Olidata Targets Italian M&A Deals to Build Scale, Chairman Says

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Olidata (OLI.MI), the Italian IT and cybersecurity group, is preparing to expand through mergers and acquisitions, with a potential deal likely before the end of the year, Chairman and main shareholder Cristiano Rufini told Reuters.

Rufini said the focus will remain on the Italian market, where small but innovative tech firms risk losing ground without consolidation. “In Italy, we have some very good, high-performing centres of excellence, but they are very small. If we don’t manage to build significant critical mass, some valuable technologies and solutions risk being lost,” he explained at the TEHA Forum in Cernobbio.

Since returning as chairman in April, Rufini has steered Olidata toward growth in digital healthcare and proprietary cybersecurity technologies. The company reported €96.7 million in revenue and €5.9 million in adjusted EBITDA last year.

Despite being relisted in 2023, Olidata’s share price has been volatile—currently around €2.8 with a €53 million market cap, well below its September 2023 peak of €8.65. Rufini attributed the swings to the stock’s structure, dominated by retail investors holding 32% of capital and the absence of institutional backers.

His goal: build a stronger governance framework, attract institutional investors, and position Olidata as a solid, growth-driven technology player in Italy’s digital economy.

Computershare Launches Investor Engagement Arm, Hires JPMorgan Veteran for North America

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Computershare announced Friday the launch of a new investor engagement business aimed at helping companies navigate increasingly complex shareholder relations and rising activist pressures.

The new unit will provide insights into who is buying or selling a company’s equity and debt, investor relations support, and strategic governance advice via its Georgeson Advisory arm. It will also integrate services from recent acquisitions CMi2i and ingage.

Key offerings include:

  • Detecting early signs of activist investors building stakes.

  • Aligning corporate strategy with shareholder expectations.

  • Advising management teams during crisis events such as proxy fights or takeover bids.

The global division will be led by Kirsten van Rooijen, while Aaron Bertinetti, a former JPMorgan Chase executive, has been appointed to head operations in North America. Bertinetti previously served as Managing Director of Investor Relations and Head of ESG at JPMorgan, and earlier led global research and corporate advisory at Glass Lewis, specializing in M&A and shareholder activism.

Analysts say demand for such services is surging as investors push boards for stronger performance, governance reforms, and even leadership changes. With its expanded capabilities, Computershare aims to position itself as a critical adviser for companies navigating the high-stakes world of shareholder engagement.

ASML to Become Top Shareholder in Mistral AI With $1.5B Investment

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ASML, the Dutch maker of cutting-edge chipmaking equipment, will become the top shareholder in French startup Mistral AI after leading its latest €1.7 billion (~$2B) Series C funding round, sources told Reuters. ASML is committing €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion), securing a board seat at Mistral in the process.

The funding values Mistral at €10 billion ($11.7 billion) pre-money, making it the most valuable AI company in Europe. The deal underscores Europe’s push for technological sovereignty, reducing reliance on U.S. and Chinese AI models.

Founded in 2023 by Arthur Mensch (ex-DeepMind) along with Timothée Lacroix and Guillaume Lample (ex-Meta), Mistral has quickly positioned itself as Europe’s AI champion, competing with giants like OpenAI and Google. It was last valued above $6 billion in 2023 and has backing from Nvidia.

ASML, the sole supplier of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines—vital for advanced chipmaking by firms like TSMC and Intel—could integrate Mistral’s AI-driven data analytics to improve its €180 million EUV systems. The partnership could bolster both firms: Mistral gains capital and industrial ties, while ASML sharpens its AI-enabled chipmaking capabilities.

The move highlights a rare strategic alignment of two European tech powerhouses. By tying together semiconductor infrastructure and AI model development, the partnership signals Europe’s intent to carve out a sovereign AI ecosystem in a field dominated by U.S. and Chinese players.