Press

NY Tech Alliance – Buying and Selling Privately-Held Companies: Process and Key Deal Terms > Panelist

August 10, 2023

Buying or selling a company is always a high-stakes event. While the rewards of a successful deal can be significant, the costs that can result from a failed or poorly-executed transaction should not be underestimated. Yet for many company principals, the enthusiasm of the deal sometimes overshadows the process ...

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Operational and finance tips for early-stage startups in a tough market

August 3, 2023

There is no question that this market is tough for tech startups. The market meltdown today can be compared to the dot-com meltdown in 2000 and the Great Recession meltdown in 2009. But even in tough markets, there are many survivors. This article explores survival tips for startups — ...

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TechCrunch – Operational and finance tips for early-stage startups in a tough market > Contributor

August 3, 2023

Laying off employees during a downturn will only get a startup so far. Unfortunately, many founders don’t even consider paring back on operational and financial expenses until it’s too late. When it comes to extending cash on hand, everything from canceling subscriptions to “a hard pivot” must be on ...

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ShareVault – Capital Raising: Understanding the Investment Landscape > Webinar

May 20, 2023

In this webinar, you will learn how to navigate the funding landscape, covering everything from SBA loans to crowdfunding, venture capital, private equity and more.

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Key issues you should consider before signing an international merger deal

August 30, 2022

Despite the war in Ukraine, accelerating inflation and increasing interest rates, the technology sector has still seen M&A happening in the United States. In the first half of 2022, large tech M&A transactions included Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, Google buying Mandiant for $5.4 billion, and Elon ...

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TechCrunch – Key issues you should consider before signing an international merger deal > Article

August 30, 2022

Despite the war in Ukraine, accelerating inflation and increasing interest rates, the technology sector has still seen M&A happening in the United States. In the first half of 2022, large tech M&A transactions included Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, Google buying Mandiant for $5.4 billion, and Elon ...

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TechCrunch – Mark-to-Market to Arrive at a Realistic Valuation and Improve your Fundraising odds > Article

July 19, 2022

This article examines the benefits of marking to market a company’s valuation to improve the odds of raising additional funds.

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Mark-to-market to arrive at a realistic valuation and improve your fundraising odds

July 19, 2022

Valuations in 2022 have been falling like a rock as the war in Ukraine rages, inflation skyrockets and the Fed tightens the screws. Fintech firm, Klarna, whose valuation plummeted 85% to just $6.7 billion from $45.6 billion a year ago, is an extreme example of this. Klarna’s woes are ...

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Ascento Capital – Robust M&A Activity in the Data, AI & Analytics Sector > Research

May 6, 2022

This report analyzes 41 recent M&A transactions in the data, AI & analytics sector. The transactions reveal fascinating trends that are very helpful when considering potential acquirers for an M&A process on the sell side. Robust M&A activity in the data, analytics & AI sector is driven by the ...

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The M&A Advisor – 13th Annual International M&A Awards > Judge

February 9, 2022

Ben Boissevain was honored to judge the 13th Annual International M&A Awards. The awards recognize the leading international M&A Transactions, Restructurings, and Financings. Awards are presented at the 2022 Global Deal Summit & SPAC Symposium.

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Village Capital – FinTech Companies at FinHealth US 2022 > Mentor

January 25, 2022

Ben Boissevain was honored to mentor FinTech companies at a session at FinHealth US 2022, a Village Capital accelerator program with support from Freddie Mac, PayPal, and TIAA. This is the third time Ben has been invited to mentor FinTech startup companies for Village Capital.

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Ascento Capital – The Biggest M&A Technology Trends in 2021 > Article

November 15, 2021

Just halfway through Q3 in 2021, Reuters reported the global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity had reached new highs with the aid of low-interest rates and soaring stock prices. The total value of pending and completed deals as of August 2021 was $3.6 trillion, surpassing the full-year total of ...

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Ascento Capital – The Technology Investment Bank > Article

September 24, 2021

In this article, we’re going to unpeel the layers of technology investment banking. You’ll discover what technology investment banks do, how they help both start-up and mature tech companies, and the critical role they’re playing in the technological revolution we’re all now experiencing. Many tech companies are not created ...

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How to prepare for M&A, your most likely exit avenue

July 27, 2021

Despite the plentiful headlines about mega billion-dollar M&A transactions, record IPOs and the rapid growth of SPACs, small deals will continue to be the most likely exit for the vast majority of tech startups. In the over 30 years I’ve worked on M&A at White & Case, Barclays and ...

