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The Next Frontier of Value Creation in M&A and Private Equity

Posted by EAA on Jun. 5, 2026  /  Subscribe 0

One area that Investment Banks, M&A advisors, and PE firms may increasingly need to think about during both pre-acquisition and post-acquisition phases is the technology value creation opportunity within portfolio companies.

Traditionally, due diligence has heavily focused on financials, operations, market position, and leadership evaluation. However, in many organizations, there are significant untapped opportunities hidden within the technology landscape itself.

For companies with an existing technology stack, there may be opportunities around:

All of these can directly contribute toward EBITDA improvement and operational scalability.

On the other hand, companies without mature technology capabilities may have opportunities to leverage AI, automation, data platforms, and digital operating models to drive both topline growth and bottom line optimization.

There is also an emerging opportunity for PE firms, Investment Banks, and M&A advisors to evaluate technology not just as a support function, but as a strategic lever for enterprise value creation.

In many cases, technology transformation, AI adoption, GCC operating models, and automation initiatives can create measurable impact across:

Additionally, this may also create entirely new revenue streams for Investment Banks and M&A advisory firms themselves. Traditionally, advisory engagements have largely centered around transactions and financial structuring. However, there is growing potential to extend into technology-led value creation advisory, AI transformation strategy, operational modernization, and post-acquisition technology optimization initiatives.

Recently, while discussing these possibilities with an M&A advisory firm, the conversation evolved into rethinking how technology and AI-driven transformation services could potentially open additional strategic advisory and recurring revenue opportunities beyond the core transaction lifecycle — an idea that was very well received.

As technology, AI, and operational transformation continue to reshape enterprise value creation, there may be a growing opportunity for Investment Banks, M&A advisors, PE firms, and operating partners to incorporate technology-led transformation thinking earlier into both diligence and portfolio value creation strategies.

Author:  Kirti Acharya | Chief Digital and Information Officer, Anlage Digital

Kirti Acharya is a digital transformation and growth leader with 25+ years of experience helping enterprises drive business value through AI, data, automation, and global capability center (GCC) strategies. He currently serves as Chief Digital & Information Officer at Anlage Digital, where he focuses on AI-native digital engineering, enterprise modernization, and operational transformation. Kirti is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and NACD,  and actively collaborates with enterprise and M&A, Investment Bankers and Private Equity leaders on technology-led value creation initiatives.

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