktuelle Analysen des international tätigen, auf den Technologiesektor spezialisierten M&A-Beratungsunternehmens Hampleton Partners zeigen die unterschiedlichen Auswirkungen der Covid-19-Pandemie auf die M&A-Aktivitäten in den Sektoren Digital Commerce, Enterprise Software, IT- & Business Services, Autotech und Healthtech.

Remote Working & Recruiting Drives Record HRTech Transaction Volumes Despite Crisis

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:07:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners' latest analysis of global HRTech M&A activity shows that working from home, initiated by the Covid-19 health crisis, has contributed to record-breaking level of deal-making in the HRTech sector, as companies battle to keep fully operational using a range of platforms and apps.

Insurtech Ecosystem Experiencing Record-Breaking Fundraising Levels & M&A Transaction Volumes

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:30:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners’ latest Insurtech M&A Report discusses the deals, trends, valuations and exit strategies for M&A activity in the insurtech sector over the past 30 months.

Covid Heightens Need for Cybersecurity in Digital World

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 09:04:00 +0100

Hampleton’s latest Cybersecurity M&A report highlights the importance of cybersecurity vendors as all industries seek protection from cyber-attacks, now that millions more people are working and learning from home.

Does the Enterprise Software M&A Market Hold Clues To Our Post-Pandemic Future?

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 11:19:00 +0100

Recent events have accelerated digital transformation across the board, and nowhere is this more apparent that in the enterprise software marketplace.

M&A In The Age of Covid-19: FAQs (Part 3)

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:55:00 +0200

Since the start of the outbreak in March 2020, Hampleton Partners has provided tech business owners with regular webinar updates regarding M&A prospects in the age of Covid-19. In this blogpost, we have compiled questions frequently asked during our webinars – and their answers.

Hampleton Partners Advises ComAround On Acquisition By BMC

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 17:20:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners has advised ComAround Scandinavia AB, the best-of-breed provider of knowledge management & digital self-service SaaS, on its acquisition by BMC, a global leader celebrating 40 years of delivering IT solutions for the Autonomous Digital Enterprise.

M&A In The Age of Covid-19: FAQs (Part 2)

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 10:41:00 +0200

Coronavirus Boosts M&A Activity In Healthtech Sector

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 07:55:00 +0200

Hampleton's first Healthtech M&A market report since the outbreak of Covid-19 shows that the health emergency and the need for social distancing have accelerated the shift to digital, speeding up the implementation and adoption of healthcare apps, telemedicine and web-based resources.

M&A In The Age of Covid-19: FAQs (Part 1)

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 07:17:00 +0200

Autotech Sector M&A Hit Hard by Covid-19, Says Hampleton M&A Report

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 10:26:00 +0200

Our latest Autotech M&A market report shows that the sector has been impacted by Covid-19 lockdown measures, economic recession and a collapse in car sales in Europe and the USA.

Record Number Of Deals Target Platforms, Marketplaces & E-Commerce Software As COVID-19 Drives Business Online

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 07:30:00 +0200

Hampleton's Digital Commerce report shows that M&A deals are targeting tools that can help businesses move online amid Covid-19.

Rapid Shift To Online Puts IT & Business Services Onto Frontline

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 06:10:00 +0200

Hampleton's latest M&A report reveals that Covid-19 is putting the IT sector on the frontline despite the pandemic’s impact on deal volumes and valuations, with IT departments and suppliers remaining crucial in the shift of entire companies online and in the e-commerce boom.

Buyers Target Videoconferencing, Healthtech and Supply Chain Logistics In More Regional Enterprise Software M&A Market

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 07:21:00 +0200

Hampleton's latest Enterprise Software M&A report outlines the changes in transaction volume and valuations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Over the past six months, buyer interest has targeted various technologies, with more interest for technologies like videoconferencing or supply chain logistics software.

Shopping 2.0: Coronavirus, Computer Vision and the Future of Retail

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 16:26:00 +0200

Computer vision could provide retailers with an invaluable lifeline and a view of the future of retail as the High Street struggles to come to terms with the fall out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Automated World: How Companies Are Using AI to Build COVID-19 Resilience

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 16:04:00 +0200

As businesses emerge from the COVID crisis we look at how the AI industry is meeting that challenge and how companies are using AI to build COVID-19 resilience.

COVID-19 Puts Artificial Intelligence M&A In the Spotlight on the Back of Record Deal Volumes in 2019

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 06:35:00 +0200

Our latest Artificial Intelligence M&A market report shows that the year 2019 saw more AI deals than across 2017 and 2018 combined.

Five Companies That Are Thriving During COVID-19

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 14:41:00 +0200

We take a look at five tech giants that are doing more than weathering the storm, how they are doing it, and, crucially, what might happen next.

