Utah dealmaking rebounds in 2025 as MWCN looks to 2026

By AI, Created 7:13 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – MountainWest Capital Network says Utah’s deal market matched 2021 levels in 2025, with 435 reported transactions and $17.2 billion in disclosed value. MWCN will detail the findings at its May 21 Deal Flow event and release a related podcast episode the same day.

Why it matters: - Utah’s capital markets finished 2025 with momentum after a shaky first half, pointing to a stronger deal environment in 2026. - The report shows the state’s transaction market remains deep enough to absorb volatility and still attract buyers, sponsors and investors. - The findings also signal a sector shift, with private equity attention broadening beyond technology into services, healthcare and infrastructure.

What happened: - MountainWest Capital Network announced the results of its annual Deal Flow Report on May 18, 2026. - MWCN will present the full findings at its Deal Flow event on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Salt Lake City. - The event is expected to draw Utah dealmakers, investors and entrepreneurs. - MWCN will also release a new Winners’ Circle Podcast episode on May 21 tied to the report.

The details: - Utah recorded 435 reported deals in 2025, with disclosed deal value of $17.2 billion. - Deal volume matched levels last seen in 2021, which was a record-setting year for the market. - The first half of 2025 was weighed down by international supply chain disruptions, tariff volatility and interest rate instability. - Deal activity accelerated in the second half as engagement letters increased and buyer meetings picked up. - M&A activity totaled about 249 transactions with roughly $11.74 billion in disclosed value. - The largest deals were concentrated in premium, institutional-grade businesses, including Edifecs, Eco Material Technologies, Bridge Investment Group, SILAC and Sizzling Platter. - For the first time on record, Utah County’s Lehi-Provo corridor reached a deal-volume level comparable to Salt Lake County. - Utah technology accounted for 39% of deal volume. - Notable transactions included Cotiviti’s acquisition of Edifecs at about $3 billion, Filevine at $400 million and Angel Studios’ SPAC at $1.6 billion. - Private equity activity shifted toward insurance, wealth management, dental services, food services, healthcare and infrastructure. - Rollup activity in blue-collar and consumer service industries expanded. - Limited partners pushed for capital returns, driving sponsors to bring assets to market faster and favor cash-yielding businesses. - Continuation vehicles moved from niche to mainstream in 2025. - Several Utah-connected continuation vehicles priced at 13 to 14 times, among the highest multiples in recent memory.

Between the lines: - The report suggests Utah’s deal market is becoming broader and less dependent on technology alone. - Strong activity in the Lehi-Provo corridor underscores Silicon Slopes’ growing role as a financing and acquisition center. - The private equity emphasis on DPI over IRR shows a market where investor exit pressure is shaping strategy. - Jason Roberts said a cautious first half gave way to real momentum by year-end, with the current pipeline pointing to an active 2026. - Terry Pratchett said comparable volume to 2021, with M&A and public equity both up, creates momentum heading into 2026.

What’s next: - MWCN will share the full report at its May 21 Deal Flow event. - The Winners’ Circle Podcast episode will feature Kady Reese of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Matt Bartholomew of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and Kevin Jessop of IMA Financial Group. - The podcast episode will be available at mwcn.org/podcast and on major podcast platforms. - The full 2025 Deal Flow Report is available at MWCN’s report page.

The bottom line: - Utah dealmaking rebounded hard in 2025, and MWCN expects that momentum to carry into 2026.