ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Summer 2024
Index
Macroeconomic Overview
03
Industry Overview
07
Market Breakdown
11
Financing
15
M&A Activity
19
Industry Milestones
24
Looking Ahead
26
Case Studies
27
Behind this Report
30
About FE International
31
2
Macroeconomic Overview
The global economy is expected to settle into a pattern of "steady" growth. Despite recent challenges such as high interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, the 3.2% growth rate for 2024 and 2025 indicates resilience as we settle into a new normal after the pandemic. The economic pick-up is not uniform. Developed economies will likely see a slight acceleration from 1.7% growth in 2024 to 1.8% in 2025, while emerging markets and developing economies' growth rates are anticipated to remain stable. There's a sense of optimism emerging among business leaders. In the US, CEO confidence has risen for two quarters in a row, with recession fears fading significantly. European CEOs and China-based CEOs of US and European companies are also slightly more optimistic, with a more positive outlook on the short-term economic situation. However, cautious optimism in encouraged – market projections could shift notably depending on the outcome of the upcoming US presidential elections. Global Economy Settles Into Cautious Growth Pattern
Real GDP Growth (% YoY)
Forecast
4.2%
3.6% 2.3% 4.7%
3.2% 1.8% 4.2%
3.2%
1.7%
2018 2019 2020 2021
2022 2023 2024E 2025F
World
Advanced economies
Emerging market and developing economies
The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence
58
56
54
54
46
42
Q4 2023
Q2 2024
H2 2023
H1 2024
H2 2023
H1 2024
United States
Europe
China
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, July 2024. The Conference Board. Note: Measure of CEO Confidence is a barometer of the health of the US economy from the perspective of US chief executives.
4
To combat inflation, central banks raised interest rates to levels considered restrictive to economic growth. However, with global inflation rates falling and projected to reach 4.4% by 2025, the IMF suggests these interest rates are nearing their peak. This normalization in interest rates and inflation eases the financial burden on businesses and consumers, potentially spurring an uptick in consumer activity and further investments from businesses. Leading economists are forecasting that advanced economies will achieve their inflation targets sooner than emerging markets. This recovery could be due to a combination of factors, such as stronger economic fundamentals and more robust policy responses. In recent months, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and European Central Bank (ECB) lowered their interest rates. This is a positive sign for further cuts, with other markets following the impact of these rates closely. Inflation & Interest Rates Stabilizing
CPI Inflation Rate (%)
Forecast
8.2%
4.4% 6.0%
3.6% 2.0% 5.0%
5.9%
2.1%
2.7%
2018 2019 2020 2021
2022 2023 2024E 2025F
World
Advanced economies
Emerging market and developing economies
Interest Rate (%)
5.4% 4.3% 5.3%
Recent rate cuts by SNB & ECB
0.1% 1.3%
Jan-20 Nov-20
Oct-21
Aug-22
Jul-23
Jun-24
US (Fed)
Euro Area (ECB)
United Kingdom (BoE)
Japan (Bank of Japan)
Switzerland (SNB policy rate)
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, July 2024, Interest rates as per central bank data of respective regions. Note: ECB = European Central Bank, SNB = Swiss National Bank.
5
Venture Capital & Private Equity Investment Outlook
VC Dry Powder ($B) by Vintage
PE Dry Powder ($B) by Vintage
$0 B $100 B $200 B $300 B $400 B $500 B $600 B $700 B $800 B 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
$0 B $200 B $400 B $600 B $800 B $1,000 B $1,200 B $1,400 B $1,600 B $1,800 B
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Dry powder for VC and PE has reached record levels, exceeding $700 billion for VCs and $1.5 trillion for PEs. This abundance of available capital is particularly appealing for AI companies, offering the potential for substantial investment. Additionally, AI-focused VCs are on the rise, with several significant fundraising rounds targeting various segments. However, converting this dry powder into actual investments may rely on the resurgence of strong exit opportunities for VCs through IPOs or M&A activity. Overall, the current environment presents a potential advantage for VCs to invest in promising ecommerce at potentially lower valuations.
Source: Pitchbook as of March 2024.