What We Are Learning About the Capabilities of AI during COVID-19

Fri, 22 May 2020 16:28:00 +0200

We take a look at how AI is proving its mettle during the COVID-19 outbreak, and how it is shaping up to be a crucial ally in achieving a socially distant society.

"Tech M&A in the Time of Coronavirus": Hampleton Partners Launches Market Update Webinars

Mon, 18 May 2020 13:55:00 +0200

At Hampleton, we are running a series of webinars to support CEOs and senior management teams who need to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the M&A potential for their company.

Four Ways Technology is Helping Turn the Tide on COVID-19

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:45:00 +0200

We take a look at five ways the sector is helping to lead the charge against coronavirus, and ask if COVID-19 is healthtech’s opportunity to shine.

Thinking of Selling Your Technology Business? Tech M&A in the Time of COVID-19 (part 4)

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 11:02:00 +0200

In our fourth and final post of the series, our M&A experts Miro Parizek and Dr. Jan Eiben discuss the next steps for those considering or in the process of a technology transaction, including how to make the most of the current circumstances.

Thinking of Selling Your Technology Business? Tech M&A in the Time of COVID-19 (part 3)

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:31:00 +0200

Part 3 in our blogpost series considers which industries are poised to benefit from the lockdown measures, and which industries are having to revaluate their business models to cope with and adapt to the current situation.

Thinking of Selling Your Technology Business? Tech M&A in the Time of COVID-19 (part 2)

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 11:07:00 +0200

Are you concerned about the effects of the public health crisis on your potential M&A process and planning? Read our expert M&A piece from dealmakers Miro Parizek and Dr. Jan Eiben.

Thinking of Selling Your Technology Business? Tech M&A in the Time of COVID-19 (part 1)

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 14:47:00 +0200

The first of four blogposts on the impact of COVID-19 on technology M&A written for those considering or in the process of a technology transaction and how to take advantage of the current circumstances.

Digital Commerce as a Social Distancing Lifeline

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:02:00 +0200

The coronavirus lockdown is accelerating the pace of digital transformation in both the business and personal realms – are we witnessing a digital commerce revolution or a momentary, emergency response?

Digital Commerce M&A Finishes 2019 Strong but Faces New Challenges in the Age of Coronavirus

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 07:30:00 +0200

In the second half of 2019, the digital commerce space continued to see peak levels of M&A in terms of transaction volume, disclosed deal value and company valuations. Key drivers behind this surge include the hegemony of Amazon, B2B e-commerce and the advent of the platform age.

Hampleton Partners Advises Queue-it on Strategic Investment by GRO Capital

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:20:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised Queue-it ApS, the leading provider of a virtual waiting room SaaS, on a strategic investment by GRO Capital A/S, a leading investor with a track record of successfully investing in Northern European software companies.

Why Are Businesses Outsourcing Digital Transformation?

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:21:00 +0100

Our latest IT & Business Services M&A market report shows that the technology outsourcing sector is booming. So, what is driving this uptick in deals? Are businesses simply looking to cut costs, or is digital transformation driving a consolidation of innovation?

Private Equity Appetite for IT & Business Services Driving Deal Size

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 08:07:00 +0100

Low interest rates and favourable debt markets have made it easier for private equity firms to pick up market-leading IT businesses.

Valuable Validation: Why Investors Are Lining Up To Invest In Electronic Health Records

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:25:00 +0100

To mark the release of our 1H 2020 Healthtech M&A market report, we look at how EHR applications could play a leading role in creating the sustainable healthcare systems of the future – and how this is resonating with private equity buyers.

Healthtech: Data Revolution Puts Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence Targets for M&A

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 07:29:00 +0100

Hampleton's latest Healthtech M&A market report reveals that boom times are back, along with a rapidly increasing appetite to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve many of medicine's pressing problems.

How OEMs’ Modern Marketing Strategies Hope To Captivate The Drivers Of Tomorrow

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 07:41:00 +0100

As our latest autotech M&A report shows, automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEM) are increasingly taking control of their own marketing activities.

Autotech: Electric vs. Autonomous Vehicle Race Shapes Acquirers into Short- and Long-Term Players

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 07:30:00 +0100

Our latest Autotech M&A report reveals that there is still everything to play for in the race towards the vehicle of the future, as some acquirers bet on the short-term opportunity of electric vehicle (EV) technology, while others favour the more ambitious, long-term developments in autonomous vehicle (AV) tech.

Fintechs vs. Banks: Who Will Win the Instant Payment Battle?

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 08:50:00 +0100

As consumer and B2B customers continue to demand the instant digital payment solutions on offer from fintech players, will the big banks get left behind?

