A conversation on new deal-making in tech

The tech M&A market remains exceptionally resilient, driven by a fundamental shift toward digital-first organizational structures. Companies now prioritize digital infrastructure for productivity and collaboration as heavily as traditional physical assets. Strategic acquisitions, such as Salesforce’s purchase of Slack, aim to accelerate this digital transformation by creating unified engagement layers across enterprise software. While deal-making flourishes, the regulatory landscape is tightening; increased antitrust scrutiny, particularly regarding consumer data privacy, creates a chilling effect on large-scale acquisitions and extends deal timelines. Meanwhile, the surge in Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) offers an alternative path to public markets, though it demands significant operational readiness for increased disclosure and activist scrutiny. Ultimately, the market is transitioning from pandemic-era volatility to a long-term focus on growth, IP competitiveness, and navigating a more complex regulatory environment.