Startup acquisitions hit record $54.5 billion this year

Startup acquisitions have surged dramatically in 2025, reaching a record of $55 billion. This includes 11 deals worth over $1 billion each, with the biggest being the recent $32 billion purchase of cybersecurity company Wiz by Google. This growth signals positive changes in the tech industry, as startups now have better opportunities to cash out. In total, these major deals surpass all previous quarterly records. Last year, only two startup acquisitions of over $1 billion were reported, totaling $3.2 billion. This year's boost comes after a prolonged period of few large deals, indicating renewed investor confidence. Several significant acquisitions occurred this month, such as SoftBank's $6.5 billion purchase of Ampere Computing and Scopely's $3.5 billion buy of Niantic's gaming division. Acquisitions related to artificial intelligence are particularly prominent, suggesting strong interest in this field. Experts believe that more deals will follow. Industry insiders note a change in the market conditions and buyer-seller dynamics, making negotiations easier now. A change in the political landscape, particularly in antitrust policies, also contributes to this optimism. Michael Brown, a partner involved in the Wiz deal, pointed out that the expected increase in tech IPOs will help startups negotiate better prices. The abundance of cash among buyers is also a factor, as many had been waiting for the right moment to make acquisitions. Despite this revival, many startups valued over $1 billion are still struggling to sell or go public. For these companies, the recent uptick in acquisitions could be crucial for their future.