Fintech: Battle Between Incumbents and Newcomers Yields Mammoth M&A Deals and Mega-Fundraises

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 07:23:00 +0100

In our latest Fintech report, we reveal that 2019 shifted towards blockbuster M&A transactions, historically high deal count levels and impressive valuations.

3D technology, modelling and animation M&A hit primetime

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 08:26:00 +0100

After years of sitting on the side lines, 3D technology, and the software that makes it a reality, is attracting investment from major strategic buyers and tech giants.

Enterprise Software: Six-Year M&A Growth Streak Slows Down But Peak Valuations Remain

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 08:30:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners' latest Enterprise Software M&A report looks back at sector activity in 2019 and reveals that, in the second half of 2019, transaction volumes decreased slightly while trailing revenue and EBITDA multiples remained astoundingly high.

HRTech: Does AI Recruitment Threaten or Strengthen Workforce Diversity?

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 10:15:00 +0100

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are trained to replicate human decisions – but how do we make sure we don’t teach them our own bad recruitment habits?

Tech Trends 2020 in M&A: Looking Back to See the Way Forward

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 07:30:00 +0100

Anton Røthe, Vice President at Hampleton Partners, looks back over the trends that most impacted the M&A market in 2019, and takes stock of what these might say about 2020.

Embracing privacy concerns to realise the opportunities of Data as a Service (DaaS)

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0100

Information may be the main currency of 21st century business, but what’s important is what companies do with their data, not necessarily how much of it they have.

Hampleton Partners Advises FAST LTA on acquisition by Afinum

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 08:00:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners, the international M&A and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised FAST LTA AG, leading provider of zero-loss archiving and backup solutions for mission-critical data, on its acquisition by Afinum Management GmbH, a leading investor with a 20-year track record of successfully investing in Germany SMEs.

HR Tech: Record-Breaking Valuations and Deal Volumes Creating Lucrative Market for Sellers

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0100

Hampleton's latest analysis of global HRtech mergers & acquisitions activity shows that recent large deals and high valuations are indicative of overall momentum in the sector throughout 2019.

Time to Add Culture to the M&A Due Diligence List

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 14:23:00 +0100

In this article, Hampleton director Jonathan Simnett looks into the importance of cultural due diligence in establishing the value of a firm per se.

Cybersecurity and IoT: Protecting the free flow of data in a connected world

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 07:30:00 +0100

As we move towards a world of smart cities, smart roads and smart homes, data is being shared at an unprecedented rate. But as technology gets ever more intelligent, so do the fraudsters intent on profiting from this free flow of increasingly accessible information.

Race To Lock Down Cybersecurity Vendors Intensifies As More Technologies At Risk

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 07:30:00 +0100

Three trends were key in impacting the race to secure cybersecurity vendors: an exponential increase in the number of devices connected to enterprise IoT networks, providing potential entry points for cyberattackers; growing volumes of personal data that needs to be secured; and mounting regulatory and financial penalties for cyber insecurity. Read more in Hampleton's latest Cybersecurity report 2H2019.

The Power of Interplay between Insurers, Investors and the Insurtech Start-Up Ecosystem

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 07:53:00 +0100

Following the release of our Insurtech report 2H2019, Hampleton’s principal partner Miro Parizek reflects on the dynamic relationship between insurers, investors and the insurtech start-up ecosystem.

Building a Team that Builds M&A Value

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:24:00 +0100

In his latest article, Hampleton director asks: how do you ensure as best you can that you assemble the team that can develop and sustain the culture that’s going to build value?

Adapt or Die: How Tyre Manufacturers are Responding to Autotech

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 08:29:00 +0200

Businesses have always needed to adapt in order to stay relevant, but never has this necessity been in such sharp focus as it is today. Legacy tyre manufacturers are investing in an M&A push to future-proof their businesses in the coming age of the electric and autonomous vehicle.

Enterprise Software: 651 Deals and Sky-High Multiples Signal Acquirers' Sprint for Digital Transformation

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 07:30:00 +0200

In its latest analysis of global Mergers & Acquisitions activity in Enterprise Software, Hampleton Partners reports the highest deal count ever recorded, with 651 transactions inked over the first half of 2019.

IT and Business Services M&A Wars: PE vs. Consolidators vs. Pivoters

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 15:39:00 +0200

Following the release of our latest IT & Business Services M&A report, in our latest expert blogpost, Hampleton director and IT Services sector specialist Jonathan Simnett reflects on the battle between private equity buyers, consolidators and pivoters to acquire the IT services solutions of the future.

Autotech 2019: Shift in Buyer Pool as Tech Giants Join the Race to Own the Vehicle of the Future

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 07:38:00 +0200

The first half of 2019 has seen automotive technology deal-making news led by major tech giants challenging traditional OEMs for ‘ownership’ of the vehicles of the future, says Hampleton Partners’ latest report on Automotive Technology M&A.