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TechCrunch – How to prepare for M&A, your most likely exit avenue > Article

July 26, 2021

Despite the plentiful headlines about mega billion-dollar M&A transactions, record IPOs and the rapid growth of SPACs, small deals will continue to be the most likely exit for the vast majority of tech startups.

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Ascento Capital – Data & Analytics M&A Report > Sector Research Report

January 15, 2021

Ascento Capital has extensive experience in the Data & Analytics sector and published a report today on the top Data & Analytics M&A transactions in the latest twelve months with acquirers including Bloomberg, S&P Global, Qlik Technologies, IBM and Microsoft Azure.

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Nordic XR Accelerator – Microsoft and Warner Media as Co-hosts > Mentor

December 17, 2020

Nordic XR Startups is an investor and VR/AR accelerator based in Helsinki, Finland. Its mission is to contribute to and improve the competitiveness of the Nordic VR/AR ecosystem and accelerate the growth of its investment portfolio companies. The co-hosts for this event were Microsoft and Warner Media.

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The M&A Advisor -19th Annual M&A Advisor Awards > Judge

November 22, 2020

Ben Boissevain was pleased to judge the 19th Annual M&A Advisor Awards, the third time he has judged the event. The awards are a premier gathering of professionals engaged in M&A, restructuring and financing and industry leaders, watchers and influencers from the US and around the world who participate ...

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NY Tech Alliance – M&A Exits During Uncertain Times > Panelist

November 21, 2020

The severe dislocations that many companies are experiencing during the pandemic have only increased the necessity of making sound, informed strategic decisions about company direction. Then, once a course of action has been selected, there is a premium on being prepared to take quick advantage of those opportunities.

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Speakin in India – Funding Strategies for Startups Masterclass > Lecturer

November 19, 2020

SpeakIn is India’s largest network of thought leaders. SpeakIn Masterclass has featured top corporate leaders, policy makers, academicians and investment professionals and features Masterclasses with senior executives from Tata, IBM and Accenture.

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Ascento Capital – Top 25 Unified Communication M&A Deals > Sector Research Report

September 22, 2020

Ascento Capital has extensive experience in the Unified Communications sector published a report today on 25 recent Unified Communication M&A transactions with acquirers including Microsoft, Zoom, Verizon, OpenText, 8×8 and LogMeIn.

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Village Capital – Finance Forward US 2020 > Mentor

September 21, 2020

Ben Boissevain was honored to mentor FinTech companies at Finance Forward US 2020, a global collaboration among Village Capital, MetLife Foundation, and PayPal. Ben mentored the session: Articulating Your Business Model. This is the second time Ben has been invited to mentor FinTech companies at Finance Forward US.

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The M&A Advisor – 12th Annual International M&A Awards > Judge

June 4, 2020

Ben Boissevain judged transactions for the 12th Annual International M&A Awards, which will recognize the leading international M&A Transactions, Restructurings, and Financings; products and services used internationally; and firms and professionals who are active internationally.

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ShareVault – Demystifying Tech M&A Valuation > Whitepaper

April 27, 2020

Ascento Capital and Sharevault published a whitepaper based on a highly successful webinar regarding Tech M&A valuation. Valuation is the most important part of every tech transaction, the key component in determining the net proceeds to shareholders when a transaction closes.

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LinkedIn – Practical Steps Tech Companies can take Now in this Global Crisis > Article

March 11, 2020

The global environment is suddenly brutal for tech companies with COVID-19 sweeping through country after country, oil falling from $54 a barrel to $30 per barrel and the Dow falling 2,000 points. But instead of panicking, companies should consider taking practical steps to come out ahead.

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The Technology Capital Forum – Key Issues in the Current M&A Landscape > Panelist

January 31, 2020

Ben Boissevain spoke at The Technology Capital Forum, which provides an opportunity to meet capital providers and businesses seeking capital, and to hear a panel of industry experts discuss financing alternatives for technology companies.

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Village Capital – FinTech Startups at Finance Forward at PayPal > Mentor

November 20, 2019

Village Capital in collaboration with MetLife Foundation and PayPal launched “Finance Forward”, a global initiative focused on financial health hosted at PayPal. Ben Boissevain was a mentor at Exit Strategy Part II to help teams better understand how to articulate an exit strategy that aligns with their goals.

