Software and Information Technology Mergers & Acquisitions Deals on the Rise in 2011, Top Technology Leaders Help Executives Prepare for New Activity

MIAMI and FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- South Florida's technology industry leaders expect software and information technology (IT) mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals to increase significantly in 2011 and are advising executives in advance of the new activity, according to a Jan. 27 panel discussion hosted by The South Florida Technology Alliance (SFTA) and the MIT Enterprise Forum of South Florida (MITEF).

Almost 100 guests representing a broad spectrum of companies within industries including technology, finance, law and marketing attended the event at the Marriott in Fort Lauderdale and met with panelists Andy Cohen, Senior Director of Strategic Development with Citrix Systems; Chris Riley, Vice President and General Manager of Americas Enterprise Storage with Hewlett Packard Company; Ken Bender, Founder and Managing Director, Software Equity Group (SEG), and Bob Fleming, Managing Director, Inlet Partners and Co-founder of  Prism Venture Partners. Panelists discussed critical factors in successful M&A transactions, strategies and tactics to develop relationships with M&A partners, and effective ways to identify potential deal targets.

"The program provided a forum that will support the growth of the business of technology in our region," SFTA President Albert Maggio said after moderating the panel discussion. "It also raised the awareness of the growth and success of South Florida's technology sector. Our participants learned more about software & IT industry M&A trends and forecasts.  The interactive program format and networking provided the panelists with insight into several local tech companies."

Key take-aways include:

• From the IT vendor perspective, 2011 will bring increased M&A activity in infrastructure and virtualization.
• SEG's 2011 annual report cites "software as a service" (SaaS) M&A activity growth indicators: 81% of respondents in SEG's 2011 survey said it is important or very important that the investment target be all or substantially SaaS/subscription-based, up from 51% in the 2010 survey.
• According to the venture capital perspective, most portfolio companies will exit via M&A's rather than initial public offerings (IPO's).

Added Fleming: "Pulling together a long-time VC, a west coast investment banker, and senior business development executives from top technology companies led to an enjoyable panel discussion. It also points out the exciting potential of the innovation going on in Florida."

Cohen echoed his words: "I enjoyed listening to the differences of approach between how a VC thinks and counsels his portfolio that 'small technology companies are bought not sold,' and how larger companies like HP focus on a repeatable sales model not just technology."

The event was sponsored by Carey Rodriguez Greenberg & Paul, LLP.

About the South Florida Technology Alliance

With more than 12 years of leadership as the region's most effective technology organization, the South Florida Technology Alliance (SFTA) promotes the growth, success and awareness of the South Florida technology community. Its member roster includes South Florida's leading high-tech, high-growth companies. Through events, networking, programs and education, the SFTA provides south Florida's technology-related companies, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, governments and related organizations with an active forum to grow the business of technology. For more information about the SFTA, visit www.SouthFloridaTech.org.

About the MIT Enterprise Forum of South Florida

The MIT Enterprise Forum of South Florida is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization established in 2003 to provide educational programs and services that promote and strengthen innovation at the intersection of business and technology. The organization is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, whose purpose is to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation around the world. The MIT Enterprise Forum of South Florida is actively creating a community of entrepreneurs, product and market innovators from local companies, business managers, investors and corporate leaders by bringing them together in a stimulating, interactive setting. It serves as a resource to help entrepreneurs and innovators address issues surrounding their company's development. For more information, visit www.mitforumfl.org.

About Carey Rodriguez Greenberg & Paul, LLP (CRGP)

CRGP is a boutique intellectual property and complex commercial litigation firm. We provide patent, copyright and trademark counseling and business litigation services. By providing these services, we help our clients create, protect, and leverage their intellectual property and human and financial capital which enhance the valuation of their enterprises. For more information, please visit www.crgplaw.com.

SOURCE South Florida Technology Alliance