Mergers & Acquisitions

OPAQUE Acquires Cryptographic AI Technology From UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 4, 2026

OPAQUE, the Confidential AI company headquartered in San Francisco and founded by researchers from UC Berkeley's RISELab, has acquired advanced cryptographic AI technologies from the Technology Innovation Institute, the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council. The acquisition marks the first time cryptographic AI technologies developed in the UAE have been acquired and deployed at scale by a U.S.-based technology company.

American Express Global Business Travel To Be Acquired By Long Lake For $6.3 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 4, 2026

American Express Global Business Travel, operated by Global Business Travel Group and listed on the NYSE under the ticker GBTG, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Long Lake Management in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.3 billion. Amex GBT shareholders will receive $9.50 per share in cash, representing a 60.2% premium to Amex GBT's closing stock price on May 1, 2026, and a premium of approximately 65.1% over the 30-day volume weighted average price ending that date.

Avista Healthcare Partners Launches Birchwell Consumer Health And Acquires Bag Balm As First Investment

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 4, 2026

Avista Healthcare Partners, a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on healthcare with over $10 billion invested in more than 50 healthcare businesses globally, has announced the launch of Birchwell Consumer Health, a new U.S. consumer healthcare platform formed to acquire differentiated, problem-solving over-the-counter and skincare brands. Birchwell's first acquisition is Bag Balm, a Vermont-based therapeutic skincare brand founded in 1899, acquired from a seller group led by Gemini Investors.

Mobius Renewables Completes Acquisition Of Air Liquide’s Biogas Production Activities Across Four Countries

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 4, 2026

Mobius Renewables, a global vertically integrated low-carbon fuels platform established in December 2025 by funds managed by IFM Investors, has completed the acquisition of Air Liquide's biogas production activities in the United States, France, Norway, and Sweden.

Badger Meter Completes Acquisition Of UDlive, Expanding Global Sewer Line Monitoring Footprint

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Badger Meter has completed the acquisition of UDlive, a UK-based provider of hardware-enabled software solutions for sewer line monitoring, integrating the company into its BlueEdge suite of water management solutions. The deal pairs UDlive's leadership position in the United Kingdom with SmartCover's significant presence in the United States, creating a leading footprint in key global markets within the fast-growing sewer line monitoring sector.

Payward Completes Acquisition Of Bitnomial

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Payward, the unified financial infrastructure platform behind Kraken and NinjaTrader, has completed its acquisition of Bitnomial, making it the first company in the United States to own a fully CFTC-licensed derivatives stack built natively for digital assets. The combination gives Payward ownership of a Futures Commission Merchant, a Designated Contract Market and a Derivatives Clearing Organization — a complete regulatory infrastructure purpose-built for crypto markets over more than a decade.

Dwell, Domino And Business Of Home Acquired By Ziff Davis In Home Media Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Ziff Davis, the digital media company behind CNET, Mashable and TheSkimm, has acquired three of the design world's most influential titles — Dwell, Domino and Business of Home — from Recurrent Ventures, marking a significant expansion of the company's portfolio into the lifestyle and home category. Popular Science is also included in the transaction, joining Ziff Davis's Technology division. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Assured Robot Intelligence Joins Meta To Help Build The Future Of Humanoid Intelligence

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Assured Robot Intelligence, a robotics startup focused on achieving physical artificial general intelligence, has joined Meta, with the team set to work within Meta Superintelligence Labs to advance the company's humanoid robotics ambitions. The announcement was made by ARI co-founder Xiaolong Wang on social media, approximately one year after the company was founded with the explicit mission of developing a truly general-purpose physical agent.

Turpaz Industries Acquires U.S. Flavor And Fragrance Company Phoenix For $95 Million

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Turpaz Industries, a global developer and manufacturer of flavors, fragrances, and specialty fine ingredients operating in more than 90 countries, has signed and closed an agreement to acquire Phoenix Flavors & Fragrances Inc., a U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of fragrance and flavor extracts, for $95 million. The transaction, financed entirely from Turpaz's own resources, also includes up to $5 million in contingent consideration tied to Phoenix's performance during the second and third quarters of 2026.