6
AI Industry Overview
The State of Artificial Intelligence
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry continues to benefit from robust expansion and disruptive advancements:
The global AI market size was estimated at $197 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 36.6% to reach $1,745 billion in 2030 . AI is seeing massive capital inflows from a large pool of investors ranging from strategic, financial and sovereign buyers, with check sizes ranging from small $10-50 million VC rounds to $10+ billion investments from large cap investors like Microsoft and Silver Lake Partners. AI public valuations are at all-time highs. On June 11, 2024, Nvidia’s market cap surpassed $3 trillion, joining Apple and Microsoft in the $3 trillion market cap club. Nvidia shares have increased by over 154% in 2024, driven by its dominant position in GPU- accelerated computing. Similarly, on June 12, Apple shares climbed more than 7%, reaching a market cap of $3.29 trillion, after it announced its plans to incorporate AI technology across native apps and its latest devices, ranging from writing-assistance technology to AI-generated emojis. Regulations continue to tighten around data privacy worldwide. We expect similar scrutiny of AI from regulatory bodies in the coming years as advancements upend business practices across industries. Notably, we will see AI companies continue to adapt and mold their business models to create a seamless partnership between machines and the global population.
Growing Market
AI-Driven Public Markets Boom
Increased Regulations
Source: CNBC, Reuters, Bloomberg,
8
The global artificial intelligence market size was estimated at $197 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 36.6% to reach $1,745 billion in 2030 , fueled by investments from various tech large cap corporations as well as financial and sovereign investments. Robust AI Market Growth
(In billions of USD) AI Industry Market Size
1,745
Growing Market
• Machine and Deep Learning: The increased use of deep learning and machine learning technologies has optimized data analytics, allowing computers to more accurately identify trends and make predictions. • Generative-AI: Generative AI has improved the quality of images, video, and text, disrupting the content creation process for the marketing industry. We expect generative AI to expand into other industries, such as healthcare, financial services and retail, to continue driving market growth. • Increased Productivity: AI will continue to serve as a tool that increases productivity in schools, universities, and the workforce. For example, AI writing assistants allow humans to synthesize data and organize information. This ongoing collaboration between machines and humans will continue to enhance productivity globally.
1,277
935
685
501
367
269
197
2023 2024E 2025F 2026F 2027F 2028F 2029F 2030F
9
Issues that Matter
Hardware Constraints The growing demand for GPUs and AI-specific hardware is leading to increased costs and supply chain challenges. Efficiency and cost- effectiveness will help businesses maintain competitive advantage and manage capital expenditures effectively. Rise of the Chatbot Customer assistance 24/7, powered by AI. Businesses are increasingly adopting AI chatbot technology to make the digital shopping experience more user friendly. Chatbots can answer FAQs, suggest items, and other customer- facing tasks — making the experience seamless for customers and simplifying operations for employees as well.
Growing Regulation New regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act and the US AI Bill of Rights are setting stricter guidelines for data privacy and ethical AI development. These regulations impact investment strategies and operational protocols, making compliance and consumer trust paramount. AI & Sustainability AI can enhance efficiency and reduce emissions, but the energy consumption required for AI development poses environmental challenges. Financial leaders must balance these factors when investing in AI technologies to align with sustainability goals and regulatory expectations.
Growing Cybercrime AI catalyzes creation and disruption alike — unfortunately, that means a new wave of cybercrime. Threats will take new faces and emerge faster than ever. Enterprises can expect increased cybersecurity regulations and will need to prioritize holistic practices that both protect digital touchpoints and reduce human error. Battling Giants Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter and Amazon are fiercely competing to dominate the market. This battle involves massive investments in AI research and development, acquisitions of AI startups, and aggressive recruitment of top AI talent. These companies are also developing proprietary AI platforms and services to capture market shares. The competition drives rapid innovation but also leads to increased costs and strategic risks for other players in the AI industry.
Source: Cybercrime Magazine
10
AI Market Breakdown
Artificial Intelligence Market Overview AI is seeing massive capital inflows from a large pool of investors. Strategic, financial, and sovereign buyers alike show interest in AI — with check sizes ranging from small $10-50 million VC rounds to $10+ billion investments from large cap investors like Microsoft and Silver Lake Partners. In Q1 2024, AI startups raised $12.2 billion in capital through 1,166 transactions. This is a 9% rise in transaction volume and a 4% rise in dollar volume from Q4 2023 when $11.7 billion was raised through 1,072 transactions. This increase was mostly fueled by $5.3 billion in foundation model megadeals, led by Anthropic, xAI, and MiniMax. This shows both strong investor sentiment for the sector as well as exponential opportunities for growth as enterprises build onestablished AI/ML models.
