Guide

Everything you need to understand how tech M&A actually works — from the mechanics of a deal to the terminology, the money, and the trends shaping who buys whom. Unlike our weekly coverage, these guides don't expire we keep them updated as the industry evolves.

Fundamentals

Start here if you're new to tech M&A or need a refresher on how deals actually get made.
How Tech Acquisitions Work: A Complete Guide: The full acquisition process, step by step — from first contact to closing, and what happens to employees and founders along the way.
The Complete Glossary of Tech M&A Terms: Every term you'll run into reading about tech deals, from "acquihire" to "vesting acceleration," explained in plain English.

Deal Mechanics

For founders, operators, and anyone trying to understand what actually drives a deal's terms.
How Tech Company Valuations Work: A Founder's Guide. Why there's no single formula for valuation, how revenue multiples and strategic premiums interact, and what founders consistently get wrong.
Acquihire vs. Full Acquisition: What's the Difference? How to tell which kind of deal you're actually looking at, and what it means for founders, employees, and customers.
Due diligence checklist: The financial, legal, technical, and organizational review that makes or breaks a deal — and how founders can prepare for it.

Trends & History

For the bigger picture — where the biggest deals have come from, and where the money is moving now.
The History of Big Tech's Biggest Acquisitions: From HP-Compaq to SpaceX-Cursor: how the record for the largest tech deal has kept resetting, and what each era reveals about what buyers' value most. Updated annually.
AI Acquisition Trends: What Drives Big Tech to Buy AI Startups: Why traditional acquisitions are giving way to mega-acquihires and large minority stakes, and what that shift means for the next wave of AI deals.

Looking for real-time deal data instead?

These guides explain the "how" and "why." For the "who" and "when," check our live resources:
Missing a term or topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know.


Guide Guide Reviewed by Erwin Castro on Friday, July 10, 2026 Rating: 5
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