The origin: M&A expertise since 2001 

"In 2001, we founded Proventis as an industry-agnostic M&A advisory," recall atares' current Managing Partners, Jan Pörschmann and Rainer Wieser. "From the outset, our approach was: we understand business models, not just industries." 

Over two decades, this became one of the largest independent M&A boutiques in the DACH region, supporting clients across a wide range of sectors. Rainer Wieser and Jan Pörschmann primarily focused on transactions in the tech space, notably in the context of the Pro7-Sat1 Media Group—a foundation that would later become part of atares' DNA. 

The turbulent years: From dot-com to dot-gone 

"As I like to say: we've seen it all, from dot-com to dot-gone," Jan smiles. "The financial and economic crisis, the wave of digitization, increasingly global markets, multiple crises, and now the breakneck pace of AI development." These market turbulences were not only challenges but also teachers: "Every crisis taught us that business models must adapt or reinvent themselves—and so did our own M&A advisory." 

The key insight: Tech complexity demands new expertise 

Through the execution of numerous tech deals over many years, the founders recognized a fundamental market shift: "The risk profile of corporate acquisitions in the tech sector differs fundamentally from traditional industries." "We realized: the technology market is evolving at a speed that overwhelms classic M&A approaches," the founder duo emphasize. The global AI market, for example, is growing at a CAGR of 27.67% and will reach a volume of USD 826.73 billion by 2030. By 2035, an even more robust CAGR of 34.52% is projected, with a market volume of USD 7,391.77 billion. 

The paradigm shift: From investment banking to a triad of expertise 

This explosive market dynamic led to a radical realignment: "We recognized that it's no longer sufficient to have only investment bankers on a deal team," explain the founders. "In tech transactions – especially in AI-driven markets – you need a triad of investment banking expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and deep technological mastery." 

Traditional M&A advisory cannot keep pace with the speed of technological innovation. "Blockchain technology, AI applications, SaaS models – these are not superficial trends but fundamental business model revolutions that require specialized valuation approaches." 

"We speak tech because we live tech" 

Today, atares embodies this philosophy in full: "We speak tech because we live tech." As a specialized M&A advisory for tech-driven mid-cap companies, we consistently apply the digital value levers we identify for our clients to our own operations. "At atares, we have developed our own tool stack," the two founders note with pride. This digital infrastructure is more than marketing – it is the lived reality of a digital manufactory. 

Proof in practice: The FLEXICODE transaction in 3 months 

Pascal Kopp, who holds a degree in Business Informatics from University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe and joined atares in July, recounts his first encounter with this philosophy: "When Rainer and Jan shared the company presentation—especially a slide detailing atares' tool stack—during our initial conversations, I found it highly compelling given my background in Business Informatics. Still, I couldn't tell whether it was just marketing or something they actually put into practice. 

Confirmation came immediately: "The transaction of FLEXICODE to EOS, which kicked off at the same time I joined atares, showed me the reality. Leveraging various tools and AI saved significant time and created room for high-value client work, enabling a smooth transaction process in an astounding three months. That was my confirmation that atares is a true Digital Manufactory." 

The digital manufactory: A response to tech complexity and market speed 

The atares team unites M&A expertise with technological passion. "That creates trust and true collaboration at eye level," because we understand our clients' digital challenges from first-hand experience. As "the digital M&A manufactory for technology-driven mid-cap companies," we practice what we preach: intelligent automation that frees up time for real value creation. 

A statement on the future 

"The tech market is evolving at a pace that overwhelms traditional M&A advisory," analyzes Pascal Kopp, Head of Business Development at atares. "With an AI market set to exceed USD 800 billion by 2030, M&A advisors must live tech – not just talk about it." 

The message is clear: From Proventis Partners to atares – an evolution culminating in a digital M&A manufactory for tech companies, where our own tool stacks and use of AI prove that we don't just understand tech- we live it.