AI Venture Capital Rounds by Number of Transactions
(# of Transactions)
1,269
1,219
1,166
1,160
+9%
1,129
1,072
Q4 '2022 Q1 '2023 Q2 '2023 Q3 '2023 Q4 '2023 Q1' 2024
(In Billions of USD) AI Venture Capital Rounds by Dollar Volume
16.3
+4%
12.8
12.2
11.7
11.1
7.9
Q4 '2022 Q1 '2023 Q2 '2023 Q3 '2023 Q4 '2023 Q1' 2024
Source: Crunchbase
12
Q1 2024 saw a 25% drop from Q1 2023, largely due to smaller transaction sizes in 2024. This represents a strategic shift towards more focused and efficient investments. Smaller rounds enable investors to diversify their portfolios, supporting a wider range of AI projects and spreading risk. This trend is reflected by key deals from the last year. In January 2023, OpenAI secured a $10 billion round from Microsoft, marking one of the largest venture capital rounds in AI history. China-based Moonshot AI was the only company to raise $1 billion or more in Q1 2024, in a round led by Alibaba and HongShan Group. Figure secured $675 million in a round led by Explore Investments and Nvidia, making it the second-largest round of the quarter. These deals highlight the ongoing commitment to AI advancements and large-scale funding in key markets — especially among the largest competitors — despite smallertransaction sizes. Strategic Refinement: Optimizing AI VC Rounds from 2023
Date Announced
Amount (Million)
Company
Lead Investors
Mar-2024
$600
Feb-2024
$675
Feb-2024
$1,000
Jan-2023
$10,000
Source: CapIQ, Pitchbook, Trade.gov
13
Investment by Segmentation
Investor Type
Major investors
Commentary
AI investor interest soars as the industry lessens its focus on crypto and fintech. The US became the largest funding source for AI startups, with Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, and Tiger Global leading major investment rounds. Tech giants are flexing dedicated venture arms, like Google Ventures and Intel Capital, to significantly invest in AI startups. Aligning niche players and their systems within broader corporate strategies helps secure both emerging technologies and competitive market footholds efficiently. The public sector is ready to leave behind lagging legacy systems. Digital technology platforms are helping government agencies retire inefficient infrastructure, thereby achieving greater economies of scale. Notably, the Department of Defense made substantial AI-related investments in 2022-2023.
Financial / VC
CVC / Strategic
Governments / Sovereigns
Source: Pitchbook Q1 2024 Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Report.
14
AI Financing
Global AI Financing
Artificial Intelligence Financing by Year (In Billions of USD)
Total Deal Size in ($B) # of Deals
2020 laid the groundwork for AI with $40 billion in funding. While uncertainties of the pandemic initially slowed investments, financing deals saw a substantial rise in 2021 as novel foundation models set new industry precedents. There were 3,000 AI-related funding rounds in 2021, compared to around 2,100 in 2020. Plus, 2021 saw a surge in mega-rounds, or rounds exceeding $100 million, and even marked the emergence of new AI unicorns — with several startups reaching valuations over $1 billion. Significant rounds raised by notable AI startups, such as Databricks and UiPath, contributed to the overall rise in AI financing. Overall, the trends from 2021 reveal a strong financial foundation for growing AI technologies, which still holds in 2024. 2024 continues this trend of rising AI financing deals. Investors have sustained confidence inthe transformative potential of AI technologies. Likewise, public- private partnerships and increased government funding for AI research and development will play a significant role in supporting the growth of AI startups and projects. As generative AI is further refined and integrated across industries, we expect enhanced global AI investment initiatives for years to come.
Annualized
64.4
1,166
638
46.9
91.9
58.9
43.4
35.3
2020
2021
2022
2023
YTD 2024
Financing Volume by Quarter (In Billions of USD)
Total Deal Size in ($B) # of Deals
786 783 773 757
702
640 624
590
494 498 523
510
499
466
422
418
317 316
7.4 10.6 10.7 16.7 19.5 25.0 22.3 24.2 19.1 19.1 9.9 10.6 13.1 10.5 8.5 11.0 9.8 25.3
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Source: PitchBook, Fortune Business Insights, Grand View Research, Trade.gov
Source: Pitchbook as of June 2024. Data consists of transactions where deal value was disclosed.