Cyber-Defense, Software Updates & Outsourcing Spur $100 billion in IT Services M&A

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 07:30:00 +0200

The first half of 2019 saw total disclosed deal value in the IT & Business Services market reach a whoping $97 billion - the highest total on record for a six-month period. The overall median disclosed deal amount also increased to $43 million from $23 million in 2H 2018. And, although deal volume lessened, trailing 30-month median revenue and EBITDA multiples remained within the high end of their respective range, signalling steady growth over the past six and a half years.

Insurtech: Record-breaking $3 billion Investment in 1H2019 Transforming Business Models and Opening New Markets

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 07:30:00 +0200

So far in 2019, global fundraising for insurtech has reached almost $3 billion in 1H 2019 and is on track to reaching $6 billion by the end of the year. Insurtech fundraises increased 27 per cent, with 257 deals closed in 2018 vs 202 deals in 2017.

Healthtech Sees Highest Valuations In Over Five Years

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 07:02:00 +0200

The first half of 2019 recorded an increase in healthtech M&A activity, with a healthy 100 deals inked (11 per cent more than in 2H 2018) and around $8.3 billion in disclosed transaction value throughout the period, reveals Hampleton Partners in its latest global Healthtech M&A Market Report.

Fintech Mega-Deals Lead to Record-Breaking $120 Billion Transaction Value in 1H 2019

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 07:20:00 +0200

Three fintech mega-deals totalling $87 billion set the scene for a record-breaking $120 billion in disclosed transaction value for the sector in a ‘white-hot’ first half of 2019, reveals Hampleton Partners in its latest global Fintech M&A Market Report.

How Social Commerce is Influencing M&A in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 08:00:00 +0200

To mark the launch of our 2H 2019 M&A Market Reports on E-commerce and Digital Marketing, we look at how the innovation behind the rise of social commerce is upsetting the status quo in marketing.

Shift towards Platforms & Social Commerce Transforms Digital Commerce M&A

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 07:30:00 +0200

The growth of M&A activity in the ‘platform economy’ and in social commerce are two of the biggest trends identified in the latest E-Commerce and Digital Marketing M&A Market Reports from Hampleton Partners, the international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor.

Transaction volume for the digital marketing sector has remained remarkably stable since 2011. In the first half of 2019, marketing application software received more M&A attention, with 95 deals inked and disclosed deal value of $2.06bn, versus 67 deals and deal value of $1.4bn for digital agencies & marketing services providers.

Tech M&A Trends - Outlook 2021

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 09:30:00 +0200

Current trends in the busy tech M&A space point to a possible market correction before 2021 – are segments that are working to build a greener, healthier future best placed to weather the storm?

Can AI help build the smart cities of the future?

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 07:32:00 +0200

As part of our series on the future of AI, and to mark the publication of our latest Artificial Intelligence M&A Market Report 1H 2019, we look at the opportunities of, and the barriers to, building the smart cities of the future.

Will subject matter expertise accelerate the progress of voice-activated tech?

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:16:00 +0200

Despite huge leaps forward in conversational artificial intelligence (CAI), our demand for one-size-fits-all voice-activated technology has left no one under the illusion they are talking to anything other than a robot. If CAI is going to take its place at the top table of future tech, it needs to embrace its human side – and the race is on to develop the technology that does just that.

To mark the publication of our latest Artificial Intelligence M&A Market Report 1H 2019, we ask if narrowing the focus of CAI models is the answer.

AR/VR Transaction Volumes, Valuations and Fundraising Maturing

Wed, 29 May 2019 08:30:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners’ latest analysis of the Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) M&A global market reveals that this nascent sector is already showing signs of maturity, with later-stage funding, valuations and transaction volumes on the up and gaining momentum.

M&A transaction volumes increased from a total of only 11 in 2014 to a total of 26 in 2018. Meanwhile, later-stage funding for AR/VR is also on the rise, especially for Series B, C and onwards. In fact, total combined funding for all nineteen Series C+ rounds reached €2.2 billion in 2018 – more than ten times the €0.2 billion raised across the eight rounds completed in 2015.

Thinking of selling your tech business? Here are a few things you need to know

Fri, 24 May 2019 09:00:00 +0200

Earlier this week, Hampleton Partners director Jonathan Simnett presented a keynote address to the IT Europa Managed Services and Hosting Summit in Amsterdam. In this blogpost, he reflects on the questions and challenges of the M&A process which he touched upon during his presentation.

Is the future of AI in the cloud or on the edge?

