5-point plan for the defense industry

The European PropTech and ConTech M&A market is regaining momentum, but under fundamentally changed dynamics. Capital has become more selective, strategic buyers are increasingly dominating transaction processes, and single-point solutions are losing relevance despite strong growth.This snapshot highlights a clear shift toward scalable SaaS platforms with recurring revenues, deep workflow integration, and strong data foundations. Buy-and-build strategies remain the primary growth lever for investors, while AI-enabled platforms combining operational data and automation capabilities are commanding increasing strategic premiums.As recent transactions such as the Consigli deal demonstrate, valuation is no longer driven by revenue alone, but by a company’s role within future platform ecosystems. As a result, well-positioned platforms benefit from an attractive exit environment, while demand for mid-market add-on acquisitions remains strong. 

Companies with IT/technology represented in core executive leadership achieve higher valuations, innovate faster, and are more resilient. The DACH region has a systematic gap to close in this regard. Those who continue to treat technology as a staff function are demonstrably forfeiting growth and competitiveness. Opening up the executive body is not a structural question - it is a value decision.