News Coverage

Amid discussions surrounding the potential sale of TikTok, FE’s Director, Joe O’Brien weighs in. While tech giants like Apple, Microsoft and Google are suggested as potential buyers, O’Brien highlights antitrust concerns and proposes a consortium of private equity firms as a viable alternative. His insights shed light on the complexities of the situation and offer a pragmatic approach to navigating the sale process within the allotted time frame.

The acquisition aims to enhance Evalart’s offerings with new user experience and interface designs, innovative tools leveraging generative AI, and tailored solutions for mid-sized and larger customers. FE served as the sole sell-side advisor on the acquisition. FE’s Head of IB, Randal Stephenson, highlights the HR tech sector’s resilience and projected growth in 2030, and why HR tech is an attractive investment opportunity.

Reddit opened 48% above the IPO price, raising $748 million and creating a windfall for existing shareholders. However, Thomas Smale feels otherwise, raising concerns about Reddit’s lack of a profitable business model.

With the market valued at $100 billion, finding a buyer won’t be easy for TikTok. With rising antitrust concerns, tech giants like Google and Meta, who could afford this acquisition, are steering clear. However, FE’s CEO Thomas Smale thinks it’s a great opportunity to capitalize.

Chris Mayo, a corporate finance and capital markets veteran, has been appointed Chair of FE International’s Advisory Board, with the goal of strengthening the company’s position in the technology M&A landscape. With expertise in capital raising, liquidity, and exits, Chris Mayo, Head of Primary Markets, Americas at the LSEG, has executed 130+ transactions worth $100 billion, guiding numerous companies from the Americas onto London’s markets.

Since AI is quickly becoming a commodity, firms must prioritize strategic transformation over efficiency. Integrating AI into core processes and products and prioritizing proprietary knowledge over the AI tech stack are necessary for competitive differentiation. The key to success is getting people involved in operating AI systems and efficiently gathering domain knowledge. FE CEO, Thomas Smale weighs in on the big picture thinking.