{"id":69572,"date":"2026-04-30T11:28:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T09:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techma.bakertilly.es\/?p=69572"},"modified":"2026-05-11T17:14:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T15:14:31","slug":"strategic-guide-to-ai-and-valuation-multiples-in-tech-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techma.bakertilly.es\/en\/guia-estrategica-ia-y-multiplos-de-valoracion-en-tech-ma-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Guide: AI and Valuation Multiples in Tech M&A in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

An analysis by Diego Guti\u00e9rrez Zarza<\/a>Partner at Baker Tilly Tech M&A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you understand the current market for buying and selling technology companies, we have summarised the key points of our latest research in this easy-to-use guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>How are valuation multiples for AI companies evolving?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Until now, software has been valued using ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) multiples. However, according to the analysis by our tech M&A expert Diego Guti\u00e9rrez Zarza<\/strong>, we are seeing a paradigm shift towards \u2018Value through execution\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies that demonstrate that their AI is not merely a support function, but an agent capable of completing workflows, are commanding premium valuations. By 2025, the M&A market had reached $4.7 billion<\/strong>, specifically rewarding those companies that control both data and processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What factors determine the success of a technology company\u2019s sale today?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Baker Tilly\u2019s proprietary framework for its Tech M&A division<\/strong>, exit valueexit value<\/em>depends on three strategic assets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Data sovereignty:<\/strong> Does the company have exclusive access to the client\u2019s data?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Integration into the workflow:<\/strong> Is the product essential for day-to-day operations?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Agentic capacity:<\/strong> Can the software move from \u2018suggesting\u2019 to \u2018executing\u2019?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/span>Which tech sectors are driving the growth in valuation?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Our research highlights four key sectors<\/strong> :<\/p>\n\n\n\n