The AI Shift in SaaS: From Adoption to Cyber‑Ready Growth
April 21, 2026Join Forvis Mazars for an informative webinar that brings to life insights from our recently published report with PitchBook, exploring the key trends shaping the software as a service (SaaS) market and how cybersecurity and risk considerations are increasingly influencing growth, valuation, and exit readiness.
Our knowledgeable panel will share insights on performance, evolving exit dynamics, and the growing roles of artificial intelligence (AI), data protection, and cyber resilience in deal activity, based on our recent research and real‑world market experience. In addition, attendees will gain practical perspectives to help shape strategies in a market where security posture is a critical differentiator.
Key Takeaways: The AI Shift in SaaS
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the software as a service (SaaS) environment, leaders are navigating a market defined by rapid capital deployment, evolving exit pathways, and heightened cyber considerations. In The AI Shift in SaaS: From Adoption to Cyber-Ready Growth, practitioners from Forvis Mazars and industry participants explored how AI is influencing deal activity, operational priorities, and exit readiness for SaaS organizations across the middle market and beyond.
Below are critical points from the webinar to keep in mind for 2026.
- Capital concentration is accelerating, but opportunity remains. The latter half of 2025 reflected strong private equity (PE) and mergers/acquisitions (M&A) activity, with larger funds and bigger transactions increasingly concentrated at the top of the market. At the same time, middle‑market SaaS companies continue to attract interest, particularly those that can articulate a clear AI narrative aligned with their growth story.
- AI strategy is shifting from experimentation to operational discipline. Many organizations are moving beyond pilots toward scaled AI integration. Companies gaining traction are treating AI as part of day‑to‑day operations, with defined governance, performance tracking, and alignment to measurable business outcomes, rather than as isolated initiatives or siloed pilot projects.
- Exit readiness is becoming continuous. Rather than a one‑time event, exit readiness was framed as an ongoing posture. Consistent financial reporting, resilient cash flow, and transparent data practices were highlighted as factors that can support flexibility across acquisitions, secondary transactions, or public market considerations.
- Cybersecurity is a growing value driver and risk lens. As AI becomes more embedded in products and operations, cybersecurity is increasingly viewed as a gating issue in diligence. It is of the utmost importance to have governance, accountability, and visibility across AI‑enabled environments.
You can also view our on‑demand webinar archive here, offering additional insights for SaaS leaders evaluating how AI may shape growth, liquidity, and long‑term positioning. If you have any questions, please reach out to a professional at Forvis Mazars.
Realated Reading
Presenter(s)
Steven Frank, Ricardo Martinez, Dorothy Chan - Pitchbook