Webmergers, Inc. (http://www.webmergers.com) and the451 (http://www.the451.com) have joined forces to create TechDealmaker (http://www.techdealmaker.com), a weekly e-mail "intelligence service aimed at technology M&A professionals" that tracks emerging trends and highlights market developments and business opportunities. The newsletter attempts to identify specific sectors likely to become "hot" in terms of merger and acquisition activity, who the likely buyers will be when that occurs, and which companies will be targeted.According to Tim Miller, president of Webmergers, TechDealmaker is designed to give its readers an edge against the competition, providing "insight into the technologies, products, and strategies involved in technology M&A. Better insight means more new business leads—and better-honed marketing pitches to those prospects."
TechDealmaker includes the following sections:
- Sector IQ—Examines what's really driving activity in a specific niche
- Who's Next?—Predicts the next M&A hot spots and projects specific deals likely to occur in those niches
- Acquirer IQ—An in-depth look at the business and product strategies of acquirers
- Deal IQ—Analysis of the product strategy behind the deal, including predictions about its chances for success and implications for other players in the field
- Data—Proprietary data and insight from the Webmergers M&A transaction database
- Guest Columns—Expert insight on technology M&A
Unlike financial transactions databases, such as Thomson's SDC Platinum and Mergerstat, TechDealmaker is less concerned with the "who" (the buyer, seller, investment firm handling the deal, and amount and structure of the deal) and more with why the merger makes sense (or not) and what's the next step for the new entity. In this respect, it functions more as a technology investment newsletter than a catalog of "done deals," or a conversation with your favorite technology investment analyst rather than a traditional "buy-sell" report.Even at the regular subscription price of $595 for 50 issues (charter subscriptions are $395), the service is a bargain compared to the cost of similar services from larger technology consulting firms. In addition, the first 100 subscribers who take advantage of the introductory charter subscriber option will become members of Early Adopters, TechDealmaker's professional networking club. This "virtual steering committee" will help guide TechDealmaker coverage, receive invitations to networking events, and get "first dibs" on submitting guest columns.
Webmergers
Webmergers.com is a "hub for buyers and sellers of technology properties." Its well-designed home page presents a series of headlines of stories about Internet M&A statistics, Internet acquisition strategies, and analysis of trends, with one-click to the full-text. Issued twice each year, the Internet Mergers & Acquisitions Report is a "200-plus-page analysis of data and trends of Internet-related M&A." Other reports available from Webmergers.com include Startup.com—The Sequel, a 12-page report on how 125 Internet companies are remaking themselves in search of post-shakeout success; Internet Asset Sales Report, a 75-page report on dot-com fire sales; Venture Capital Year in Review; and IPO Year in Review.
In addition to publishing, Webmergers.com functions as an intermediary in technology company acquisitions, putting "serious and qualified" buyers in touch with technology-focused "I-bankers and principals at thousands of individual companies."
the451
the451 is a U.K.-based analyst company that provides insight and commentary on the technology, communications, and media industries. Launched in 2000, the451's team of analysts produces timely news and daily analysis of emerging technologies (e.g., enterprise software, storage and systems, mobile, networks, and media). Their in-depth, custom, and targeted reports are designed to identify and analyze information technology trends. According to the Web site, "These reports provide a total roundup of developments, extensive profiles of both major and emerging players, and informed analysis of likely future developments. They provide both the background and the insight to allow vendors, end-users, and potential investors to make informed decisions about these emerging markets."
The Expertise Behind TechDealmaker
Both Webmergers and the451 are headed by journalists with significant expertise in technology and financial management. Martin McCarthy, CEO of the451.com, led IDD Enterprises from 1990 through its sale to Dow Jones & Co. in 1998. Paul Taylor, co-founder of the451, spent most of the '90s writing about the application of IT to business for the Financial Times. Steve Wallage, director of research services, has more than 13 years' experience in technology research for such firms as Gartner Group and IDC. Analysts located in London, New York, and San Francisco have experience with a variety of information and communications technologies: Web services and software platforms, networks and infrastructure, broadband and next-generation TV, mobile data and application integration, enterprise application software and services, semiconductors and hardware, and enterprise software and storage management.
Prior to establishing his own consulting firm (New Media Resources) in 1993, Tim Miller spent 6 years in strategic analysis and new media development at Ziff Communications Co. and Information Access Co. While at Ziff Communications, Miller assisted both the vice chairman and the president in acquisitions research, strategic planning, market research, and development of electronic publishing product plans. A former journalist, Miller has written more than 2 dozen articles about interactive media for such publications as The New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review, The Washington Post Magazine, Washington Monthly, Publisher's Weekly, Editor and Publisher, Popular Computing, Information World Review, and Information Today.
