E61: BREAKING: Accenture's Next M&A Imminent, Recharge x Skio for $105M & IREN x Mirantis for $625M

We've been saying one of the big strategics was going to move on a scaled independent agency. It's happening.Christian and Ayelet are back for Deal Review Friday with breaking news on an imminent Accenture acquisition, two lower middle market deals that tell you exactly what the current M&A environment looks like, and what all of this means for the scaled independents that were planning to go to market in 2027 or 2028.The dam is breaking. Here's what you need to know.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Cinco de Mayo, Salsify's Digital Shelf Summit, and puppies1:53 — 🚨 Breaking news: Accenture is imminently closing a ~$500M US agency acquisition2:27 — The backstory: E52's Clay analysis and Accenture's $3B AI deployment plan3:15 — What we know, what we're not saying yet, and why this is step two of a multi-step plan4:43 — Why this deal will push Tata and others to move faster5:30 — The forcing function effect: scaled independents planning 2027-28 exits may move sooner5:56 — Why bilateral deal making is rising and what Accenture's move does to auction dynamics6:45 — Deal #1: Recharge acquires Skio — $105M cash, 3.3x ARR, direct competitor consolidation8:08 — What this multiple tells you about SaaS M&A right now8:35 — The COO announced the price on X — and why that's hilarious9:17 — Shopify ecosystem turbulence and what it means for this deal10:14 — Capital efficiency: Skio raised $4-8M and sold for $105M11:05 — Deal #2: IREN acquires Mirantis — $625M all-stock, AI infrastructure play11:30 — What Mirantis actually does and why NVIDIA is at the center of this13:27 — The NVIDIA deal sequence: founding partner in March, $3.4B contract, $2.1B investment14:30 — Why the timing of these events tells the real M&A story15:44 — 27 years to a $625M exit — what the AI era does for legacy infrastructure companies16:04 — Wrap: ep 60 with Brenda Jacobsen dropped, Salsify content coming🔔 Live every Friday — subscribe so you don't miss the big announcement💬 Drop your guesses on the mystery buyer in the commentsConnect with Christian and AyeletAyelet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.