If you’re a buyer in the language industry, 2026 may turn out to be one of the most strategic times to make a move. The conditions are aligning in ways that create real opportunity for those who are ready.
Here’s why this might be the right year to buy.
1. The Industry Is Restructuring Itself
2026 will continue the trend of consolidation and repositioning we’ve seen in the last few years. AI has accelerated the pace of change, forcing LSPs to rethink their service offering, pricing, and workflows.
Many small to mid-sized companies are feeling the pressure, not necessarily because they’re failing, but because they’re struggling to scale, invest, or adapt quickly enough.
This creates a market rich with companies that have solid client bases, experienced teams, and good reputations, but lack the resources or strategy to go further alone.
2. Market Context: Why 2026 Looks Attractive
When you’re thinking of buying an LSP, one of the biggest questions is “Is the market growing?” The answer is yes. It offers both opportunity and caution. Here are key data points that support why 2026 can be a good year to move.
According to Nimdzi, the global language services market reached approximately USD 71.7 billion in 2024, with a projected figure of around USD 75.7 billion in 2025. Another source, The Business Research Company, puts the market at USD 58.05 billion in 2024 and forecasts growth to USD 88.96 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 9.7%. A more conservative outlook from GlobeNewswire estimates USD 53.91 billion in 2024, growing to USD 72.18 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.98%.
A large base means many companies are in play. A growth trajectory -even if modest- means that acquiring a well‑positioned LSP can ride the tailwinds. The spread in forecasts (4.9% CAGR vs ~9.7% CAGR) suggests the market is not overheated. That translates into less competition and potentially better negotiation positions.
By service segment, translation still leads the market with around 46.2% share in 2024. Subtitling and captioning are growing faster at an estimated 6.1% CAGR through 2030.
Regionally, North America remains dominant, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing area.
The rise of machine translation, AI‑enabled workflows, remote interpreting, and multimedia localisation are reshaping how value is delivered.
If you buy a company that sits in a relatively static niche (traditional translation, no tech investment, no vertical specialisation), the growth upside may be limited. But if you acquire a company that is leading -or ready to lead- in high-growth sub-segments like e-learning localisation, streaming content, or AI-augmented services, you’re better positioned. Likewise, companies with exposure to fast-growing regions or languages carry additional upside.
The language services market remains highly fragmented. The top 100 providers capture only a portion of total market revenue, with more than 85% of the market held by smaller players. At the same time, consolidation is accelerating. Buyers are actively seeking scale, vertical expertise, and technology capacity. This increases both the number of available targets and the competitive pressure for high-quality ones.
If you’re early in the consolidation wave, you’ll likely face less bidding competition. But you need to be ready to assess not just financials, but also the target’s tech readiness, client mix, and strategic fit.
3. Sellers Are More Open and Prepared
The M&A conversation has matured. Five years ago, many LSP owners didn’t consider selling. Now, they’re coming to the table with clearer goals, better documentation, and realistic expectations.
This means buyers are not wasting time on speculative talks. They’re engaging with sellers who have clean financials, defined processes, and a good sense of what they want post-transaction.
4. Valuations Are Still Reasonable
Despite increased M&A activity, the market hasn’t overheated. Valuation multiples remain in a rational range, especially for companies under €10M in revenue.
You can still find good deals. Strategic acquisitions, especially in specific verticals, regions, or language pairs, can deliver strong value. And if you’re buying for integration, not speculation, you’re in a good position.
5. Synergies Are Easier to Capture
Many buyers today are looking for tuck-in acquisitions: companies that can be integrated into existing structures with minimal disruption. That’s increasingly possible thanks to better tools, better playbooks, and more M&A-savvy leadership teams.
The result? Faster integrations, lower risk, and earlier returns on investment.
6. Talent Is Part of the Deal
In 2026, as it’s always been, buying an LSP is not only about revenue or clients, but also – and foremost – about people.
With ongoing talent shortages across project management, engineering, and vendor management, an acquisition is one of the most effective ways to secure experienced professionals. Buyers who act now can access stable, well-trained teams that would take years to build from scratch.
7. Risk Can Be Managed
Yes, there are risks: integration, culture clash, overestimation of synergies. But with better due diligence, clearer documentation, and advisors who understand the language industry, those risks are no longer a reason to sit still.
The companies that succeed in M&A aren’t the ones that avoid risk. They are the ones who understand it, plan for it, and execute with focus.
Conclusion: A Window of Opportunity
2026 offers buyers a rare combination: motivated sellers, realistic valuations, and high strategic upside. For growth-oriented LSPs and regional players looking to scale or diversify, this is not the year to wait.
If you have the capital, the operational maturity, and the strategic clarity, 2026 is a very good year to buy.
