Sponsor focus on AI, defence set to drive European tech buyouts in 2026 – Dealspeak EMEA

White & Case partner and co-head of the Firm's Global Technology Industry Group, Daniel Turgel, was quoted in Mergermarket, discussing the tech trends set to define European tech buyouts this year with AI, cybersecurity and defence likely to drive a private equity buyout rebound across European technology names. This comes after tech sponsor buyout volume in 2025 fell to EUR 40.2bn across Europe, which was down 33% year-on-year (YoY). The article notes that although PE buyout activity in the sector slipped, tech M&A volumes overall remained robust.

Daniel said that shareholders are showing willingness to sacrifice short-term gains to roll-over and defer their upside until later in the journey, and that "we will see founders become more flexible in terms of valuation this year." He also observed that PE hasn’t yet fully capitalized on the opportunity that the European tech scene provides and that mid-market opportunities remain compelling.

Read the full article here (paywalled).

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