Fri, 17 May 2019 08:47:00 +0200

From Alexa in your living room to the cobots autonomously scuttling around Amazon warehouses, AI has gone mainstream. But to really fulfil its role – including in the fourth industrial revolution – it needs to work smarter and learn quicker. The answer, say many, is taking AI to the edge.

Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough Leads to Unprecedented M&A Growth in 2018 and 2019

Wed, 15 May 2019 09:20:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners’ latest analysis of the Artificial Intelligence M&A market reveals that over 150 deals were disclosed in 2018, up from 105 deals in 2017. The first half of 2019 is also showing impressive AI-related M&A momentum, with 65 deals already recorded and a total of near 100 deals forecast for the half-year only. In terms of market value, AI is forecast to grow from $21.46 billion in 2018 to $190 billion by 2025 – in other words, to grow nine-fold over the next seven-year period.

Hampleton Partners advises augmented reality computer vision technology company Simi on acquisition by ZF Friedrichshafen

Mon, 13 May 2019 10:59:00 +0200

Next-generation computer vision and biomechanics technology company Simi Reality Motion Systems will support ZF Friedrichshafen in its development of new ADAS and autonomous vehicle systems

When commercial meets medical: Why tech giants are interested in medtech

Thu, 02 May 2019 10:37:00 +0200

Amazon, Apple, Samsung and Philips are among the big brand tech giants making a splash in the medical arena – so why is healthcare such an attractive investment opportunity? In this latest instalment of our Industry 4.0 in the DACH Region series, we look at what’s driving the boom in medtech, which accounted for 15 per cent of the sector’s M&A transactions in 2018.

How Cleantech Startups Can Navigate the ‘Valley of Death’

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:58:00 +0200

In the third in our series of articles on Industry 4.0 in the DACH region, we look at the Cleantech sector, its potential and some of the issues it faces. Industrial and technology giants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) are increasingly buying, funding or partnering with connected and intelligent manufacturing technologies and data management companies to ensure they are well-positioned for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, known as Industry 4.0.

Are Cobots - or Collaborative Robots - the Future of Work?

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 14:14:00 +0200

While visions of the android takeover still loom large in science fiction, in science fact collaborative robots, or cobots, are increasingly working peacefully side-by-side with their human colleagues. And with robotics and machinery accounting for 43 per cent of Industry 4.0 M&A transactions in the DACH region in 2018, it’s clear that this technology is shaping up to be the next frontier in manufacturing. In this, the third in our series on Industry 4.0 in the DACH region, we look at how cobots are taking their place in big business and SMBs alike.

Why Car Ownership Is NOT Under Threat - Yet

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:30:00 +0200

Media hype and the bullish attitude of Silicon Valley tech giants might have you believe that no one wants to own a car anymore. Admittedly, some statistics might support this view: for example, in 2018, new car sales in the UK were down 6.8% year-on-year, while in Germany the number of young people learning to drive has fallen by 28% over the last decade.

$185 Billion Raised Across 12,500 Transactions Behind Growth Capital Markets’ 2018 Bull Run, Reveals Hampleton Partners’ Report

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 09:54:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners’ analysis of growth capital reveals that 2018 marked another record year for global venture capital financing, with a total disclosed value of $185 bn (€165 billion) raised across more than 12,500 transactions. The international technology M&A and growth finance advisors reveal that total transaction volume grew five per cent per year from 2014 to 2018 across the globe, while total value raised grew by 13 per cent, suggesting that funding rounds are becoming larger.

How does Smart Building Technology Improve Operational, Energy and Cost Efficiency?

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0100

In the first article in our Industry 4.0 in DACH series, we focus on M&A in the smart buildings sector and look at the opportunities new technologies being used to connect, monitor and control what goes on in buildings bring to new and established businesses.

Industry 4.0 Shifts from Buzzword to Reality with 600 Deals

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 12:36:00 +0100

The latest M&A market report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, sheds light on how technology giants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) are transforming their businesses by buying, funding or partnering with connected and intelligent manufacturing technologies and data management companies to ensure they are well-positioned for the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Industry 4.0.

Hampleton’s Industry 4.0 M&A Market Report records more than 600 deals in 2018, up from 513 in 2017. The analysis reveals that the highest level of interest lies in AI technologies, digital threads and digital twin solutions.

Hampleton Partners Advises 2getthere in Sale of Majority Stake to ZF Friedrichshafen

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:33:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners has advised 2getthere Holding B.V., a leading manufacturer of driverless electric shuttles for future urban mobility, on its majority acquisition by ZF Friedrichshafen, the global automotive supplier and front-runner in developing the next generation of autonomous vehicle technology. This is the second autonomous vehicle technology transaction closed by Hampleton within the space of nine months.

