As of September 1, 2021, we are pleased to be part of D.A. Davidson & Co. We will continue serving our clients as part of their full-service Investment Banking Group. Click here to learn more about our combined strengths.
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What to do when Opportunity knocks? Our Latest M&A update for Fintech, Data and Analytics

Jun 21, 2021

What to do when Opportunity knocks? Our Latest M&A update for Fintech, Data and Analytics

Fintech, Market Update, Newsletter 0 Comments

Dear Clients and Friends:

Our latest report on the M&A values among the 11 sectors of the FinTech, Data and Analytics world that we follow is HERE. And as we have been saying, it looks very good.

We advise others that, when opportunity knocks, they should listen carefully. We took that advice. On Monday, we agreed to combine with the technology investment banking group of D.A. Davidson & Co to create the 5th largest (and fastest-growing) middle-market investment banking group in the US (we expect the deal to close in a few months – following FINRA review). We are excited. Our whole team has signed on (me too).

We know that these are never easy decisions. Opportunities like this can be life-changing. They should be thoroughly vetted – and not rushed. That’s what we help clients do – develop opportunities, thoroughly vet them, and pick the right partner, not just any partner.  It took us a long time to confirm a common view of roles, goals, and cultural fit. Negotiations are about more than money. Due diligence reviews should be thorough – for both sides. That way, as with us, both sides can feel confident that the combination will work. We are.

We advise clients on the best ways to buy, sell or raise capital for fintech, data and analytics companies.  It is a consultative process that takes time and needs to be done right. D. A. Davidson shares that view and the opportunity to combine with Davidson’s fast-growing tech banking practice exhilarates us. Together, we’ll be 40 tech banking professionals. Add a dozen in their research group, plus a strategic partnership in Europe and we get a team we will be pleased to be part of.

This is a great time to be in this industry. As you will see in our latest REPORT, the m&a market in fintech, data and analytics is strong; buyers and sellers are active; opportunities abound. When opportunity knocks on your door, we will be here to help. A few of the more interesting recent transactions include:

  • Francisco Partners acquired Boomi for $4bn (Information Services)
  • Realtime Electronics Payments acquired BillingTree for $503mm (Payments Tech)
  • SnapDocs raised $150mm in a deal led by Tiger Global Management (Real Estate Tech)
  • Bill.com acquired Divvy for $2.5bn (Digital Tech)
  • Collective Health raised $280mm in a deal led by Health Care Service Corporation (InsurTech)
  • Shift Technology raised $220mm in a deal led by Advent International (InsurTech)

See more in our REPORT. We live in interesting times.

Stay safe,

Ken

Ken Marlin

Ken Marlin

Ken Marlin is Managing Partner and Founder of Marlin & Associates and the author of "The Marine Corps Way to Win on Wall Street: 11 Key Principles from Battlefield to Boardroom" (St. Martin's Press 2016).

Over the course of more than 30 years Ken has advised scores of U.S. and international middle-market technology enabled firms on the best ways to buy, sell, grow and thrive. Along the way, he's been an entrepreneur (three times), a tech company CEO (twice), a senior corporate executive (twice) and an investment banker.

Seventeen years ago, Ken embarked on a journey to create a different sort of investment bank - one that would meld the investment banking skills he learned over 20 years on Wall Street with lessons he learned as a tech entrepreneur and the principles he learned during the decade he spent on active duty as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer. Today, Marlin & Associates is one of the most active M&A advisers in the information technology arena.

Institutional Investor Magazine has five times named Ken as one of II’s “Tech 50” and the II “FinTech 35” - both of which honor the most influential figures in the financial technology data and analytics sector.

Outside the office, Ken is a trustee of the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, which serves underprivileged kids throughout the five counties of New York City; and an active supporter of the Phoenix House Foundation, The Wall Street Warriors Foundation, The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, University of the People, the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, and Outward Bound Peacekeeping.

Ken’s book has garnered strong reviews and is consistently ranked among the top in governance, finance and leadership. One reviewer called it a compelling vision to improve Wall Street by returning to solid core values like taking the long view, behaving with honor, delivering excellence and working for a cause greater than money.

Ken earned a BA from the University of California (Irvine), an MBA from UCLA, and a post-MBA Advanced Professional Certificate in Corporate Strategy from New York University. He lives in New York City with his wife, daughter, a dog, a cat and turtle.

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