San Francisco is the global center of technology M&A. This list covers 10 advisors active in software, AI, SaaS, and fintech deals in 2026 - with deal sizes, sector focus, and recent transactions.
SF technology M&A in 2026
Technology M&A hit $534 billion globally in 2025 - and the Bay Area drove more of that volume than any other single market. AI acquisitions are now the dominant deal type.
Strategic buyers - Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Databricks - have active Bay Area corporate development teams running continuous acquisition programs. Your advisor needs direct relationships inside these teams.
Software and SaaS deals in SF average four to seven months from launch to close. AI deals with complex IP structures can take longer. Advisors without a tech-specific track record underestimate how fast buyers move.
Set up an Ellty data room and upload your financial models, ARR data, and IP inventory before your first advisor meeting. Use startups page resources to understand what acquirers expect from a founder-led data room.
What separates SF tech advisors
The best SF tech advisors close 6-15 software or AI transactions per year. Boutiques like Qatalyst and FT Partners carry deal histories that matter to large strategic buyers.
Acquirers in SF research your advisor's track record before engaging. An advisor who has done 5 deals in your category carries more credibility than one who has done 100 cross-sector deals.
AI and software acquisitions in 2025-2026 require advisors who can translate technical differentiation for non-technical buyers. Most advisors can't. The good ones prove it during the pitch process.
Use Ellty's venture capital page to understand what growth equity buyers expect to see before submitting a bid. Their diligence checklist informs how you build your data room.
| Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatalyst Partners | Sell-side | $500M-$50B+ | Software, internet, semiconductors, AI, enterprise tech | qatalyst.com |
| FT Partners | Sell-side | $50M-$5B+ | Fintech, payments, digital banking, insurtech, crypto | ftpartners.com |
| Union Square Advisors | Both | $50M-$2B+ | Software, SaaS, internet, enterprise tech | usadvisors.com |
| Houlihan Lokey | Both | $50M-$5B+ | Software, SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, IT services | hl.com |
| Lincoln International | Both | $50M-$1B+ | Software, SaaS, IT services, digital economy | lincolninternational.com |
| William Blair | Both | $50M-$2B+ | Software, SaaS, tech-enabled services, fintech | williamblair.com |
| Harris Williams | Both | $50M-$2B+ | Software, SaaS, tech-enabled services, business services | harriswilliams.com |
| Vista Point Advisors | Sell-side | $5M-$200M | Software, AI, internet, SaaS, founder-led tech | vistapointadvisors.com |
| GrowthPoint Technology Partners | Sell-side | $10M-$250M | Software, SaaS, cybersecurity, IT services | growthpointpartners.com |
| Piper Sandler | Both | $50M-$2B+ | Technology, software, fintech, cybersecurity | pipersandler.com |
How to verify an SF tech advisor's track record
Ask for a deal list from the last 24 months with company names, buyer types, and deal sizes. A credible SF tech advisor closes 6+ software or AI transactions per year.
Don't accept "we've done 200+ deals" as a credential. Ask which of those deals were in your sub-sector - AI infrastructure, vertical SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity - and who the buyers were.
Ask the advisor to name five acquirers currently running active acquisition programs in your category. An advisor who pauses doesn't have the live buyer relationships that matter here.
Ellty's investor relations page covers what financial buyers look for before submitting a bid. Knowing their checklist informs how you stage your data room access.
Read the San Francisco M&A advisors overview before narrowing to technology specialists.
SF tech M&A data room
Organize your SaaS metrics, IP filings, and AI documentation before buyers start diligence.
Start free 14-day trialWhat a tech M&A deal looks like: 6 stages
SF technology sell-side processes run four to seven months. AI deals with patent reviews and technical IP audits can extend to nine months.
| Stage | What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Preparation | Valuation, advisor selection, CIM drafted | 3 years financials, ARR breakdown, IP inventory |
| Advisor engagement | Advisor engagement | Engagement letter signed, buyer list finalized | Engagement letter, cap table, key contracts |
| Marketing | Marketing | Teaser and CIM sent to strategic and PE buyers | Ellty data room with staged access by buyer tier |
| LOI | LOI | Buyers submit bids, advisor negotiates shortlist | Updated ARR, cap table, product roadmap |
| Due diligence | Due diligence | Buyer reviews code, IP, customers, financials | Full Ellty room: IP docs, customer agreements, financials |
| Close | Close | Purchase agreement signed, funds transferred | Board approvals, reps and warranties, escrow |
10 San Francisco technology M&A advisors in 2026
These firms are active across software, AI, SaaS, fintech, and cybersecurity M&A in San Francisco and the Bay Area in 2026.
