COVID-19 Puts Artificial Intelligence M&A In the Spotlight on the Back of Record Deal Volumes in 2019

• AI-driven remote security and monitoring of social distancing and mask-wearing, plus fever detection technology, is in play
• AI technology adding value across all sectors with healthcare, automotive, finance, education and security benefiting most in current conditions
 

London, UK – 4 June 2020. The Artificial Intelligence M&A market report from Hampleton Partners, the international technology mergers and acquisitions advisor, reveals the year 2019 saw a total of 279 deals – more than the 261 AI deals recorded across 2017 and 2018 combined. The first quarter of 2020 recorded a promising 95 deals.

Heiko Garrelfs, Sector Principal, Hampleton Partners, said: “On the back of record AI deal volumes in 2019 the arrival of Covid-19 is putting artificial intelligence innovators and companies further in the spotlight for strategic buyers.

“New norms such as health checks and social distancing at work are driving AI adoption and adaptation. Companies are having to find new ways of automating processes and drive cost-efficiency as, in many sectors, their profits are coming under pressure.

“On the home front, if ‘stay at home’ and ‘shelter in place’ orders continue, we expect to see more language analysis, chatbot and personal assistant AI deals beyond the usual suspects of Apple, Amazon and Google.”

Hampleton’s Artificial Intelligence M&A report analyses transactions, trends and activity across the quantitative analysis, vision, and language analysis segments. It also features interviews with two of the sector’s pioneers: Albert Stepanyan, founder and CEO, Scylla.ai, the AI-based protective intelligence suite that enhances security operations; and Artem Rodichev, Head of AI, Replika, which has created an AI-friend experience chatbot, proving popular with those under 25 years of age.

AI used for the purpose of quantitative analysis represented 70 per cent of all AI deals between May 2019 and May 2020. It remains the technology of choice for acquirers seeking to capitalise on efficient ways of processing, automating and augmenting large amounts of data.

The segment also saw the largest AI deals, courtesy of both financial and strategic buyers. These included Thoma Bravo’s take-private of security and antimalware giant Sophos for $3.8 billion; Prudential Financial’s acquisition of Assurance IQ’s machine learning-enabled direct-to-consumer insurance search service for $2.4 billion; and Hewlett Packard’s acquisition of Cray’s high-performance computing tech for $1.4 billion.

Heiko Garrelfs continued: “AI is a key source of transformation and disruption. Segments such as Vision and Language Analysis are seeing high growth as tech giants are making their AI models available and democratising the sector, giving companies and startups the chance to develop top-class technical products and develop their niche.

“Ultimately, this all-round momentum for AI is set to continue, given the unwavering interest from strategic acquirers looking to capitalise on the added-value AI can bring to all processes.”

Jane Henry
Email: jane@marylebonemarketing.com
Mob: +44 789 666 8155
www.marylebonemarketing.com 

Note to editors
Hampleton Partners’ Artificial Intelligence M&A Market Report 1H 2020 is compiled using data and information from the 451 Research database (www.451research.com). Further sources include CB Insights; PwC; Scylla.ai; Replika; TechCrunch; Hit Consultant; and Bloomberg. For more information on this or anything else related to our research, please email the address provided below.

Download the full Hampleton Partners’ Artificial Intelligence M&A Market Report 1H2020:

https://www.hampletonpartners.com/reports/artificial-intelligence-report/.

Hampleton Partners is at the forefront of international mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory for companies with technology at their core. Hampleton’s experienced deal makers have built, bought and sold over 100 fast-growing tech businesses and provide hands-on expertise and unrivalled advice to tech entrepreneurs and companies which are looking to accelerate growth and maximise value.

With offices in London, Frankfurt, Stockholm and San Francisco, Hampleton offers a global perspective with sector expertise in: Artificial Intelligence, Autotech, Cybersecurity, Digital Commerce, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Healthtech, HR Tech, Insurtech and IT & Business Services. 

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