The IT consulting market is changing rapidly. Private equity firms are building large platforms, AI is changing what clients pay for, and strategy consultants are entering the realm of IT implementation. Those who make the right choices now can capitalize on this shift.
Private equity firms are building platforms
In 2025, private equity was involved in more than a third of European IT deals, according to figures from Hogenhouck M&A (ICT Magazine). Major players are also emerging in the IT consulting sector:
- With support from IceLake Capital—including through OGD ICT Services—BBTG grew to more than 2,000 professionals (Consultancy.nl).
- In 2025, Broadpin brought together four Oracle specialists under a single global brand (PR Newswire).
- ICT Group has been growing under NPM Capital since 2021 through acquisitions byNPM Capital.
- Waterland may sell Xebia for at least one billion euros (ICT Magazine).
In the second quarter of 2026, nearly half of the Benelux tech deals were add-ons to an existing platform (MenA.nl). The buyer is increasingly often a platform specifically seeking to expand its portfolio, with proprietary IP, managed services, and deep platform or industry knowledge serving as key value drivers.
Low-Quality Temporary Staffing Under Pressure
On the other hand, generic staffing is coming under increasing pressure. Staffing work—such as testing, functional management, or standard development work—is precisely what AI accelerates first. Fewer hours per task means fewer billable hours. To take an example from another sector: in the legal field, the share of hourly billing is expected to drop from 72% to 44% within three years (Accountancy Vanmorgen). Labor shortages are keeping rates afloat for now, but for how long?
Strategy Consultants Are Moving into IT
Another example is the more general consulting firms, which are also shifting toward providing added value. McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are increasingly focusing on technical specialists rather than generalists (Bloomberg via Management Consulted). Through units such as QuantumBlack and BCG X, they are also building their own AI and data solutions. The line between strategy and IT is blurring.
AI is changing the playing field
In 2025, Capgemini acquired WNS for $3.3 billion to become a leader in AI-driven Intelligent Operations (Capgemini). In the third quarter of 2026, Strategy & Transformation grew by 18.6%, while the more traditional Applications & Technology segment grew by only 3.5% (Capgemini Q3 2026).
According to the Capgemini Research Institute, AI agents could generate $450 billion in value by 2028, but only 2% of organizations are deploying them at scale. Fewer than one in five have the necessary data infrastructure in place (Rise of agentic AI). That’s where the opportunity lies for IT consultants.
Seizing Opportunities
The market is becoming more selective, not smaller. For entrepreneurs in the IT services sector, there are three paths: joining a platform, consolidating on their own with an investor, or repositioning themselves toward a specialty ahead of a sale. Preparation is more important than timing in this regard.
Do any of these questions apply to you? Hogenhouck M&A assists IT entrepreneurs with sales, acquisitions, and attracting investors. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation about your options.
