A Dozen Acquisition Targets for Big Tech Companies

A little over two years ago, I wrote a post suggesting several companies Apple, Google, and Microsoft might want to acquire. As I thought about that post this week, I planned to revisit it in a similar format but then decided to approach things from a different angle. So here is a list of businesses I think would make interesting acquisition targets for the major consumer tech companies, in several major categories.

Hardware

The most interesting acquisition targets in the hardware space are those that seem to have cracked a niche but are struggling to grow beyond it and would benefit from being part of a larger ecosystem. The two that come readily to mind are Fitbit and GoPro, both of which I identified around a year ago as one-trick pony consumer technology companies who would likely struggle to find long-term success as standalone businesses. Either would now make an interesting acquisition target for the right consumer tech acquirer but, of course, the big question is who. I’ve often felt the most obvious acquirer is one of the two big camera companies, Canon or Nikon. But I think there’s also potential for Samsung to jump in. The fit (no pun intended) for Fitbit is less obvious but again, Samsung or one of the other big multi-category consumer electronics vendors seems the most likely bet. Both Fitbit and GoPro have done well, to a point, but now seem to be at something of a crossroads.

Conversely, there are those companies that seem to have peaked and are now more clearly on a downward slope. Jawbone was one of the companies I mentioned in that earlier piece and it has seemed to struggle recently. It would likely be a bargain for an acquirer interested in the audio or fitness space (or both). A slightly more long-shot bet is Nintendo, which has occasionally been suggested as a target for Apple, and which has also been struggling quite a bit, though the recent success of Pokemon Go has raised hopes of a comeback. Apple might still be an interesting prospect, but either Microsoft or Sony or a content conglomerate might be able to do something interesting with all the technology and IP Nintendo still owns. We might add HTC to this list of hardware companies past their prime too. The Vive VR business would be an interesting asset even as much of the rest becomes attractive.

Apps and content

This is probably the broadest category here and there’s no shortage of potential acquisitions. The companies in this sector run the gamut from subscription content providers to one-off app makers and across a number of different domains. Netflix is a perennial subject of acquisition rumors but is now getting to a size where the number of potential acquirers is rapidly dwindling – I’ve suggested Apple as a potential acquirer in the past, at least somewhat seriously, but that remains a true long shot. Also in the content space is Spotify, which I mentioned in my piece two years ago as a potential acquisition for Google. It’s heading towards an IPO but the other possibility is an exit by acquisition and I’d say Google has to be the most likely candidate, though Microsoft is another intriguing possibility. The latter hasn’t been afraid to make productivity-centric acquisitions in the consumer market and has largely failed to create content businesses beyond gaming. This would be a big leap forward in that domain.

In the one-off app space are such diverse options as Pinterest (which I suggested as an acquisition target for Google two years ago); Musical.ly, which remains one of the most under-appreciated apps outside of its target demographic; and the Kik messaging app. Pinterest would still be an interesting addition for either Google or Amazon, as either an advertising or e-commerce bolt-on to their existing businesses. Amazon in particular has been willing to buy smaller businesses in adjacent spaces and continue run them independently under their own brands – Audible, GoodReads, IMDB, and Zappos are all existing examples and Pinterest could follow that model while benefitting from some integration behind the scenes. Musical.ly seems almost certain to be snapped up eventually by one of the big social networking or online advertising companies. And Kik is the rare example of an independent messaging app with a big user base.

