AI startups accelerate mergers and acquisitions to expand quickly

Crunchbase data reveals that leading AI startups are increasingly using acquisitions to expand their offerings, enter new markets, and integrate specialized teams. OpenAI leads with 20 AI-related acquisitions, including 10 this year, while Anthropic and Legora each made five. The total number of AI startup acquisitions by venture-backed companies reached 195 through September 29, 2026, a 14% increase compared to all of 2025. Rama Sekhar of Menlo Ventures emphasized that speed is critical in AI, noting that acquiring teams or products is faster than building them from scratch. OpenAI’s acquisitions span healthcare data, developer tools, and security software, with notable deals including the $300 million purchase of Glass Imaging and the $1.65 billion acquisition of Anyscale. Legal tech startups like Legora and Harvey are also expanding through M&A, with Legora acquiring five companies this year, including Walter AI and Qura. Katie Burke of Harvey highlighted the focus on technical talent with deep legal tech experience, while TakeOff founder Aakash Thumaty noted that joining a larger platform offers a shortcut to scale despite rapid growth.