2026 Investment Trends: AI to Space Race
Strategic Adaptations in the 2026 M&A Landscape
Experts in mergers and acquisitions discuss the primary drivers behind the upcoming wave of M&A deals in 2026. They examine how regulatory frameworks and tariff policies are influencing transactions, along with the ways companies are proactively adjusting their strategies to thrive in this dynamic setting.
Keith Pinder, serving as CEO of Landon Capital; Mike Patrone, a Partner specializing in Technology and Life Sciences at Goodwin; Francisco Morales Barron, Partner focused on M&A and Private Equity at Vinson & Elkins; and Daniel Friedman, Global Leader of Transactions and Integrations at BCG, all appeared with Jill Malandrino on Nasdaq TradeTalks. Together, they explored the forces propelling the next phase of M&A activity, the effects of government regulations and trade tariffs, and the innovative approaches businesses are employing to navigate these challenges effectively.
Challenges and Opportunities in Enterprise AI Implementation
Leaders from industry and academia delve into the current shortcomings in enterprise-level AI adoption and outline strategies for organizations to successfully integrate these technologies by 2026.
Matt Fitzpatrick, CEO of Invisible Technologies; Dr. David Brumley, Head of AI at Bugcrowd and Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University; and Professor Winston Ma, CFA Esq., Executive Director of the Global Public Investment Funds Forum (GPIFF) and Adjunct Professor at the NYU School of Law, joined Jill Malandrino on Nasdaq TradeTalks. The conversation highlighted persistent gaps in enterprise AI deployment and practical steps companies can take to overcome them and achieve operational success in the coming year.
The Critical Role of Transparent Climate Data
Industry executives emphasize why dependable and open climate data is essential for retailers, manufacturers, and everyday consumers in making informed decisions.
Tim Weiss, Co-Founder and CEO of Optera; Erin Hiatt, SVP of Retail Operations at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA); and Shanika Whitehurst, Associate Director of Product Sustainability, Research, and Testing at Consumer Reports, participated in a Nasdaq TradeTalks discussion hosted by Jill Malandrino. They underscored the vital need for accurate, transparent climate information to support sustainable practices across retail, manufacturing, and consumer sectors.
Alex Gunz, Fund Manager at Heptagon Capital
Reflecting on 2025 Market Trends
In your Future Trends Volume 11 report, several significant trends were highlighted that were expected to influence markets, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, warehouses, renewables, quantum computing, and others. How did these developments unfold throughout the year?
Alex Gunz explained that their investment strategy maintains a long-term, multi-thematic focus. These themes intersect and reinforce one another over time. Artificial intelligence continued to lead the investment discussions in 2025, but it was encouraging to observe investors embracing a wider array of interconnected areas. For instance, cybersecurity must stay a priority because AI equips both attackers and defenders with advanced capabilities. However, the challenge persists: adversaries only need one success, while defenders must vigilantly protect every entry point. Central to their data investment thesis is the principle that data lacks value without robust security measures. Furthermore, as AI drives greater data analysis and subsequent investments in data centers, reliable power sources become essential. Renewable energy, particularly solar, offers efficiency advantages in terms of cost and construction timelines compared to alternatives.
Unexpected Developments in 2025
Were there any emerging trends in 2025 that caught you by surprise?
Building on the energy discussion, Gunz noted satisfaction with the Trump administration’s acknowledgment of diverse energy needs, including solar, to fuel economic growth. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act surprisingly included supportive measures for solar development. Separately, advancements in quantum computing progressed faster than anticipated, with growing agreement that viable commercial applications might emerge before the end of the decade.
Selecting Key Themes for Future Trends Volume 12
Your Future Trends Volume 12 report examines essential themes for 2026 and beyond, such as the Space Race, cybersecurity, warehouses, geothermal energy, humanoid robots, and additional areas. What criteria guided your selection of these themes, and what are their anticipated long-term effects?
The selection process focuses on enduring themes poised for broad significance, independent of overall GDP expansion. Any governmental involvement is expected to provide tailwinds rather than obstacles. Cybersecurity and robotics enhance the AI ecosystem, geothermal energy supports stable baseload power, and space commercialization opens new opportunities in defense and data processing.
Transition from AI Agents to Embodied AI
You described 2025 as the year of the AI agent, with embodied or physical AI on the horizon. Which advancements in humanoid robots are you monitoring closely?
With shrinking workforces and rising elderly care demands, more robotic assistance is necessary. Current humanoid models represent the priciest and least efficient versions yet to come. As production scales, costs decline, and societal acceptance grows, applications will multiply. Expect increased real-world deployments starting in 2026.
Market Outlook Predictions
Do you have distinctive forecasts for market performance?
Gunz offered two key insights: First, prioritize diversification. While AI promises transformation, investors should scrutinize valuations and expectations. Opportunities abound in uncorrelated sectors like healthcare or tangible assets such as warehouses. Second, avoid underestimating long-term impacts; people often overestimate short-term changes but undervalue sustained evolution.