Applied Materials Acquires NEXX Business From ASMPT

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Applied Materials has entered into a definitive agreement with ASMPT Limited to acquire its NEXX business, a supplier of large-area advanced packaging deposition equipment for the semiconductor industry. The deal expands Applied Materials' panel-level advanced packaging technologies, which are designed to help chipmakers and systems companies build larger-body AI accelerators capable of higher energy-efficient performance. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

UCB To Acquire Candid Therapeutics For Up To $2.2 Billion

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Candid Therapeutics, a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel T-cell engagers for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, for up to $2.2 billion. The deal comprises $2 billion in upfront payments and up to $200 million in potential future milestone payments, and is expected to close by the end of the second quarter or early third quarter of 2026, pending antitrust clearance and other customary conditions.

VeraData And Avalon Consulting Join Forces, Expanding Integrated Fundraising Platform For Nonprofits

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

VeraData Holdings and Avalon Consulting have announced a merger that unites Avalon's deep strategic fundraising expertise with VeraData's data science and AI capabilities, creating a more integrated and comprehensive omnichannel fundraising enterprise for nonprofit organizations. Avalon, a woman-owned fundraising agency operating since 1997, joins the VeraData Group alongside Faircom New York and Teal Media, with the combined entity positioned to deliver a connected system spanning donor behavior analytics, creative strategy, and multi-channel media execution.

Lightspeed Commerce Divests Upserve U.S. Hospitality Product Line To Skyview Equity

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Lightspeed Commerce has announced the sale of its non-core Upserve U.S. hospitality product line to Skyview Equity for total cash consideration of up to $81 million USD, with $37 million subject to an earnout tied to performance targets over 24 months. The divestiture is consistent with Lightspeed's strategy to streamline its portfolio and concentrate on its two core growth engines: retail in North America and hospitality in Europe.

GameStop Proposes To Buy eBay In $55.5 Billion Cash-And-Stock Deal

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

GameStop has submitted a non-binding proposal to acquire 100% of eBay Inc. at $125.00 per share in a combination of cash and stock, valuing the e-commerce giant at approximately $55.5 billion on an undiluted basis. The offer represents a 46% premium to eBay's unaffected closing price on February 4, 2026, the day GameStop began accumulating its position in the company. GameStop has since built a 5% economic stake in eBay through derivatives and beneficial ownership of common stock, and is filing a Schedule 13D and HSR notification concurrently with the proposal.

Inszone: Acquisition Of Mena Insurance Agency Expands Arkansas Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Inszone Insurance Services has acquired Mena Insurance Agency, a long-standing Arkansas-based insurance provider, as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in the state. The transaction brings a century-old agency with deep community roots into Inszone’s growing national platform.

Pappas Family Of Restaurants Acquires On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Pappas Restaurants, one of the nation's largest family-owned and operated restaurant groups, has completed the acquisition of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, uniting two Texas-born dining institutions under a single roof. The deal, which closed in May 2025, brings together brands with deep roots in Lone Star hospitality and a shared passion for bold Tex-Mex flavors.

The Marzetti Company Completes Acquisition Of Bachan’s

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

The Marzetti Company has completed its acquisition of Bachan's, Inc., the fast-growing Japanese Barbecue Sauce brand known for its clean-label, family-recipe-inspired products, in a transaction valued at $400 million. The deal reinforces Marzetti's expanding position in the condiment and sauce category and is expected to create new opportunities through the company's retail and foodservice distribution network, supply chain capabilities, and culinary expertise.

Annex Brands Acquires Postal Connections To Surpass 800 Franchise Locations Across North America

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Annex Brands, a leading franchisor in the packing, shipping, and office services industries, has acquired Postal Connections of America, franchisor of 34 Postal Connections packaging and shipping franchises across the United States.

Spring Health And Alma Complete Combination To Create First Lifelong Mental Health Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Spring Health, a global mental health company, has announced the successful closing of its acquisition of Alma, a membership-based platform that helps independent mental health clinicians accept insurance and build private practices. The combined company now supports more than 170 million lives globally across employers and health plans.