Car technology

Samsung’s recent announcement of its intent to buy Harman International will likely create further interest among big technology companies in the automotive industry. Harman was a somewhat unique asset here, in that it combined significant market share with a relatively focused scope. It promises particularly good synergies with the rest of the Samsung business. BlackBerry, which acquired former Harman subsidiary QNX six years ago, makes for an intriguing prospect. The handset baggage is minimal at this point, now the company has finally made the hard decision to discontinue making its own devices, so it’s largely a software and services company. Microsoft would be an obvious buyer, though the QNX part would likely raise antitrust concerns given the two companies are the dominant players in car operating systems. An Apple-BlackBerry marriage has always seemed particularly unlikely but is perhaps less so now, while Google would make another interesting buyer. TomTom is another interesting car-related asset which remains independent even as much of its competition has become part of bigger businesses. Apple relies heavily on TomTom for mapping, though it’s building up its own assets in some markets. It would perhaps be the most likely buyer at this point, especially if it wants to get serious about self-driving cars.

Others

There are, of course, plenty of others I could list here, including some from the earlier piece and relative newcomers like Magic Leap. It’s striking that only one of the companies on my list from two years ago has actually changed hands while several remain interesting prospects for acquisition. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a higher percentage of the companies I’ve listed here end up being bought over the next two years.

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Jan Dawson

Jan Dawson is Founder and Chief Analyst at Jackdaw Research, a technology research and consulting firm focused on consumer technology. During his sixteen years as a technology analyst, Jan has covered everything from DSL to LTE, and from policy and regulation to smartphones and tablets. As such, he brings a unique perspective to the consumer technology space, pulling together insights on communications and content services, device hardware and software, and online services to provide big-picture market analysis and strategic advice to his clients. Jan has worked with many of the world’s largest operators, device and infrastructure vendors, online service providers and others to shape their strategies and help them understand the market. Prior to founding Jackdaw, Jan worked at Ovum for a number of years, most recently as Chief Telecoms Analyst, responsible for Ovum’s telecoms research agenda globally.

10 thoughts on “A Dozen Acquisition Targets for Big Tech Companies”

  1. The one that makes the most sense to me is Netflix.

    TV seems like it’s nearing a tipping point due to a variety of factors — cable subscriber decline, ratings decline, advertising decline, lax regulatory environment anticipated under Trump, TWI acquisition (pending approval), zero rating acceptance, etc. There’s a period of time in the transition where 3-5 brands can become the identity of the new streaming era, as CNN, ESPN, MTV were in the cable era. Netflix is clearly the lead horse.

    Disney makes more sense to me than Apple. Apple generally limits themselves to acquisitions of technology or people. Maybe Microsoft is 2nd most likely for a variety of reasons.

    They went unmentioned but I think Samsung and post-IPO Snap will drive a bunch of acquisitions over the next two years. Samsung, I anticipate them wanting to differentiate further from Android competitors (or Google entirely), with Viv and Harman already tipping their hand. Snap, it sounds like Evan Spiegel has big ambitions around photography. Could be a home for GoPro.

    1. Sure, Netflix is the lead streaming provider, but it has a 50 Billion dollar market cap. I am not sure it worth acquiring to anyone at this point. But I agree it would really need to be a content player like Disney, not a technology company. I don’t pay enough attention to the App companies placed in this same category (not sure they fit).

      I am not sure what Fitbit offers beyond name recognition. It’s products are regularly slammed by users for falling apart, and accuracy in tech reviews, their IP seems negligible. They don’t stand out in any good way, they have tons of respected competition at this point. Certainly not an Apple target. The Apple watch is a superior product and Apple has name recognition.

      I think GoPro still has more life left and better respect and stands out better in it’s segment.

      Nintendo: I really don’t see an Apple acquisition. Apple would probably just put Ninendo games on Apple devices and probably end future wacky Nintendo consoles.

      HTC? Sure some consolidation move with one of the smaller players. Vive is potentially a separate acquisition as HTC spun it into it’s own company. But I think Valve has most of the IP.

      Blackberry I think remains one of the more interesting possibilities listed. Probably the most IP for the lowest Market Cap. Samsung could potentially use them to add a layer of Android security, that seems to be lacking, strengthen its car business.

  2. Fitbit acquiring Pebble ads some value you to them.

    I still don’t see them surviving without a massive increase in quality.

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