Key market insights into Software, Digital Services, Fintech, Digital Media and Marketplaces.

SOFTWARE
Jonathan Cantwell, Partner at GP Bullhound, said: “As the world continues to move online, we saw numerous trends emerge, continue and even escalate in Q2. Identification technology is growing as businesses look to reduce fraud, and companies are utilising sales-assisting SaaS to increase deal-making success. Outsourced big data handling is in high demand as companies aim for faster data-driven decisions, and logistics and retail businesses are focusing on applying machine learning solutions to optimise inventory management and merchandising. We are bullish the Cloud will continue to grow rapidly over the next several years in all areas of enterprise and B2B.”

Download GP Bullhound’s Q2 2021 Global Software Market Perspectives here.

DIGITAL SERVICES
Simon Nicholls and Greg Smith, Partners at GP Bullhound, commented: “We continue to see YoY increases in deal activity across Digital Services including large transformative transactions showcasing post-pandemic demand for digital engineering specialists. We have also seen increased activity for cybersecurity capabilities, with consolidators acquiring MSSPs to meet market demand and rapidly acquire talent. Finally, the large connected TV opportunity is unlocking new opportunities for advertisers to deliver targeted and highly engaging campaigns.”

Download GP Bullhound’s Q2 2021 Global Digital Services Market Perspectives here.

FINTECH
Claudio Alvarez, Partner at GP Bullhound, said: “This quarter we highlight the dark art of digital onboarding and potential sector consolidation as leading point solutions scale and raise significant funding to expand their product offering via M&A. With European Fintech catching the attention of leading global growth funds, Q2 marked another high for M&A and fundraising activity, seeing over double the number of mega-rounds in a single quarter versus 2020.”

Download GP Bullhound’s Q2 2021 Global Fintech Market Perspectives here.

DIGITAL MEDIA
Alec Dafferner, Partner at GP Bullhound, commented: “The digital media sector continued to evolve in Q2. We saw a number of high-profile marquee entertainment companies take on new ownership to help adapt and position themselves in a constantly changing digital media landscape. Sports content is seeing increased demand, partly driven by the proliferation of sports betting in the US. Activity in the digital music sector remains high with technology blurring the lines within the music value chain.”

Download GP Bullhound’s Q2 2021 Global Digital Media Market Perspectives here.

MARKETPLACES
Alessandro Casartelli, Executive Director at GP Bullhound, said: “In our Q2 report, we explore the rise of the pre-owned electronics market and look at how SME retailers are moving online despite previous reluctance. With all elements there for an active M&A market, Q2 saw strong consolidation in the sector, driven by fund interest in digital category leaders and offline players.”

Download GP Bullhound’s Q2 2021 Global Marketplaces Market Perspectives here.

ASIAN TECH INVESTMENTS
Elsa Hu, Executive Director at GP Bullhound, commented: “Elsa Hu, Executive Director at GP Bullhound, commented: “Asian tech investment activities into Europe and the US have recovered from the pandemic low, with $12bn raised from Asian investors in Q2 alone. Chinese investors are back in action, with overall deal volume up by 50% QoQ, driven by US and APAC targets. Southeast Asia surpassed India and China as the top destination for European and US tech investments in Asia.  The blockchain frenzy continues, but with uncertainties in regulation and volatility in the crypto market, we expect investors to become more cautious.”

Download GP Bullhound’s Q2 2021 Asia Insights here.

Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact:
SOFTWARE: Jonathan Cantwell, Partner, JONATHAN.CANTWELL@GPBULLHOUND.COM
DIGITAL SERVICES: Simon Nicholls, Partner, SIMON.NICHOLLS@GPBULLHOUND.COM
DIGITAL SERVICES: Greg Smith, Partner, GREG.SMITH@GPBULLHOUND.COM
FINTECH: Claudio Alvarez, Partner, CLAUDIO.ALVAREZ@GPBULLHOUND.COM
DIGITAL MEDIA: Alec Dafferner, Partner, ALEC.DAFFERNER@GPBULLHOUND.COM
MARKETPLACES: Ed Prior, Vice President, ED.PRIOR@GPBULLHOUND.COM
ASIA: Elsa Hu, Executive Director, ELSA.HU@GPBULLHOUND.COM

About GP Bullhound
GP Bullhound is a leading technology advisory and investment firm, providing transaction advice and capital to the world’s entrepreneurs and founders. Founded in 1999 in London and Menlo Park, the firm today has 10 offices spanning Europe, the US and Asia. For more information, please visit www.gpbullhound.com.