1. Qatalyst Partners
Qatalyst is the most active and prestigious tech-only M&A boutique in San Francisco, with 200+ completed transactions weighted toward the $500M+ end. If you need Salesforce, Microsoft, or Thoma Bravo at the table, Qatalyst gets them there.
Recent Deals: Advised PROS Holdings on its ~$1.4B take-private by Thoma Bravo (September 2025). Advising CyberArk in connection with Palo Alto Networks' acquisition, active into 2026.
LinkedIn: Qatalyst Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, internet, semiconductors, AI, enterprise tech
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $500M-$50B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (headquarters)
Website: qatalyst.com
2. FT Partners
FT Partners is the only fintech-exclusive investment bank globally. Founded in 2001 in San Francisco, with 700+ completed transactions, they know the fintech buyer pool better than any generalist firm.
Recent Deals: Advised Hidden Road on its $1.25B sale to Ripple (April 2025). Advised on the acquisition of KUBRA by REPAY (March 2026). Active in fintech and payments M&A through 2026.
LinkedIn: FT Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Fintech, payments, digital banking, insurtech, digital assets, lending tech
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $50M-$5B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (headquarters)
Website: ftpartners.com
3. Union Square Advisors
Union Square Advisors is a San Francisco-based technology investment bank with 122 completed deals. They cover software, SaaS, and enterprise tech with sell-side focus and a senior deal team.
Recent Deals: Advised on the acquisition of Conservice by TPG (December 2025). Active in software and enterprise tech M&A through 2025-2026 with a dedicated SF-based team.
LinkedIn: Union Square Advisors on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, internet, SaaS, enterprise tech, digital media
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$2B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (headquarters)
Website: usadvisors.com
4. Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey is the No. 1 ranked technology M&A advisory team globally, with approximately 150 tech finance professionals. Their SF office covers software, fintech, and cybersecurity across deal sizes.
Recent Deals: Led TMT deal volume in three out of four quarters in 2025. Ranked No. 1 globally for M&A by transaction volume in 2024. Active across software and fintech M&A through 2026.
LinkedIn: Houlihan Lokey on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, IT services, industrial software
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$5B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (major office, global network)
Website: hl.com
5. Lincoln International
Lincoln International acquired TCG Corporate Finance in late 2024, expanding their global tech group to 150+ specialists with North American and European coverage.
Recent Deals: Advised Peak Rock Capital on the sale of Spatial Business Systems to Enverus (Blackstone portfolio) in 2025. Active in software and SaaS M&A through 2026 with SF Bay Area coverage.
LinkedIn: Lincoln International on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, SaaS, IT services, digital economy, tech-enabled services
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$1B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (Bay Area coverage, Chicago headquarters)
Website: lincolninternational.com
SF tech M&A data room
Organize your SaaS metrics, IP filings, and AI documentation before buyers start diligence.
Start free 14-day trial6. William Blair
William Blair is the mid-market full-service bank closest to a true software specialist. Their SF coverage reaches the $50M-$2B range where senior attention and buyer breadth both matter.
Recent Deals: Acted as exclusive financial advisor to SpryPoint (Norwest Venture Partners) on its growth investment from Insight Partners (December 2025). Active in software and SaaS M&A through 2026.
LinkedIn: William Blair on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, SaaS, tech-enabled services, fintech, healthcare tech
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$2B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (Bay Area coverage, Chicago headquarters)
Website: williamblair.com
7. Harris Williams
Harris Williams closes 30+ technology transactions annually with deep PE platform relationships running vertical SaaS consolidation strategies. Their annual deal volume gives live pricing data.
Recent Deals: Advised on the acquisition of Takkion by Siris Capital (May 2026). Active across software, SaaS, and tech-enabled services M&A with national and Bay Area buyer coverage.
LinkedIn: Harris Williams on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, SaaS, tech-enabled services, business services, healthcare tech
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$2B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (Bay Area coverage, national network)
Website: harriswilliams.com
8. Vista Point Advisors
Vista Point is a sell-side-only boutique in San Francisco representing founder-led software, AI, and internet businesses. They specialize in the $5M-$200M range where larger firms won't prioritize your deal.
Recent Deals: Active in software, AI, and internet M&A advisory through 2025-2026. Vista Point covers Bay Area founder exits with exclusively sell-side representation and senior-led processes.
LinkedIn: Vista Point Advisors on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, AI, internet, SaaS, founder-led tech
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $5M-$200M
Location: San Francisco, CA (headquarters)
Website: vistapointadvisors.com
9. GrowthPoint Technology Partners
GrowthPoint is a dedicated tech boutique covering software, SaaS, and cybersecurity M&A in the $10M-$250M range. They fill the gap between early acquihires and mid-market processes that larger banks ignore.
