Coverage over volume: Why
This article is adapted from FounderNest’s 2026 Scouting & Deal Sourcing Report, a deep dive into how corporate M&A, venture, and
Adam Womersley
February 3, 2026
Guide
The 2026 Scouting & Deal Sourcing Report
Discover how company and innovation scouting has changed over the years and how the top performing teams are building flawless scouting an deal sourcing strategies in 2026.
1,000+ innovation leaders have downloaded this guide
Discover how leading M&A and innovation teams find acquisition targets 6-9 months before competitors and why traditional deal sourcing methods are failing.
Global M&A reached $4.8 trillion in 2025, yet deal count increased only 5%. The winners aren't deploying more capital, they're discovering better targets faster.
While 88% of executives say startup collaboration is essential, most corporate teams still rely on outdated sourcing playbooks that miss 40-60% of the market.
The 2026 Scouting & Deal Sourcing Report reveals the fundamental shift from reactive, banker-led sourcing to continuous, signal-led discovery.
Based on analysis of 1,500+ dealmakers, emerging AI adoption trends, and proven strategies from Fortune 500 M&A teams, this comprehensive guide provides the frameworks you need to transform your sourcing and scouting processes in 2026 and beyond.
In this report, you'll discover:
• Why traditional sourcing fails and is costing companies millions
• Signal-led discovery frameworks that separate hype from noise
• How to build and execute global sourcing strategies
• How early discovery creates strategic optionality
• The analytics and benchmarking metrics that matter
• How leading teams use AI to scale discovery
Get the data-backed insights and practical frameworks to source better deals, faster before your competitors even know the targets exist.
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Deep Padh
Axis Max Life InsuranceDownload the report
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