The European software M&A market got off to a tremendous start this year – with 277 transactions in the first half of 2019, activity was 35% higher year on year. Following on from last year’s positive volume and valuations development, M&A transaction activity reached its highest level in over 10 years. We are pleased to present you our first H1 2019 Snapshot of the European Software M&A Market.
Private equity investors in particular are increasingly on the hunt for attractive investment opportunities within the software sector – an observation reflected both in the transaction number increase, and in higher deal volumes by PE players. Central valuation drivers are Cloud and SaaS business models that put growth above profitability. While large horizontal players have been consolidating the market, more and more high-growth specialists are emerging in niche sectors. Another trend we observed are strategic buyers hitherto unrelated to the software markets acquiring software assets in an effort to make their products smart and connected.
With 70 employees across our offices in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, London, Stockholm and Copenhagen, we offer integrated cross-border M&A advice for medium-sized transactions. Within the last 18 months, we have completed 43 transactions, 8 of them in the software segment. This makes us one of the most active M&A advisors in the market.
If you are planning a transaction or are interested in an exchange regarding the software market, we are looking forward to a dialogue with you. Simply get in touch with us.
