The key views from the M&A Innovation Breakfast in Amsterdam

AI and machine learning transforming the business of M&A advisory.

Deals in the Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT) sectors topped the EMEA charts in 2018 with total M&A deal value reaching €169.2bn. This was largely boosted by a number of megadeals in the first half of the year including 5 deals valued at more than €5bn. Attendees at the M&A Innovation Breakfast in Amsterdam heard that the TMT sector looks to remain most active in terms of deal activity across Europe including the Benelux region, despite a slow start to 2019 as increasing political and economic uncertainty begins to affect investment decisions.

But technology is no longer just a hot sector for M&A activity. A majority of deal practitioners believe the M&A process itself will be transformed by technological change according to Merrill’s M&A in the Digital Age report. Jerome Pottier, Head of Western Europe at Merrill DatasiteOne revealed that 46% of dealmakers surveyed think that AI and machine learning technologies will have the most transformative impact on the M&A process followed by data analytics technology (37%).

Martijn Schoonewille, Partner at Loyens & Loeff shared how their approach of developing in-house tools is allowing them to best adapt to the evolving needs of their teams. The firm is utilising machine learning and analytics technology as well as working with solutions providers to support M&A and due diligence processes. His comments highlighted the growing importance for advisors and dealmakers to adapt and embrace the potential that new technology offers to stay relevant and gain a competitive edge.

Find out about the upcoming M&A Innovation Breakfast events in Oslo, Helsinki and Copenhagen.