A total of 252 transactions were seen in the first quarter of 2026, up 16% year-over-year and on par to match the 10-year high achieved in 2024. There was robust demand from strategic and financial buyers, with Private Equity firms accounting for the buyer in 23% of these transactions.
Marketing and Ad Tech M&A Activity by Deal Count
Marketing and Ad Tech M&A Activity by Disclosed Deal Amount
Disclosed M&A deal value reached $3.9B in the first quarter of 2026. Only 10% of deals announed financial terms as buyers preferred to keep their M&A strategies private.
Top Marketing and Ad Tech Acquirers by Deal Count
During the first three months of 2026, the top active buyers were led by team.blue, a Belgium-based, AI powered digital solutions provider that completed four deals. Other strategic acquirers completed two deals each, including French multinational advertising and PR company Publicis Groupe and audience management platform creator Adrenalead. Among PE firms we spotted Trinity Hunt, a Texan private equity firm focused on business and consumer services, which completed three deals through its digital experience agency The Verndale Corporation. Trinity Hunt was followed by Shamrock Capital, a Californian investment firm focused on media, entertainment, and communications, which announced two deals.
Marketing and Ad Tech VC Funding​
Venture capital funding in MarTech remains below its 2021 peak, with a modest uptick from 2023 to 2024, and early 2026 indicating stabilization rather than a rebound. The median venture capital funding size was $3 million. It is anticipated that the downward trend in venture capital funding will persist beyond 2026. These dynamics have encouraged companies to pursue M&A strategies for growth and liquidity instead.