Why B2C e-commerce brands focus on the post-purchase journey

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 12:00:00 +0100

In today’s e-commerce world, persuading a new customer to hit the ‘buy’ button is only half the battle. Once they win that initial sale, B2C e-commerce brands must work equally hard to retain their customer and prime them for the next purchase.

Land Grab For Technology and Talent Spurs Five-Year High For Enterprise Software

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:00:00 +0100

London, UK – 11 March 2019. The latest M&A market reports from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, on the Enterprise Software and IT & Business Services sectors show consistent growth in transaction volume, multiples and valuations, with Enterprise Software M&A disclosed deal value achieving a whopping $182.2 billion in 2018 – a five-year high.

How Tech is Solving the Problems of an Ageing Population

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 10:01:00 +0100

In the UK, 18.2% of the population is currently aged 65 years or over, compared to 15.9% in 2017 and a predicted 20.7% by 2027. This significant demographic shift is affecting developed and developing countries alike.

While this is in many ways something to celebrate, as people are living longer due to improved healthcare, it brings associated problems which are likely to worsen over time.

E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Companies Battle For The Digital Consumer In 'An Amazon World'

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 10:51:00 +0100

The latest E-Commerce and Digital Marketing M&A Market Reports from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, reveal that 2018 recorded a $20 billion increase in disclosed e-commerce M&A value compared to 2017, boosted by mega-deals such as Walmart’s ambitious $16 billion purchase of Flipkart and Adobe’s acquisition of Marketo for $4.75 billion.

Autotech 2018 - 100 M&A Deals and Record Venture Capital Investment

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:31:00 +0100

The latest Automotive Technology M&A Market Report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, reveals that disclosed Venture Capital funding to automotive start-ups totalled $8 billion in 2018.

In parallel, almost 100 M&A deals were inked, including Renault, Ford and Volkswagen’s autotech acquisitions in the second half of 2018; however, total disclosed M&A transaction value reached $3.9 billion in the time period, the lowest in over five years.

How Fintech Uses Computer Vision Technology

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 11:18:00 +0100

Computer Vision is the term given to machines that can see and all the associated science and technology that helps make that a reality. In business, it’s manifested mostly in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications. The fintech sector is using computer vision to boost growth, transforming financial services by using appealing visuals and helping accentuate the difference between fintech and the traditional finance industry.

Healthtech M&A and IPO Activity Resilient in the Face of Global Economic Slowdown

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:41:00 +0100

The latest Healthtech M&A Market Report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, revealed a final count of almost 100 deals in the healthtech sector in the second half of 2018.

Fintech 2018 - Investment Reaches Record Levels at $31bn Whilst M&A Experiences Second Half Cooling

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 15:43:00 +0100

The latest Fintech M&A Market Report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, Hampleton Partners, reveals that 2018 witnessed the highest level of investment in fintech start-ups on record, with a total disclosed transaction value of $30.8 billion.

How Big Data Drives Investment Decisions

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:29:00 +0100

Today, big data and machine learning are taking this skill to a higher level. Investment houses are now making decisions about where to put their money using AI-powered apps and terabytes of data. As more and more data is produced and the technology advances even further, could machine learning end up replacing the human investor?

What Do Smart Home Devices Do With Your Data?

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:24:00 +0100

Many consumers are concerned that smart speakers are the next highly intrusive step in the surveillance society – that tech giants are listening to us 24/7, recording and storing everything they hear. Are these worries legitimate?

La French Tech – How Station F Leads France’s Startup Ecosystem

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:21:00 +0100

Successful tech companies have emerged in France in the past, such as Deezer and Dailymotion. Now, founders in France want to recreate these successes on a larger scale, boosted by a government-backed body called La French Tech. The centre of this movement is Paris’ Station F, the world’s biggest startup incubator. With uncertainty surrounding Brexit, could the City of Lights overtake London as Europe’s start-up capital?

Why Blockchain in Pharma is Beneficial for Patients and Healthcare Businesses

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:42:00 +0100

When you think of blockchain, the first thing you think of is probably cryptocurrency where blockchain is the enabling technology. But, aside from financial services, blockchain has the potential to revolutionise many other industries due to its ability to securely record transactions around an incorruptible digital ledger.

Top Tech Trends in M&A for 2019

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 12:36:00 +0100

While we have experienced fluctuations in volume and value over the past 10 years, there has been an overarching upward trend in Tech M&A and there is every reason to be bullish as we move towards the next decade.

Why Automotive Cyber Security Must Improve For Driverless Cars

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 12:28:00 +0100

When we think of autonomous driverless cars, we usually give them a science-fiction sheen. We think of clean, state-of-the-art vehicles, whisking us smoothly from place to place, silently and without a hitch. The reality, unfortunately, couldn't be more different. While driverless cars should theoretically be safer than cars driven by people because they eliminate human error (and don’t use phones or change the radio whilst driving), driverless cars pose a different type of risk.