16
Distribution of Financing Rounds by Volume
$0 - $5M $5 - $10M $10 - $25M $25 - $100M $100 - $250M $250M+
1%
3%
1%
3%
4%
4%
13%
14%
18%
36%
43%
44%
2022
2023
Q1 2024
18%
18%
21%
21%
18%
20%
• AI financing deals shift toward the $10-$100 million range compared to the predominance of smaller deals in 2022 and 2023. The trend in 2024 underscores a strategic move by investors to support more robust and sustainable AI developments, reflecting a maturing market that seeks impactful technological advancements on previous growth. • A substantial 36% of AI financing deals are still under $5 million, signaling continued interest in new enterprises with unique offerings, like AI integrations and hardware.
Source: Pitchbook as of July 2024. Data consists of transactions where deal value was disclosed.
17
Largest Financing Deals in 2024
Deal Size ($M)
Deal Size ($M)
Company
Date
Funding Type
Company
Date
Funding Type
01-May-24
8,600
Later Stage VC
16-Feb-24
320
Later Stage VC
26-Jun-24
6,000
Early Stage VC
09-Apr-24
300
Later Stage VC
26-Jan-24
1,200
Later Stage VC
22-May-24
300
Later Stage VC
19-Feb-24
1,000
Early Stage VC
16-May-24
254
Later Stage VC
21-May-24
1,000
Later Stage VC
12-Mar-24
250
Later Stage VC
24-Apr-24
1,000
Early Stage VC
30-Apr-24
250
Later Stage VC
23-Feb-24
675
Later Stage VC
24-Apr-24
227
Early Stage VC
11-Jun-24
651
Early Stage VC
09-May-24
220
Seed Round
11-Jun-24
650
Later Stage VC
26-Mar-24
175
Later Stage VC
Cognition
26-Feb-24
431
Early Stage VC
22-Apr-24
175
Early Stage VC
31-May-24
400
Later Stage VC
29-Mar-24
150
Later Stage VC
Source: Pitchbook as of June 2024.
18
AI M&A Activity
Artificial Intelligence M&A Activity
Artificial Intelligence M&A by Year (In Billions of USD)
Total Deal Size in ($B) # of Deals
Annualized
48.1
From 2020 to 2024, there has been a significant uptick in acquisitions of AI startups by major tech companies, aimed at bolstering their technological capabilities and market positions. In 2021, there was a notable increase in sector-specific AI investments. This is prominent in healthcare, where AI-powered solutions promise significant advancements in diagnostics and patient care. Further, the need for remote collaboration brought by the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption and AI deployment across industries in 2021. This all drives heightened interest in AI M&A as companies seek AI technologies for more remote work solutions and operational efficiencies. Cities like San Francisco, Beijing, and Tel Aviv have emerged as prominent global hubs for AI innovation and witnessed a noticeable regional surge in AI sector M&A activity. This trend during these past years has drawn regulatory scrutiny worldwide, with regulators closely monitoring deals to ensure compliance with fair competition and data protection laws. Projections show the AI sector is expected to continue experiencing robust M&A activity, driven by advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision technologies.
700
383
38.5
53.3
50.8
16.8
26.3
2020
2021
2022
2023
YTD 2024
M&A Volume by Quarter (In Billions of USD)
Total Deal Size in ($B) # of Deals
276 288
273
229 236
228
202 190 209
190 184
187
170
165
160
160
139
120
8.3 5.2 1.7 22.0 10.7 8.5 15.8 18.3 24.1 6.4 2.3 17.3 1.2 5.8 6.2 3.1 20.3 2.3
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Source: Pitchbook as of June 2024. Data consists of transactions where deal value was disclosed.
Source: PitchBook, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, TechCrunch, McKinsey & Company.
20
Distribution of Global M&A Deals by Volume
2%
3%
4%3%
10%
4%
14%
22%
2022
2023
Q1 2024
22%
64%
73%
80%
$0 - $100M $100 - $500M $500 - $1000M $1000M+
• 64% of AI M&A deals have been valued under $100 million in 2024, reflecting a broad spectrum of transaction sizes in the AI sector. • There is a noticeable shift in 2024 towards larger AI M&A deals ranging from $10-$500 million. This contrasts with the previous markets, which were predominantly characterized by deals under $100 million. • Companies are increasingly expanding their market presence through strategic acquisitions in AI. This strategy gives larger organizations access to more advanced technologies more efficiently and is evident in the rising number of mid-sized deals, which are valued between $100-$500 million.
