From the vantage point of global C-level suites, 2024 promises to be an interesting time for mergers and acquisitions. Whereas many M&A efforts were originally aimed at taking competitors off the board, modern M&A is more about filling out a company’s offerings. Companies are increasingly looking at strategic acquisitions to enhance value, expand capabilities, and develop market positions. This trend is especially pertinent in a market where adjusted valuations are prompting businesses to reassess their growth strategies.

The focus of M&As in 2024 is not just on growth but on achieving synergistic outcomes. Companies are looking to acquire businesses where their product or customer base can add significant value. This strategic alignment can lead to more efficient operations, innovation in product offerings, and improved competitiveness in the market.

In fact, this year is poised to be a defining one for strategic rollups, as leading companies are gearing up to acquire well-positioned and fairly-priced businesses in their sectors. These roll-ups are happening for a few simple reasons.

First, 2023 was a rough year for raising capital. Bain Capital reported that the total M&A market dropped by 15% to $3.2 trillion.

“Deals were delayed for other reasons, including high interest rates, mixed macroeconomic signals, regulatory scrutiny, and geopolitical risks,” they wrote.  

But, in a Darwinian sense, the companies that survived were stronger for it. However, these growth-stage startups, be they in AI, EV, or any other burgeoning market, are still in a precarious position and their investors are looking for an exit.

Next, 2024 looks to be the year of tech consolidation. The big companies will want to have their own AI teams, and so they’ll look to buy, not build. After all, Machine Learning PhDs are expensive and they’re often found hiding inside startups when they’re not in academia.

All is not lost, writes Bain.

“History shows that downturns, market lulls, and times of disruption always produced newer, stronger competitors that used the mayhem to make market gains. The M&A downturn of 2023 will likely be no exception, but it is not too late to act.”

Unbottling Strategic M&As

The ongoing recalibration of company valuations is influencing many businesses to consider alternatives to traditional venture capital raising. In this context, M&As are emerging as a strategic tool for companies to join forces with more established entities. This approach offers several advantages, including access to new customer segments, enhanced product portfolios, and a more substantial market presence.

Further, all of the deals that didn’t get done last year are going to get done in a hurry this year. With unlocked capital, including venture debt, ‌growth-stage companies that were on the bench in 2023 will hit the field by at least Q2 2024.

The Role of Acquisition Financing

In this environment, there is a growing opportunity for tailored acquisition financing. As companies look to engage in M&As, they require robust financial strategies to facilitate these transactions. This is where specialized financial firms and venture capitalists can play a pivotal role, offering the necessary support to enable these strategic moves.

AI-powered tools like Liquidity’s own platform are poised to become vital to the M&A pipeline. AI-based asset management and investment analysis are going to be hugely important in the coming year as M&A deals ramp up. 

The Anticipated Surge in M&A Activities

Given these dynamics, 2024 is expected to be a year marked by an increase in M&A activities. Companies are recognizing the potential of strategic acquisitions to position themselves more favorably in a competitive market landscape.

2024 presents a landscape ripe with opportunities for strategic M&As. As companies navigate this terrain, the role of customized acquisition financing becomes increasingly crucial. For businesses, it's a time to evaluate potential synergistic partnerships, while for investors and financiers, it's an opportunity to facilitate transformative business combinations.

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