The Tech Ecosystems Powering M&A | Equiteq

As M&A confidence grows and capital becomes more accessible, attention is turning to where that capital is being deployed. According to the Equiteq Global Buyers Report 2025, buyers are increasingly prioritizing firms embedded in high-growth technology ecosystems, particularly those that offer AI capabilities, data insights, and digital scalability.

From predictive analytics to public cloud platforms, the M&A spotlight is firmly on solutions that support enterprise transformation.

So what does this mean for tech-enabled firms considering a transaction?

And which platforms are buyers backing right now?

AI Takes Center Stage

AI is no longer a side conversation, it is now a key driver of acquisition decisions.

According to our research:

• 76% of strategic buyers cite enhancing services and client experience as the top reason for acquiring AI capability.
• 71% say differentiation is their primary goal, not just cost savings or efficiency.
• The most in-demand technologies are predictive analytics (64%), natural language processing (44%), and machine learning (33%)

Key Takeaway: AI readiness is no longer optional

Firms that can demonstrate a clear and practical AI strategy, not just AI marketing, are more likely to attract meaningful buyer attention.

Ecosystems That Matter

Beyond AI, buyers focus on ecosystem-aligned service providers that play key roles in their digital strategies. The platforms seeing the strongest demand in M&A include:

Public Cloud

Azure (100%), AWS (91%), and Google Cloud (80%) remain the pillars of cloud transformation

Enterprise SaaS

Salesforce (76%), Microsoft (67%), and Oracle (56%) lead the way

Data Analytics

Platforms like Databricks (96%), Snowflake (91%), SAP HANA (51%), and Tableau (49%) are attracting strong buyer interest

IT Service Management

ServiceNow (96%) and Atlassian (64%) are key platforms where buyer interest is growing rapidly

Managed Services

Cybersecurity and Application Managed Services top the list, both at 89% buyer interest

Key Takeaway: Platform-aligned capability boosts buyer confidence

Service providers with deep expertise in high-demand ecosystems are viewed as lower-risk, higher-value targets.

Why This Matters for Sellers

This wave of ecosystem-focused M&A reflects a shift in what buyers want:

• Proven integration capability with market-leading tech stacks
• Recurring revenue models, particularly in managed services and SaaS
• A clear role in enabling AI adoption, cloud migration, or data-driven decision-making

Key Takeaway: Proximity to the right platform matters

For founders, now is the time to highlight technical partnerships, certifications, or specializations that link your business to the platforms buyers are betting on.

Looking Ahead

Buyers are more focused than ever on acquiring tech-enabled growth. They are seeking capability partners that connect with the modern enterprise stack. If your firm delivers value through a dominant platform, now is a strong moment to position for strategic engagement.

To learn more about where the M&A market is heading, download the full Equiteq Global Buyers Report 2025.

This blog is part of our ongoing series breaking down the insights from the Equiteq Global Buyers Report 2025. You can revisit Part 1: What’s Driving M&A Confidence Right Now for a deep dive into buyer sentiment, capital deployment, and sector demand.