Recent Deals: Active in software, SaaS, and cybersecurity M&A advisory through 2025-2026. GrowthPoint covers Bay Area tech exits where deal size and senior attention both matter.
LinkedIn: GrowthPoint Technology Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, SaaS, cybersecurity, IT services, enterprise tech
Deal Type: Sell-side
Deal Size: $10M-$250M
Location: San Francisco, CA (headquarters)
Website: growthpointpartners.com
10. Piper Sandler
Piper Sandler expanded its cybersecurity and govtech capabilities in 2025 by acquiring G Squared Capital Partners. Their SF tech team covers software, cybersecurity, and fintech with dedicated sector coverage.
Recent Deals: Acquired G Squared Capital Partners (September 2025), adding 50+ government technology deals to its advisory track record. Active in software and cybersecurity M&A through 2026.
LinkedIn: Piper Sandler on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Technology, software, fintech, cybersecurity, govtech
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$2B+
Location: San Francisco, CA (major office, national network)
Website: pipersandler.com
AI M&A in San Francisco in 2026
AI acquisitions are the dominant deal type in SF right now. ServiceNow acquired Moveworks for $2.85B in March 2025. OpenAI has made six acquisitions in 2026 alone. Databricks acquired Tecton in August 2025.
These deals are moving fast - SF AI acquisitions often run on sub-three-month timelines from first buyer contact to close. Your advisor needs to be able to compress your process to match buyer urgency.
Most AI deals in 2025-2026 are acquihires or talent-plus-IP transactions. Advisors who can articulate your AI model's technical differentiation to a corporate development team close faster.
Ellty's fundraising page covers what growth equity and PE buyers expect before submitting bids on AI businesses. Knowing their checklist helps you build the right data room from day one.
Read the New York technology M&A advisors guide to compare SF AI buyer dynamics to East Coast software acquirers.
Choosing between a boutique and a bulge-bracket bank in SF
Below $200M, almost every SF deal goes to a boutique. Bulge-bracket banks staff junior teams on sub-$500M mandates and senior attention disappears after the pitch meeting.
Above $500M, the calculus changes. Goldman, Morgan Stanley, and Evercore bring global buyer coverage that boutiques can't match. Qatalyst is the exception - they compete at any size.
Vertical SaaS companies between $100M and $500M often split the difference: boutique representation with a named senior partner stays active through close.
Ellty's professional services page covers how advisors and their legal teams expect documents organized during due diligence. Organized files reduce the back-and-forth that extends close timelines.
Read the Chicago technology M&A advisors guide to compare SF tech advisory to Midwest software deal markets.
What PE buyers focus on in SF tech diligence
PE sponsors running vertical SaaS consolidations want NRR above 110%, gross margin above 70%, and Rule of 40 scores above 40. Miss any of these and they reprice.
AI acquisitions attract PE buyers who are newer to the category. Some don't fully understand what they're buying. Your advisor should be able to pre-empt the diligence questions before buyers ask.
Code quality, IP ownership, and data licensing agreements are the three diligence areas that most often create problems in SF tech deals. Address them before going to market.
Ellty's secure file sharing controls which PE buyers see your technical documentation and IP filings. Share proprietary code and models only after NDAs are fully executed.
Read the San Francisco consumer M&A advisors guide to see how SF tech deal timelines compare to consumer sector processes in the same market.
How Ellty helps you close a tech M&A deal in San Francisco
Build your data room early. Bay Area tech buyers expect organized IP and financial files.
- 1.Upload financials and IP documentation securelyAdd ARR data, IP filings, and contracts before buyer outreach.
- 2.Set buyer permissions by deal stageControl who sees technical specs and AI model documentation.
- 3.Track document activity to spot serious buyersSee who opens files and follow up with real intent.
Common questions about San Francisco technology M&A advisors
- SaaS companies with NRR above 110% trade at 6x-9x ARR. AI-native businesses with unique models and data assets command premiums above standard SaaS multiples in 2026.
- Expect four to seven months. AI deals with complex IP structures or regulatory considerations can extend to nine months.
- FT Partners is the only fintech-exclusive bank in SF. Union Square Advisors and Houlihan Lokey also cover fintech at the mid-market level.
- Use a boutique under $200M for senior attention and sell-side focus. Use a bulge-bracket bank above $500M when global strategic buyer access matters more.
- NRR, gross margin, Rule of 40 score, IP ownership, customer concentration, and code quality are the top six focus areas for PE buyers in SF software deals.
- Yes. Qatalyst, Union Square, Vista Point, and FT Partners have all closed AI-related transactions. Verify specific AI deal history before signing an engagement letter.
