Cambridge Business Association
Cracking the Code of Digital M&A
Report

Cracking the Code of Digital M&A

Jeremy Boote, Ailanore Harper, Jesper Nielsen and Jens Kengelbach
Boston Consulting Group, 2019
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Applicable
  • Overview

Recommendation

Mergers and acquistions in pursuit of digital technologies have ramped up considerably, as established companies would rather purchase enterprises with built-in expertise than develop the knowledge internally. But to achieve their goals, as professionals at the Boston Consulting Group explain in this authoritative report, dealmakers need to go beyond looking for cost savings and revenue efficiencies to unlock less evident and often intangible sources of value. Investment bankers and digital entrepreneurs will find this expert analysis particularly relevant and insightful.

Summary

Deal volume in digital mergers and acquisitions – transactions in which firms buy businesses with the technological capabilities they need – totaled $658 billion in 2017, a 100% increase since 2012. The typical digital acquisition averaged $151 million, with most priced below $100 million. Nontech-sector firms would rather buy than build, because technologies can become outdated quickly and acquiring proficiency internally is difficult. Furthermore, the competition for top talent is intense.

Digital company valuations are high, and justifying them can be challenging. To succeed, dealmakers...

About the Authors

Jeremy Boote et al. are professionals with the Boston Consulting Group.

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