How Can Employers Guard Against Cyberattacks

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:24:00 +0100

As the head of an organisation, you have a responsibility to your customers and your staff to make sure you are as insulated as possible against cyberattacks. So what are the steps you can take to prepare your business and ensure that your employees play their part?

Regulating Cryptocurrency in the UK

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 12:15:00 +0100

In the UK, cryptocurrency, which is rapidly growing in popularity, is not heavily governed. With more than 1500 cryptocurrencies available and more being created every week, coupled with stories of people winning and losing fortunes by investing in them, some commentators believe the UK should start to devise regulations.

The Rise of HRtech: How AI is Revolutionising the Recruitment Industry

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:05:00 +0100

Recruitment, like every other sector, is going through a period of disruption, thanks to the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technology. So, what will happen to the millions of recruitment consultants and head-hunters around the world, who post advertisements, sort through applicants’ CVs to find the best candidates and then connect them to clients?

Does Insurtech Threaten the Established Insurance Industry?

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 18:16:00 +0100

Technology has been disrupting the financial and insurance industry since the Big Bang in 1986, when automation and electronic trading revolutionised the London Stock Exchange. Now it’s the turn of the insurance sector to face fundamental change as new companies, offering new ways of doing business, take on established incumbents.

Why Tech M&A is on the Rise

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:08:00 +0100

After a slower year in 2017, tech M&A is bouncing back. So far in 2018, we’ve seen major deals, such as AT&T acquiring Time Warner for a reported $85.4 billion and the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint in a $26 billion deal.

How Insurtech Startups are Empowering Consumers

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 18:01:00 +0200

Do you remember how insurance used to work in the 20th century? Customers would pick an insurance company when they bought a house or car and stay with them for years, whether they were happy with the service they received or not. Price rises, laborious claims systems, poor customer service, it didn’t matter. Finding information about other insurance companies was hard. Switching was harder. Since then, times have changed. Technology has democratised the insurance industry. Now the customer holds more of the cards. But how?

Fintech M&A Deals Come Of Age With $40 Billion Transaction Value In First Half Of 2018

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 17:49:00 +0200

The latest Fintech M&A Market Report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisors, Hampleton Partners, reveals that the fintech sector reported 141 transactions in the first half of 2018, with a total disclosed transaction value of nearly $40 billion ($39.3 bn), more than 26 percent up from the prior half year.

How will Self Driving Cars Disrupt the Insurance Industry?

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 17:39:00 +0200

Autonomous vehicles will change the way we travel, socialise and trade. And whilst it is obvious that the existing automotive giants, under threat from new entrants, will need to transform vehicle design, construction, marketing, fuelling and servicing, as well as their business models, to accommodate this new technology, major changes are also coming to the car insurance industry.

Why diversity is good for company growth and profitability

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 07:30:00 +0200

There is a business case for promoting diversity at senior management levels of all organisations. The numbers back it up and psychologists promote cogent explanations for it. The more diverse your top level of staff, the more productive and profitable your organisation will be.

Enterprise Technology Innovation Spurs Record-Breaking M&A Transaction Volumes and Valuations

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 17:29:00 +0200

In its latest analysis of global Mergers & Acquisitions activity in Enterprise Software, Hampleton Partners reports that the sector delivered its best half-year on record with 522 transactions in total. Deal volume was up 11 per cent year-over-year and up 15 percent from the previous half-year period. With above $1 billion valuations also rising fast – 14 during the first half of 2018, compared with just five in 2H2017 and three during 1H2017 – records for the enterprise technology sector are already breaking.

Hampleton Advises Vehicle Simulation Company VI-grade Sale to Spectris

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:23:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, the international mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, advised VI-grade GmbH, a leading provider of best-in-class turnkey solutions for system level simulation, on its acquisition by Spectris Plc., supplier of productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls. This is the third automotive tech transaction completed by Hampleton Partners in the last 12 months.

Big IT Players in the Race to Acquire Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assets

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 11:57:00 +0200

The world’s major IT players – Google, Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Facebook, Twitter and Salesforce – are racing to invest in, acquire and absorb cutting-edge artificial intelligence start-ups and scaleups, according to Hampleton Partners’ latest Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Market Report on Artificial Intelligence, published today.

Hampleton Partners Advises on the Sale of DOCUFY to Heidelberg

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:29:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, an international mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised DOCUFY GmbH, a German software manufacturer and a service provider for technical documentation, on its acquisition by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, a German precision mechanical engineering company.

