HUGO PATRICK BOLGER
Ireland
1mo
Key Investment Themes for 2026 (pt.5) *Technology – Software* AI & Generative AI Integration - Generative AI and large language models (LLMs) are becoming core enablers across business software, from productivity tools to customer engagement and cybersecurity. Enterprises are investing heavily to integrate AI into workflows, automate content creation, code generation, and business intelligence. AI-first software platforms are creating stickier subscription models due to increasing reliance on proprietary AI features. In 2026, we will begin to see how these AI software tools can be effectively monetised and whether the adoption of AI tools can be widespread among SMEs rather than a circular investment among the largest players in the market. Cybersecurity & Zero Trust Platforms - Cyber threats are evolving rapidly with hybrid work, cloud adoption, and IoT expansion, as well as the risk AI incurs from a cybersecurity perspective. Demand is rising for next-generation security, including Zero Trust frameworks, extended detection & response, and AI-enabled threat intelligence. Governments and enterprises are mandating higher cybersecurity standards, creating predictable growth. Note my earlier post on the new NIS2 regulations in Europe coming into effect this year which impose deeper cybersecurity requirements on all connected devices. Cloud & Edge Computing Platforms - Enterprises are continuing to modernise IT infrastructure, with hybrid cloud and edge computing becoming strategic priorities. Low-latency and high-throughput processing needs are driving edge-first software applications for manufacturing, healthcare, fintech and more. Cloud-native platforms benefit from recurring sticky subscription revenue and ecosystem lock-in. Vertical SaaS & Industry-Specific Platforms - Companies are increasingly adopting software tailored to specific industries (e.g., healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, fintech). Vertical SaaS delivers deeper functionality, better compliance, and higher switching costs compared with horizontal solutions. Adoption is growing in regulated or complex sectors, where off-the-shelf software cannot meet specialised needs. This may be a strong trend as complex AI systems do not often meet the core, complex needs of a specific industry. By tailoring solutions to individual industries, there may be an opportunity to capture more market share relative to broader AI tools. Data Analytics - Businesses are collecting vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, and need tools to extract actionable insights. Observability and analytics platforms help monitor, predict and optimise IT, operations, and business outcomes in real time. AI integration into analytics is boosting decision-making efficiency and operational intelligence. *this is not investment advice, invest at your own risk*
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