CEE Tech Exit: What Drives Premium Valuations in 2026 and Beyond?
The first event of the 2026 The ScaleupFest series brought together CEE tech founders, investors and M&A experts to explore what drives premium valuations in tech exits and how founders can prepare for successful strategic transactions.
The session explored how CEE tech founders can build stronger exit stories in a market where strategic buyers, private equity investors and software consolidators are becoming increasingly selective. Speakers shared perspectives on current tech M&A trends, investor appetite for 2026 and beyond, and the factors that can influence valuation, timing and deal attractiveness. Through first-hand transaction experiences and expert insights, the discussion highlighted the practical steps, challenges and lessons behind preparing for and navigating a successful tech deal.
Covered topics
- Current tech M&A trends and investor appetite for 2026 and beyond
- What global strategic buyers and CEE-focused private equity investors are currently looking for
- How market timing, company positioning and growth profile can influence expected valuations
- Software consolidators and vertical integrators as emerging exit routes for CEE tech founders
- First-hand founder lessons from recently closed tech transactions
- How to prepare for a tech deal, from early readiness to negotiation and signing
- The ups and downs of the transaction journey, including practical challenges founders should expect
- Legal, financial and M&A considerations behind successful tech exits
Agenda
Meet & greet
Arrival, informal networking and welcome drinks before the panel discussions.
17:30 - 18:10
Opening remarks
Opening the first event of the 2026 The ScaleupFest series with a brief introduction to the evening’s key themes: CEE tech exits, investor appetite, M&A market dynamics and the factors that can drive premium valuations in strategic transactions.
Lenard Horgos – Partner, Absolvo
18:10 - 18:20
M&A trends: What is the 2026+ outlook for tech exits in CEE?
Investor appetite, strategic buyers and emerging exit routes in the CEE technology market
Zsolt Mihaly – Partner, PortfoLion
Dr. David Ferenc – Attorney, Baker McKenzie
Lenard Horgos – Partner, Absolvo
This panel explored current tech M&A trends and the outlook for 2026 and beyond, based on market experience and one-on-one discussions with global strategic buyers and CEE-focused private equity investors. The discussion focused on what investors are currently looking for, how their appetite is evolving, and what this could mean for scaleup founders in terms of timing, positioning and expected valuations.
- Investor mood and appetite for 2026 and beyond
- What global strategic buyers and CEE-focused PE investors are looking for
- Key factors influencing valuation expectations in tech transactions
- Software consolidators and vertical integrators as emerging exit options
- How founders can position their companies for stronger strategic interest
18:20 - 19:05
Tech deals in practice: Founder lessons from recent transactions
First-hand founder experiences from recently closed tech deals
Mate Gulyas – CEO & Founder, Datapao
Daniel Kerenyi – CEO & Founder, SnapSoft
Akos Horvath – Co-founder, CTO & Vice President, IncQuery Labs
This session brought a practical founder perspective to the tech M&A journey, highlighting lessons learned from recently closed transactions and strategic deals. The speakers shared insights into how they prepared for their transactions, what challenges they faced along the way, and what moments, decisions and turning points shaped the outcome.
19:05 - 20:00
Netwokring
Open networking over drinks and finger food in a relaxed, founder-focused setting, giving participants the opportunity to continue the conversation with speakers, investors, M&A experts and fellow CEE tech founders.
20:00 - 22:00
Organized in partnership with:
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