⚖️ M&A suffering from tariff uncertainty

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A Promising Start to 2025 M&A Now Faces New Headwinds

Tech M&A showed early signs of a rebound in Q1 2025 after a sluggish few years. Big-ticket acquisitions like CoreWeave’s $1.7B purchase of Weights & Biases and Google’s $32B deal for Wiz signaled a thawing market, with late-stage valuations recovering and optimism growing. However, the sudden announcement of sweeping tariffs by Donald Trump in April spooked public markets and derailed momentum. Public acquirers, who often rely on strong stock performance to finance acquisitions, are now hesitant to spend in a volatile environment—preferring stock buybacks or conserving cash to hedge against future uncertainty.

Apple's New Smart Display Confirms What This Startup Knew All Along

Apple has entered the smart home race with its new Smart Display, firing a $158B signal that connected homes are the future.

When Apple moves in, it doesn’t just join the market — it transforms it.

One company has been quietly preparing for this moment.

Their smart shade technology already works across every major platform, perfectly positioned to capture the wave of new consumers Apple will bring.

While others scramble to catch up, this startup is already shifting production from China to its new facility in the Philippines — built for speed and ready to meet surging demand as Apple’s marketing machine drives mass adoption.

With 200% year-over-year growth and distribution in over 120 Best Buy locations, this company isn’t just ready for Apple’s push — they’re set to thrive from it.

Shares in this tech company are open at just $1.90.

Apple’s move is accelerating the entire sector. Don’t miss this window.

Act Fast- Apple’s Halo effect is coming

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What This Means for Startups Considering Exits

For venture-backed startups hoping for M&A exits, the message is clear: the window is narrowing. Buyers are skittish, valuations are unpredictable, and “wait-and-see” is the prevailing mood. This puts pressure on startups with limited runway who were holding out for better terms—they may now need to accept down rounds or discounted exits. While some deals will still happen, they’re likely to be driven by necessity (e.g., cash-burn concerns) rather than opportunistic growth. Founders should stay flexible, manage expectations, and prepare for harder negotiations over price and structure.

Strategic Acquirers Still Have Appetite, But With Conditions

Well-capitalized private players—especially in AI—remain active, with firms like OpenAI reportedly acquiring smaller startups even amidst broader hesitation. But sellers need to be realistic: acquirers are more selective, timelines are longer, and uncertainty around tariffs and macroeconomics looms large. For startups, now is the time to shore up fundamentals, get clear on valuation narratives, and approach M&A not as a rescue plan, but as a calculated path that may require trade-offs. Founders should also consult legal and financial advisors early to stay agile in a market where conditions can change overnight.

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