M&A in 2026: What’s Powering Deals and Why Venue VDR Leads the Way

Industry leaders recently joined Nasdaq TradeTalks to share how organisations are adapting to a rapidly changing deal environment—what’s powering the next wave of M&A in 2026, the impact of regulation and tariffs, and the practical strategies companies are using to stay competitive. Jill Malandrino hosted an expert panel featuring:

• Keith Pinder, CEO of Landon Capital
• Mike Patrone, Partner, Technology & Life Sciences at Goodwin
• Francisco Morales Barron, Partner – M&A and Private Equity at Vinson & Elkins
• Daniel Friedman, Global Leader of Transactions & Integrations at BCG 

▶ Watch the full Nasdaq TradeTalks replay 

Key M&A Trends Shaping 2026

• Strategic Adaptation: Companies are adjusting deal structures to manage regulatory scrutiny, tariffs, and geopolitical uncertainty. 
• Sector Focus: Technology and life sciences dealmaking remain dominant, driven by innovation and digital transformation.
• Regulatory Impact: Compliance requirements are influencing timelines and due diligence processes.
• Integration & Value Creation: Post-merger integration and synergy realisation are critical for long-term success.
• Regionalisation: A shift toward regional deals to mitigate cross-border risks and complexity.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Advanced analytics and AI tools are increasingly used for target evaluation and integration planning.

Dealmaking in 2026 with DFIN Venue® VDR: What Sets Us Apart

From sell‑side due diligence to IPOs, fundraising and cross‑border M&A, DFIN Venue® Virtual Data Room (VDR) delivers the advanced features and insights today’s dealmakers need to execute deals quickly, securely and with confidence. Here are the key product enhancements in 2026 that set us apart from other virtual data room providers: 

Purpose‑built for Modern Dealmaking

• Workflows built-in to manage competitive sell‑side processes with confidence
• Coordinate cross-border and regional diligence across multiple bidders efficiently
• Accelerate timelines to close with clean execution
• Enhanced analytics to guide outreach and prioritise follow‑ups

DFIN Backs Your Deal with 24/7 Expert Support

• Dedicated project experts at every stage
• Training and onboarding for project teams and users
• Live Chat—immediate assistance whenever and wherever you need it

Venue® Checks Every Box for Your Deals

• Top‑tier, enterprise‑grade security
• Deal‑centric workflows and user experience
• Pricing transparency
• Global and industry‑specific compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, ISO/IEC 27001:2013)

Looking for a practical checklist on selecting the right VDR for M&A? Read more here: How to Choose the Right Virtual Data Room Provider 

Learn more about our new Venue Virtual Data Room, or speak with our capital markets specialists across APAC, EMEA, or North America to see how Venue can support your next M&A deal in 2026 and beyond.