Welcome to the Akin Gump Global Private Equity/M&A Survey 2021: Opportunities Ahead.

The last 12 months have been hugely challenging for dealmakers around the world but, after an initial period of disruption following COVID-19 lockdowns, activity has rebounded and merger and acquisition (M&A) investors are looking forward to 2021 with renewed optimism.

Dealmaking has changed during the pandemic, but M&A participants have been resilient and flexible. Dealmakers have adapted to remote due diligence, identified the sectors that offered the most value upside through (and in some cases because of) the COVID-19 dislocation period and recognized the need to sell and acquire assets to reshape business models in a post-pandemic world.