The Pete Store Acquires G.L. Sayre To Expand Mid-Atlantic Peterbilt Network Into Philadelphia And Wilmington

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

The Pete Store, a four-time Peterbilt North American Dealer of the Year and one of the largest privately owned Peterbilt dealer groups in North America, has acquired G.L. Sayre, a family-owned Peterbilt dealership with locations in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania and New Castle, Delaware.

Gardiner Service Company Acquires IntelliTech Fire And Security To Expand Life Safety Capabilities In Northern Ohio

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Gardiner Service Company, a leader in Northern Ohio for HVAC and building technology, has acquired IntelliTech Fire and Security, a Medina, Ohio-based full-service provider specializing in fire protection and building safety systems. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Kiely Family Of Companies Acquires M. O’Herron Company, A 123-Year-Old Utility Contractor

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Kiely Family of Companies, a multi-discipline design-build enterprise with more than 2,200 team members across the United States and India, has acquired M. O'Herron Company, a family-owned utility contractor specializing in natural gas distribution throughout the Pittsburgh Metro area and West Virginia since 1903. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Barclays: Acquisition Of Best Egg Completed To Expand U.S. Personal Lending Platform

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Barclays has completed its acquisition of Best Egg, a U.S.-based direct-to-consumer personal loan origination platform, marking a key milestone in the bank’s U.S. growth strategy. The transaction was carried out through Barclays Bank Delaware, its U.S. consumer banking subsidiary.

Tech Mahindra: Acquisition Of Avant Techno Solutions Strengthens Payments And Wealth Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

Tech Mahindra has acquired Avant Techno Solutions, a Canada-based firm specializing in payments modernization and wealth platforms, to enhance its capabilities in the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors.

PointsKash: Acquisition Of Keating Rewards Platform Expands Fintech Infrastructure Capabilities

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 3, 2026

PointsKash has acquired Keating Software’s rewards program development and reporting platform in a cash and stock transaction, bringing key technology in-house to enhance its fintech ecosystem.

Gates Corporation To Acquire Timken’s Belts Business

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 1, 2026

Gates Industrial Corporation, a global manufacturer of power transmission and fluid power solutions listed on the NYSE under the ticker GTES, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the belts business from The Timken Company, including select manufacturing assets. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

Prosperity Capital Advisors Unifies Five Firms Under One Brand With $4.7 Billion In Combined AUM

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 1, 2026

Prosperity Capital Advisors, an SEC-registered investment advisor dedicated to holistic wealth management, has announced the unification of five firms under the Prosperity brand: JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management, Alison Wealth Management, OneTeam Financial, Hammer Financial Group, and FSC Wealth Advisors. The combined organization represents 152 front- and back-office professionals, including 98 investment advisor representatives and $4.7 billion in assets under management.

Datavault AI And CyberCatch Sign Binding Letter Of Intent For All-Stock Acquisition

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 1, 2026

Datavault AI, a provider of data monetization and digital engagement technologies listed on Nasdaq under the ticker DVLT, and CyberCatch Holdings, a cybersecurity company listed on the TSXV under CYBE, have entered into a binding letter of intent under which Datavault AI will acquire 100% of CyberCatch in an all-stock transaction. The implied aggregate value to CyberCatch's outstanding common shares is CAD $136.8 million. The parties have agreed to negotiate a definitive agreement during a 45-day mutual exclusivity period.

Lightedge Acquires 3MW Tier III Data Center In Kansas City

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 1, 2026

Lightedge, a leading provider of secure hybrid cloud and colocation solutions backed by private equity firm GI Partners, has acquired a 3 megawatt, Uptime Institute Tier III certified data center in Kansas City, Missouri, expanding its footprint in one of the Midwest's most active enterprise infrastructure markets.

Carson Group Acquires Harbor Wealth Management To Expand Great Lakes Presence

By Amit Chowdhry ● May 1, 2026

Carson Group, a leading wealth advisory firm with over $57 billion in assets under management, has acquired Harbor Wealth Management, a Green Bay, Wisconsin-based advisory firm serving approximately $396 million in assets under management. The firm is led by Partners and Senior Wealth Advisors Eric Heus and Brent Polzin and will transition as an integrated office, rebranding as the Carson Wealth office in Green Bay.