Episode 113: 6 Risks of Using AI to Sell Your Software Company
The Tech M&A Podcast
AI can be a powerful tool in business, but it is not a substitute for expert guidance when selling a software or IT company. This video explains six key risks of relying too heavily on AI in tech M&A, including outdated valuation data, generic buyer outreach, incomplete buyer intelligence, and weak strategic positioning. Selling a technology company requires current market insight, buyer relationships, compelling storytelling, confidentiality, and professional deal strategy. Learn why AI should be used responsibly as an advantage in the M&A process — not as a shortcut for one of the...
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Episode 112: Tech M&A Market Research Report
The Tech M&A Podcast
July Tech M&A Report: Taking a look at the deal activity, emerging trends, and valuations across 29 subsectors in July of 2026.
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Episode 111: Tech M&A’s New Golden Era: Why Mega Deals, AI, and Private Equity Are Fueling Acquisitions
The Tech M&A Podcast
The tech M&A market may be entering a new golden era, driven by mega deals, AI disruption, massive tech balance sheets, and record levels of private equity capital. As technology moves faster and competition intensifies, the world’s largest buyers are increasingly using acquisitions to buy growth, innovation, market position, and strategic advantage. For tech CEOs, founders, and shareholders, this creates a powerful market opportunity. With more active buyers, more acquisition currency, and a wave of founders preparing for succession or exit, today’s environment may be one of the...
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Episode 110: Inside the Deal with Steve Wargalla
The Tech M&A Podcast
In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we sit down with Steve Wargalla, Managing Director of QSTRAT, a supply chain software company that provides quoting and sourcing solutions for manufacturing and distribution businesses. After acquiring QSTRAT in 2016 with a clear five-year exit strategy, Steve spent nearly eight years growing the company before successfully selling it through Corum. Steve reflects on how attending one of Corum's educational seminars first introduced him to the firm, why having a structured M&A process made all the difference compared to his previous company...
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Episode 109: 2026 - Why Deals Fail Now
The Tech M&A Podcast
In this special report, we examine the most common mistakes that derail transactions—from poor preparation and unrealistic expectations to the costly mistake of engaging only a single buyer.
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Episode 108: Tech M&A Mid-Year Market Research Report
The Tech M&A Podcast
Mid-Year Tech M&A Report: Taking a look at the deal activity, emerging trends, and valuations across 29 subsectors in the first half of 2026.
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Episode 107: Succession Crisis 2026: Strategies for Tech Founders
The Tech M&A Podcast
A global succession crisis is emerging as millions of business owners approach retirement without a clear succession plan. According to recent studies, a significant percentage of family businesses and SMEs across North America, Europe, and Asia face leadership and ownership transitions within the next decade, yet many remain unprepared. In this episode of CEO's Desk, Corum Group CEO Bruce Milne explores the growing succession challenge facing technology founders and CEOs. He discusses the risks of delaying succession planning, the realities of family succession, management buyouts,...
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Episode 106: Inside the Deal with Luis Landgrave
The Tech M&A Podcast
In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we chat with Luis Landgrave, co-founder of Algebraix, an edtech and fintech company serving private schools across Latin America, with a primary focus on Mexico. Over nearly two decades, Luis helped build Algebraix into a school management platform with an integrated fintech arm that processes tuition and payments on behalf of schools — momentum that ultimately led to a successful sale through Corum after years of inbound interest from investors and acquirers. Luis shares how a Corum seminar in Mexico City planted the seed nearly a decade before...
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Episode 105: Why Tech M&A Is Stronger Than the Headlines Suggest | CEO's Desk
The Tech M&A Podcast
Tariffs, rate concerns, geopolitical uncertainty — the headlines make it easy to wonder whether now is the right time to sell your software company. Corum Group CEO [Name] breaks down the actual data behind tech M&A valuations over the last decade, and the picture is more compelling than most CEOs realize. With the Dow at 50,000, stable multiples across all six tech sectors, and over $6 trillion in capital available for tech acquisitions, the fundamentals have never been stronger. If you're asking yourself whether to wait — this video is for you. Subscribe for weekly Tech...
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Episode 104: Inside the Deal with Heriberto Garcia
The Tech M&A Podcast
In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we chat with Heriberto Garcia, founder and former CEO of Vialterna Comunicaciones, a leading modern telecommunications firm serving all of Mexico. Over 15 years, Heriberto built Vialterna into a powerhouse of connectivity before navigating a successful exit to a search fund — a buyer type he initially never expected to consider. Heriberto shares how a Corum seminar he attended three decades ago planted the seed for his eventual exit, and how that knowledge stayed with him until the timing was right. He offers candid advice on the importance of...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, we sit down with Steve Wargalla, Managing Director of QSTRAT, a supply chain software company that provides quoting and sourcing solutions for manufacturing and distribution businesses. After acquiring QSTRAT in 2016 with a clear five-year exit strategy, Steve spent nearly eight years growing the company before successfully selling it through Corum.
Steve reflects on how attending one of Corum's educational seminars first introduced him to the firm, why having a structured M&A process made all the difference compared to his previous company sale, and the lessons he learned from planning an exit years in advance. He also shares practical advice for founders preparing to sell, emphasizing the importance of education, surrounding yourself with experienced advisors, and recognizing that building a successful company requires a very different skill set than selling one. Finally, Steve discusses life after the exit, from embracing new personal challenges to rediscovering interests outside of business.
Takeaways
- Plan your exit from the beginning: Steve acquired QSTRAT in 2016 with a long-term goal of selling the company, ultimately achieving that exit after nearly eight years.
- Education opens the door: Attending Corum's AI and M&A seminars provided valuable insight into the acquisition process long before the transaction began.
- Experience changes everything: Having previously sold a business, Steve saw firsthand how a structured, advisor-led process produced a far stronger outcome than navigating a sale alone.
- Structure builds confidence: Corum's disciplined, repeatable approach gave Steve confidence throughout the transaction and kept the process organized from start to finish.
- Founders shouldn't go it alone: Most software CEOs are experts at building companies—not selling them. Steve stresses the importance of learning the process and hiring experienced M&A advisors.
- The right team creates better outcomes: Drawing on the expertise of dozens of experienced dealmakers helped strengthen the company's positioning and presentation to buyers.
- Life after the sale brings new opportunities: With his consulting agreement ending, Steve looks forward to exploring new interests, spending more time on hobbies, and discovering what comes next beyond business.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: Steve Wargalla and QSTRAT
00:45 – QSTRAT: supply chain software for manufacturers and distributors
01:00 – Discovering Corum through AI and M&A seminars
01:28 – Planning an exit: the original five-year strategy
01:59 – Life after selling the business
02:29 – Comparing a first company sale with the Corum process
03:04 – Why Corum's structured approach stood out
03:42 – Advice for software CEOs preparing to sell
04:21 – Looking ahead after the consulting agreement
04:45 – Final thoughts on Corum's deal team and the value of experienced advisors