Victoria Bazir
⬤ U.S. tech mergers and acquisitions have exploded in 2025, making it one of the most valuable years for deal-making in recent memory. While the total number of deals has actually dropped compared to previous years, the sheer size of transactions tells a different story. Total announced deal value has climbed to roughly $543 billion, making 2025 the second-biggest year of the decade, trailing only the record-breaking 2021.
⬤ The numbers show a dramatic jump in deal value when stacked against 2023 and 2024. In fact, this year's total exceeds what those two years produced combined. What's driving this surge? Massive AI-related acquisitions. Tech companies aren't making tons of small bets anymore. Instead, they're writing huge checks for strategic assets that can give them a real edge in artificial intelligence. It's less about quantity and more about landing the capabilities that matter most for building next-generation products.
⬤ Part of what's fueling this buying spree is a friendlier regulatory climate that's made it easier to get big deals across the finish line. Companies are also laser-focused on grabbing assets that strengthen their position in critical areas like AI infrastructure, model development, and enterprise automation. The deal count might be down, but the size of individual transactions has skyrocketed, pushing total value way up.
⬤ This makes 2025 a turning point for tech consolidation. The flood of capital into large AI deals shows just how central these technologies have become to competitive strategy. It's a clear signal that companies view advanced AI as essential for long-term growth and scale, and this trend will likely shape how dealmakers approach 2026 and beyond.
Victoria Bazir