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The M&A Advisor – 18th Annual M&A Advisor Awards > Judge

September 19, 2019

Ben Boissevain was honored to judge the 18th Annual M&A Advisor Awards – the benchmark for dealmaking excellence – which recognized the leading M&A Transactions, Restructurings, Deal Financings, Product/ Services, Firms, and Professionals.

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The Information – How the Crypto Boom changed the Mindset of Investors > Quote

February 8, 2019

“Meanwhile, the drop in valuations has made some cashed-up companies think more about acquisitions”, according to Ben Boissevain, an investment banker at Ascento Capital. Kraken, one of the more successful U.S.-based exchanges, said this week it was on the cusp of raising a $100 million “war chest” that it ...

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Ascento Capital – 200% Growth in Blockchain Sector Financing and M&A Activity > Article

December 14, 2018

Total Blockchain and Crypto related deals have surged more than 200% at an annualized rate this year (PitchBook). 115 deals involving cryptocurrency or blockchain had been announced, on pace to hit 145 by the end of 2018 and more growth expected in future years.

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M&A Advisor Summit – The Future of Finance in Blockchain > Moderator

November 6, 2018

Ben Boissevain moderated the panel at 2018 M&A ADVISORS SUMMIT on Blockchain in Finance held at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. The panel focused on the practical uses of blockchain technology beyond Bitcoin.

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LinkedIn – Understanding Working Capital > Article

July 18, 2018

Parties arrive at a purchase price by multiplying the target company’s revenue or EBITDA. While this is generally true, a buyer will also typically require a minimum amount of “working capital” on the balance sheet when the deal closes.

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LinkedIn – A Practical Guide to the Intricacies of M&A Valuation of Tech Companies > Article

June 27, 2018

The theoretical metrics of company valuations are well known. Then how does this theoretical valuation model account for Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp for $19 billion.

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Fox News – What you need to know about GoPro > TV Appearance

April 30, 2018

Wall Street Journal deputy technology editor Scott Austin and Investment Banker Ben Boissevain discuss GoPro’s IPO filing.

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Crain’s New York – Prepping for the 2018 Tech M&A Cycle > Quote

April 10, 2018

“A lot of cash is coming back on shore—as much as $1.5 trillion,” notes Ben Boissevain, Managing Director of Ascento Capital, an M&A advisory and consulting firm. “And a portion of that will certainly go into M&A.”

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Association for Corporate Growth – M&A Landscape – Diving into Four Hot Sectors > Panelist

May 19, 2017

Ben Boissevain was a panelist discussing M&A in 2017 in four of the hot sectors: environmental services, financial services, retail/consumer and technology.

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CoInvent Pulse Festival – Selling your Company: An M&A Primer > Panelist

November 9, 2016

Ben Boissevain was a panelist at CoInvent Pulse, is a business & technology festival featuring 150 exhibitors and an array of business workshops. It’s estimated to be one of the largest technology gatherings with thousands of attendees.

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VIP Law Group – Selling your Company: An M&A Primer for Technology Companies > Panelist

December 1, 2015

A 45 minute workshop sponsored by VLP Law Group at CoInvent Pulse Festival 2015 – New York

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MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC – Financing Technology Companies at Different Stages > Moderator

May 1, 2015

Rapidly growing companies require infusions of capital at various stages of growth. ​T​his ​event offers ​full-spectrum view of the financing of technology companies. Most companies start with sweat equity, augmented by friends and family money. After that, angels are an appropriate source of funds. From there, venture capital may be required for growth that could result in an IPO. The vast majority of successful companies will gain liquidity not via an IPO but will exit via M&A. Each class of investors will have a different valuation of a young company because of their different perspectives of risk and potential. Understanding their perspectives is critical to funding your company or making a sound investment in a venture which will require future growth funds.

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MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC – Follow the Money > Moderator

April 15, 2014

Three leading New York venture capital firms will provide their strategies for 2011. Understanding venture capital firms strategies is critical in order to obtain venture capital. Prior to the panel discussion, PwC will present a summary of the 3rd quarter 2010 MoneyTree Report. The MoneyTree Report is a quarterly study of venture capital investment activity in the United States. As a collaboration between PwC and the National Venture Capital Association based upon data from Thomson Reuters, it is the only industry-endorsed research of its kind. The MoneyTree Report is the definitive source of information on emerging companies that receive financing and the venture capital firms that provide it. The study is a staple of the financial community, entrepreneurs, government policymakers and the business press worldwide.

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