Industry Insight Video Series

Technology companies, long-time investment targets for the venture capital community, have become more attractive to private equity investors. Fintech, blockchain, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital currency are creating excitement. Asael Meir, CohnReznick’s Technology Industry Practice Leader, sees private equity entering earlier in the investment lifecycle and venture capital being more selective. The lines between the two are blurring. He advises technology clients to pick the investment partner with the greatest ability to help accelerate growth.

An abundance of capital has changed the landscape for life sciences companies with an interest in raising capital. Venture capital and private equity investors are actively seeking quality investments. Corporate investors like big pharma continue to buy growth by acquiring companies that can extend product lines or reach into new markets. Ravi Ragunathan, CohnReznick’s Life Sciences Industry Practice Leader, says that even though plenty of capital exists in the private markets, the IPO continues to be of interest to many life sciences companies.

In addition to the financial capital, restaurant companies should consider the intellectual capital of the buyer when negotiating a transaction. Private equity firms with a proven track-record in the hospitality space can use their knowledge of the industry and their operational expertise to help accelerate growth.  Cindy McLoughlin, CohnReznick’s Hospitality Industry Practice Leader thinks that best of class restaurant companies will continue to fetch healthy valuations.  Those restaurants with a scalable concept and talented management team who pays plenty of attention to culture, technology, and the customer, will capture the interest of investors.

Disruptive companies and those that provide customers with an outstanding buying experience are most attractive to the investment community. The quality of the management team, how well they know the space, how well they know the consumer and how well they execute on the vision of the company is also of high value to investors. Amid the challenges faced by the consumer industry, innovative companies are changing the way they interact with their customers. Stephen Wyss, CohnReznick’s Retail and Consumer Industry Practice Leader, says that successful companies are using digital strategies to get to know their customers’ likes, dislikes, and buying habits.  Matching the brand experience with the execution of delivering the product experience is critical.

Emerging growth companies are attractive to investors because of their high potential for growth. Private equity, venture capital, and strategic investors are accelerating investments while IPO transaction activity has decreased. This market dynamic is likely to continue as the availability of private capital persists. Alex Castelli, Managing Partner for CohnReznick’s Emerging Markets Industry Practice, says that those companies with innovative ideas and a demonstrated ability to grow will continue to attract capital.