We recently conducted an in-depth analysis of the data and AI consulting market, shaped by direct conversations with strategic buyers across the sector. Our goal was to understand what buyers are actively looking to acquire, including capabilities, vertical focus, geographies, size of deal, and the software platforms they are building solutions around, often based on what their clients are demanding.

We also conducted a series of interviews with market experts that helped us to ascertain where value is being created, and how firms in this space can best position themselves in this large and growing market.

Key findings:

• Strategic acquirers are prioritizing businesses with clear market leadership, scalable and in-demand services, and recurring revenue models.
• Strategic acquires are particularly drawn to firms that demonstrate vertical specialization (particularly in data-critical industries), premium partnership status with key software vendors, and advanced technology or workflow tools that enable efficiency and differentiation at scale.
• Firms that provide integrated end-to-end capabilities are viewed as particularly well-positioned to support the long-term digital transformation agendas of clients.

A full set of slides containing all findings from our research can be downloaded below. Whether or not a transaction is on the horizon, understanding these dynamics is critical for any firm looking to stay ahead of the curve.

For further questions or to discuss the findings in more detail, please contact Jonathan Davis or Daniel Hart.