Channel News
Rick Whiting
IT industry mergers and acquisitions—including some with multibillion-dollar price tags—have continued in 2023 despite economic uncertainty, rising interest rates and tighter capital. Here’s a look at the biggest tech mergers and acquisitions that have been announced, completed or are still in the works in 2023 (so far).
Wheelin’ And Dealin’
Merger and acquisition activity has continued across the IT industry in the first seven months of 2023 despite the uncertain economy, although the pace of multibillion-dollar acquisition deals (so far) appears to have slowed somewhat.
Also this year, a greater number of acquisitions seem to be cases of IT companies being acquired by private equity firms, rather than IT companies buying each other.
The cybersecurity sector has seen the most M&A activity, including major vendors acquiring security tech startups (such as Cisco Systems’ acquisitions of Valtix and Lightspin) and cybersecurity companies buying other security companies (Zscaler’s acquisition of Canonic, SailPoint’s purchase of SecZetta and Rapid7’s acquisition of Minerva Labs) in a bid to expand their product portfolios.
Given the exploding interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning in general—and generative AI in particular—there have been cases of large IT companies acquiring AI startups as a way to quickly get into the AI game.
Even some solution providers bolstered their security offerings and market reach through acquisitions: GreenPages Technology Solutions (now Blue Mantis) bought Arcas and Optiv acquired ClearShark.
Even mergers and acquisitions that don’t happen can be big news in the IT industry. DXC Technology confirmed in late 2022 that it was in discussions with a potential buyer, possibly a private equity firm. But on March 7 DXC issued a statement saying it had ended those talks without a deal.
Here’s a look at the IT industry’s biggest acquisition, merger and spinoff deals in 2023 so far. Many of the acquisitions were done-deals in 2023. Some were announced prior to this year and concluded in 2023 while others were announced this year and are still working their way to consummation.
While dollar value is a factor in the following ranking, some mergers and acquisitions have a greater impact on the IT industry in general, and the channel in particular, and that figures into the list. In a number of cases, the value of the acquisition was not disclosed.
Rick Whiting