Source: Pitchbook as of June 2024. Data consists of transactions where deal value was disclosed.
21
Largest FinTech M&A Deals in 2024
Deal Size ($M)
EV/LTM Revenue
Deal Size ($M)
EV/LTM Revenue
Target
Buyer
Date
Target
Buyer
Date
NA
13-Mar-24
12,250
NA
07-Feb-24
250
NA
19-Mar-24
3,970
3.3x
26-Jun-24
230
NA
01-Jul-24
2,130
NA
28-Mar-24
200
NA
31-Mar-24
1,500
NA
17-Jan-24
200
NA
29-Feb-24
1,350
NA
06-May-24
165
NA
16-May-24
923
NA
03-Jan-24
155
NA
01-Mar-24
603
NA
01-Apr-24
132
NA
01-Feb-24
429
NA
20-Mar-24
99
NA
02-Jan-24
427
NA
12-Feb-24
98
NA
02-May-24
300
NA
02-May-24
79
Source: Pitchbook as of 15 June 2024.
22
Lower Middle Market M&A Deals in 2024
Deal Size ($M)
EV/LTM Revenue
Deal Size ($M)
EV/LTM Revenue
Target
Buyer
Date
Target
Buyer
Date
20-Mar-24
99
NA
11-Apr-24
68
NA
12-Feb-24
98
NA
31-Jan-24
64
NA
02-May-24
79
NA
10-Jun-24
50
29.4X
05-Jan-24
75
NA
01-Jul-24
39
NA
29-Feb-24
70
NA
02-Jul-24
25
3.1x
Source: Pitchbook as of 15 June 2024.
23
Industry Milestones
Industry Milestones
Nov 2022
Mar 2023
Sep 2023
Apr 2024
Acquisition of
Acquisition of
Acquisition of
Acquisition of
$100M
Undisclosed
$3.1Bn
$5.3Bn
2022
2023
2024
Jun 2022
Jan 2023
Apr 2023
Jan 2024
Acquisition of
Acquisition of
Acquisition of
Acquisition of
Undisclosed
$10.0Bn
$4.9Bn
$14.3Bn
Sources: Industry Research
25
Looking Ahead Expect major AI investments from a diversified buyer pool, including sovereign funds, venture capital funds, and even major tech corporations, who look to maintain an upper hand on the competition by incorporating new generative AI and machine learning technologies. That said, there are a few risks in the pipeline: • Higher Initial Costs: 50% of executives have cited costs as the largest hurdle to their company’s AI implementation. Costs related to infrastructure, data collection and AI talent acquisition can be daunting for startups and SMBs. Experts have estimated that it takes 18 months on average to fully implement AI projects, which can pose a significant risk for risk-adverse companies that may be operating with a tight budget. • Increased Regulations: Data privacy, misinformation and cybersecurity risks spur increased regulations for AI. Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology passed the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act of 2023, which directs federal agencies to use an Artificial Intelligence risk management framework. • Need for Private AI: AI algorithms are trained to use customer information, causing data privacy concerns. Industries in the public sector, life sciences, and financial services will look to minimize data breach risk by limiting public AI usage and search for vendors who can offer private AI. Public AI valuations are at all-time highs — Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia all recorded market caps of over $3 trillion in 2024, driven by major technological advancements in the industry. Maintaining rapid growth will hinge on an enterprise's ability to accommodate increased regulation. This is notable around data privacy, which will spur an opportunity for AI companies to implement private AI. Overall, we expect AI to continue benefiting the global economy, as organizations across the globe continue to implement AI to increase productivity, achieving tasks with more accuracy and at a faster rate.
