Transformation, Efficiency, Opportunity: Transactional Technology in M&A

A need for efficiency and speed are driving M&A deal parties to find solutions that take time-consuming work out of the process, or leverage technology to handle volumes of data to more quickly arrive at better decisions, according to a new study from Mergermarket and SRS Acquiom. The study was fielded in December 2019 among 100 M&A attorneys, and senior level M&A dealmakers from private equity funds and strategic buyers, and highlights areas where technology investments are being made in addition to concerns for deal parties.

While a majority of the survey’s respondents view technology as a clear differentiator, findings highlight dealmakers prioritizing improved communications and added flexibility as benefits over cost savings or improved profitability.

Key findings include:

• Nearly three-quarters of law firms and close to two-thirds of financial buyers say that their organization is embracing technology in M&A transactions to differentiate themselves from other firms.
• Ninety-two percent of strategic buyers, 80% of financial buyers and 76% of law firms say that they now experience even greater difficulty in keeping data secure.
• Majorities of all three respondent groups plan to make in-house investments in at least one technology area.

About Mergermarket

Mergermarket is a business development and market intelligence tool designed specifically for the M&A sector and provides proprietary intelligence and analysis on corporate strategy across the world. With around 200 M&A journalists talking directly to senior executives, dealmakers and other key players in over 60 locations globally, Mergermarket reports on the whole deal life cycle, from mapping out companies’ early stage strategic intentions to tracking deals before they develop and providing real-time news on live events, thereby creating a large window of opportunity.