Bumper Start for SaaS & Cloud M&A with 27 Percent Rise in Transaction Volumes

Thu, 17 May 2018 15:19:00 +0200

Enterprise Applications are the driving force behind a bumper start to dealmaking in 2018. Saas & Cloud transaction volumes rose 27 percent compared to 1Q2017, with a total of 269 deals, whilst four acquisitions reached the billion-dollar milestone in the first three-months of the year, twice as many as the same period last year.

Cyber Threats Drive Record $31 Billion M&A Deal Valuations In IT Services

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:01:00 +0200

The digital transformation of every business, from automotive through to healthcare, is driving record deal valuations in these sectors as companies incorporate disruptive technologies into their business models and shift to the cloud, all whilst having to secure themselves against cyber threats.

Hampleton Partners – Tech M&A Outlook 2020

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 15:22:00 +0100

In its latest report, Hampleton Partners outlines how traditional companies remain under pressure to quickly and effectively integrate new technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, IoT, big data and the cloud into their product and service offerings to avoid being rendered obsolete by new market entrants that are causing profound shifts in value chains and customer behaviours.

Traditional Car Companies Investing Billions in M&A to Play Catch-Up in Autotech

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 11:17:00 +0100

The latest Automotive M&A Market Report from international technology mergers and acquisitions advisors, Hampleton Partners, shows that established automotive companies, such as Ford and Continental, are investing billions to wrest back the initiative from their Silicon Valley rivals, Google, Apple and Tesla, in developing the auto industry of the future.

Hampleton Partners Advises AI Connected Car Company Bright Box Sale To Zurich Insurance Group

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 14:26:00 +0100

Hampleton Partners, the international mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised Bright Box HK Limited, the vendor of turn-key connected car platform Remoto, on its acquisition by the leading multi-line insurer, Zurich Insurance Group.

M&A Puts Autonomous Vehicles in the Driving Seat – 2017 Review

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 15:35:00 +0100

Big players like Intel and Delphi are vying for the winning combination of technology plus consumer trust to land the prime position on our roads. This article outlines how an intense period of M&A and venture capital investment backing is helping drive autonomous vehicle R&D and giving new entrants into the marketplace a competitive advantage when they buy the innovative tech companies that are shaping the future.

Hampleton Partners Advises the UK Founders of NMi Metrology & Gaming Ltd in the Sale to GLI Group

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:33:00 +0200

Hampleton Partners, an international mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory firm for technology companies, has advised the UK founders of Bangor, Wales-based NMi Metrology and Gaming Ltd in the sale to New Jersey-based GLI Group (GLI).

IoT M&A Is on the Rise, but Will It Last?

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 17:38:00 +0100

The latest market report from technology M&A advisory firm, Hampleton Partners, reveals soaring deal values in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector bolstered by strong interest from telecoms investors fighting to gain a foothold in the rapidly growing market.

Software vs. Services vs. PE – Valuing a SaaS Target

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:28:00 +0100

Selling a company using a SaaS delivery method? While SaaS multiples are still strong, we have researched three main categories of tech buyers who are willing to pay for a SaaS target; software, services, and private equity. Software companies including Oracle, SAP, Salesforce, etc. are the highest payers with median EV/S of 5x. Surprisingly private equity buyers offer the second highest of 3.2x and services including, Infosys, CSC, Ingram Micro, etc. close behind at a 2.8x median.

Crunch Time: The Battle for Cybersecurity M&A

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 16:56:00 +0100

2016 is promising to be another great year for cybersecurity M&A. 2015 delivered 112 deals with almost $10 billion in disclosed value, yet YTD2016 has already seen 93 deals completed with $10.6 billion in disclosed value.

Hampleton’s Latest Fintech Report Suggests M&A is Booming in 2016

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:07:00 +0100

Over the past 30 months (since Mar 2016) , fintech companies have achieved a median enterprise value to sales multiple of 3.2x and an EV/EBITDA of 15.0x. While these figures are certainly positive, this data includes transactions involving software, services, and integrators in both B2B and B2C markets.

Industry 4.0 hits Agriculture – Driving growth in Tech M&A

Thu, 28 May 2015 17:13:00 +0200

Agricultural technology software M&A is reaping yields, the number of transactions in the past two years is almost as many as the preceding decade. Technology innovations to make production more efficient and flexible, products more customised and customers more integrated into value chains are revolutionising the agricultural sector.

A Beginner’s Guide to a Leveraged Buyout

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:19:00 +0200

For a Private Equity (PE – i.e. financial investor) to optimise the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) on their equity investment, they use leverage when it is available. It took over three years after the great recession for banks and other institutions to make debt more readily available. And now, it is once again easier to organize debt financing for acquisitions. Currently, financial buyers are accounting for about one-quarter of mid-sized acquisitions and most are leveraged.