26
Case Studies
AI Writing Tool Receives 5 Offers After Selective Search FE professionals represented an Anonymous AI Writing Company in a competitive and successful sales process
This AI Writing Tool is a pioneering platform with innovative solutions for students, teachers, writers, and businesses across the globe. With over 10 million users and a presence in over 180 countries, the company integrates cutting-edge AI tools to enhance productivity and creativity in content creation. Key offerings include AI-driven writing, rewriting, homework assistance, grading, and plagiarism detection, all backed by robust research tools that ensure accurate and high-quality output. Company Overview:
Anonymous AI SaaS Content Creation
Sold to
Private Buyer
Key Value Drivers:
• 86 Parties Contacted • 5 Offers Received Buyer Interest:
Process Results:
• Achieved $3M in annual recurring revenue by August 2023, indicating strong product-market fit and consistent revenue growth • Garnered 71 million website sessions in the last 12 months, demonstrating extensive user engagement and robust platform appeal • Realized compound monthly growth rates of 4% for ARPU and 3% for lifetime value • Impressive 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot
• As FE International knows the space very well, a focused, yet competitive process sale was achieved. • FE ran IOI and LOI stages and obtained five competitive offers for the business, meeting the owner’s expectations with a buyer able to execute seamlessly and at the right price
28
Copymatic Joins NextNet Media FE International strategically reached out to 99 potential buyers for Copymatic, which yielded 5 offers and its acquisition by Next Net Media
Copymatic provides advanced content generation tools tailored for marketers and writers. Through its innovative platform, users can harness AI- driven solutions for copywriting, content optimization, and audience targeting. With features such as real-time editing, SEO recommendations, and multilingual support, Copymatic transforms the content creation process. It delivers impactful and audience-centric narratives. It is competitively u nparalleled in the AI writing space — it holds a distinct position among giants like Grammarly and CopyAI for boasting a laudably low plagiarism rate of 2%. Company Overview:
Sold to
Key Value Drivers:
Buyer Interest:
• FE International efficiently orchestrated a process where Copymatic, upon entering the market, swiftly garnered five notable bids. This culminated in an LOI with Next Net Media. Our deep industry ties played a crucial role in obtaining these offers Process Results:
AI Writing Software
• Stellar momentum in the AI content generation sector, exemplified by a revenue growth of 1036% since its inception • Operational agility reflected in a solo-driven yet efficient structure. The founder's dedication fuels both technical and strategic facets of the business • Strong financials with net margins of 54% over the LTM, surging to 63% in recent months • Consistently rising LTV of c.$140
• 99 Parties Contacted
29
Behind this Report
Hector Sandoval Associate
Ismael Wrixen Executive Chairman
linkedin" Icon -
linkedin" Icon -
Hector Sandoval has 5+ years of Investment Banking experience. He has executed over $5 billion in capital raises for public and sponsor- backed companies. He previously was an Associate at Oppenheimer within the Leveraged Finance & Special Situations group.
Ismael Wrixen is Executive Chairman of FE International. Before FE, Wrixen was in large-cap M&A investment banking, where he executed several high-profile public deals, namely in the technology sector. He is a member of the Forbes Finance Council and a NACVA 2018 40 Under 40 Award winner.
Thomas Smale Chief Executive Officer
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Thomas Smale dedicates his career to helping founders get acquired on their terms. He built FE into the leading advisor for lower middle market technology businesses. Thomas offers invaluable technical, diligence, and negotiation advice to early-stage and seasoned business owners alike.
Kanika Arora Analyst Kanika Arora has 2+ years of experience as an IB analyst at J.P Morgan in M&A, IPO, and shareholder activism space. She has a combined experience of over $4 billion in deals in the Diversified Industries & Transportation vertical covering chemicals, capital goods, transportation, A&D, and the airlines sector. linkedin" Icon -
Randal Stephenson Head of Investment Banking
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Randal Stephenson has over 25 years of experience in both M&A advisory and debt and equity capital raising. Before FE, he held senior investment banking positions at Merrill Lynch, Jefferies, CIT Group, and Duff & Phelps. He has closed over 300 transactions valued at $44 billion across 22 countries.
30
About FE International Founded in 2010, FE International is an award-winning strategic advisor for technology businesses.
Sector Expertise
1,500 + Transactions completed on behalf of clients 1
Consumer Product Ecommerce Over 100 Successfully Closed Deals
Artificial Intelligence Over 15 Successfully Closed Deals
Agency & Marketing Solutions Over 50 Successfully Closed Deals
$48M Average Transaction Value
Percentage Completed Transactions 2 94.1% 70% +
Percentage of Sell-Side Transactions
Education Technology and Online Training Over 50 Successfully Closed Deals
Cybersecurity & FinTech Over 40 Successfully Closed Deals
Marketplace Apps Over 50 Successfully Closed Deals
Source: Company data. 1. Includes approximately 300 transactions completed by FE professionals while at other firms. 2. Sell-Side transactions, measured from the date of launch of buyer outreach and marketing.
31
London, UK
Warsaw, Poland
New York, USA
San Francisco, USA
Miami, USA
Mumbai, India
Awards:
Featured in:
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