Technology continues to stand out as one of the most attractive areas for private equity, combining growth, selectivity and the potential for outperformance. According to Ignazio Castiglioni, CEO and Co-Founder of HAT SGR, the strongest opportunities are not found in technology in the abstract, but in companies enabling the digital transformation of businesses.
HAT focuses in particular on digital enablers operating in areas such as cloud, cybersecurity, big data, IoT and artificial intelligence. In Italy, many of these businesses are small but highly specialised companies that combine technological innovation, engineering capabilities and sector-specific expertise.
Castiglioni also highlights the importance of data quality in the adoption of artificial intelligence. AI can significantly improve productivity, but its effectiveness depends on clear processes and structured, accessible information, which remain a challenge for many smaller companies.
In this increasingly selective market, HAT targets businesses with defensible technologies, proprietary data, high switching costs and strong integration into clients’ critical processes. Through HAT Technology Fund 5, the firm continues to invest primarily in Italy across digital enablers, industrial automation, robotics and digital payments.
