Hunt Scanlon Ventures Releases 2026 Mid-Year M&A Report Highlighting AI Investment and Capability-Driven Dealmaking

GREENWICH, Conn., September 9, 2026 — Hunt Scanlon Ventures, a leading M&A advisory firm focused on the human capital markets, has released its 2026 Mid-Year M&A Report, examining how artificial intelligence, capability-driven acquisitions, talent strategy, and changing buyer priorities are reshaping investment across the global human capital sector.

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At the center of the report is Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ investment in millionways, a New York-headquartered behavioral intelligence company developing an AI layer for human-agent workforces through its proprietary Large Psychology Model, Thorsten-4. The platform is designed to interpret human signals, motivations, and behavioral patterns, with applications across AI governance, executive hiring, talent management, and enterprise environments.

“millionways is a trailblazer in this newly emerging space,” said Scott A. Scanlon, CEO and co-founder of Hunt Scanlon Ventures. “As investors, we see behavioral intelligence as a new layer of AI infrastructure, giving artificial intelligence a missing layer—the ability to interpret the human dynamics behind communication and decision-making.”

AI Moves Beyond Productivity

The report finds that the next phase of enterprise AI is beginning to move beyond workflow automation and productivity toward technologies capable of improving judgment and decision-making. For human capital organizations, that evolution has potentially significant implications for leadership assessment, succession planning, executive hiring, management diligence, and the emerging interaction between people and AI agents.

Hunt Scanlon’s analysis examines behavioral intelligence as an emerging category within enterprise AI and explores how millionways is applying its technology to convert human interactions into structured behavioral insight. Its proprietary scientific and data foundation includes more than a decade of psychological R&D, more than 25,000 hours of structured human interaction, and a dataset developed with more than 7,000 participants and 50-plus psychologists.

M&A Becomes More Capability-Driven

Beyond AI, the report points to a broader evolution in corporate M&A strategy. Companies are increasingly using acquisitions to secure specialized technology, leadership talent, intellectual capital, and operating capabilities that could otherwise require years to build organically.

EY-Parthenon projects U.S. deal volume for transactions exceeding $100 million will increase eight percent this year, with corporate M&A volume expected to rise 11 percent. Its research also finds that 65 percent of CEOs are pursuing acquisitions to accelerate access to technology, talent, and operating capabilities, while 46 percent expect to divest non-core assets and redirect capital toward higher-priority initiatives.

“Organizations are increasingly using acquisitions to accelerate access to capabilities that would otherwise take significant time and investment to build internally,” said Drew Seaman, Managing Director at Hunt Scanlon Ventures. “Technology, leadership talent, and operating expertise are becoming just as important as revenue synergies in evaluating potential transactions.”

Talent Moves to the Center of Value Creation

As transactions become increasingly capability-driven, Hunt Scanlon sees human capital playing a larger role in determining whether investment theses ultimately succeed. Leadership continuity, institutional knowledge, succession planning, organizational design, and retention are becoming increasingly important as more enterprise value resides in people and specialized expertise.

The report also examines what separates businesses that simply perform well from those positioned to command premium valuations. Leadership depth, recurring revenue, institutional client relationships, scalable operating infrastructure, and management strength can materially influence buyer confidence even when two businesses generate similar financial results.

“Enterprise value is increasingly determined by the quality of the business behind the financial statements,” said Mr. Scanlon. “Buyers are paying premiums for organizations that combine strong performance with scalable leadership, operational maturity, and sustainable growth. Preparing for an eventual transaction often begins years before a company enters the market.”

The report concludes with Hunt Scanlon Ventures’ six-step readiness roadmap for founders and leadership teams considering a future strategic acquisition, private equity investment, recapitalization, or succession event.

About Hunt Scanlon Ventures

Hunt Scanlon Ventures is a leading M&A advisory firm focused exclusively on the global human capital market. The firm represents both buy-side and sell-side clients across human capital verticals including executive search, culture and leadership consulting, interim and on-demand talent solutions, RPO, HR technology, and executive coaching.

Hunt Scanlon Ventures advises strategic acquirers and private equity sponsors on acquisition strategies while supporting founders and leadership teams seeking to exit, scale, or recapitalize. The firm also invests in top-tier talent platforms as a limited partner, often co-investing alongside venture capital managers in the sector.

Contact:
Drew Seaman
Managing Director
(602) 622-1392
[email protected]