META DESCRIPTION: Discover the week’s top tech business and industry moves in mergers and acquisitions, including Arista’s VeloCloud buy and ServiceNow’s $2.85B Moveworks deal, and their impact on the future.

Tech Business & Industry Moves: The Week’s Biggest Mergers & Acquisitions Shaping the Future

Introduction: When Giants Dance—Why This Week’s M&A Moves Matter

If you thought the summer heat was only outside, think again. The tech business world just turned up the temperature with a series of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that promise to reshape how companies connect, automate, and compete. From AI-powered workplace assistants to the backbone of tomorrow’s internet, this week’s deals aren’t just about big numbers—they’re about big shifts in how technology will touch our daily lives and work.

In the span of just seven days, we’ve seen networking titans double down on AI, enterprise software leaders snap up automation innovators, and the fiber that connects our digital world get a little thicker. These aren’t isolated moves; they’re part of a broader pattern where tech companies are racing to own the platforms and infrastructure that will define the next decade.

This week, we’ll break down the most significant M&A stories published between June 27 and July 4, 2025, and connect the dots to reveal the trends driving these high-stakes deals. You’ll learn why Arista’s acquisition of VeloCloud could change the way AI networks are built, how ServiceNow’s $2.85 billion bet on Moveworks signals a new era for workplace automation, and what these moves mean for everyone from IT pros to everyday users. Ready to see how the chessboard is shifting? Let’s dive in.

Arista Networks Acquires VeloCloud: Betting Big on AI Networking

When Arista Networks announced its acquisition of VeloCloud, Broadcom’s SD-WAN unit, on July 2, it wasn’t just another line in the endless scroll of tech M&A news—it was a strategic play that could redefine the future of AI-driven networking[1][3][5].

Key Details & Developments:

• Deal Announced: July 2, 2025
• Target: VeloCloud, Broadcom’s SD-WAN unit
• Estimated Value: Not officially disclosed; reports suggest less than $1 billion[1][3]
• Strategic Goal: Revamp Arista’s SD-WAN strategy for AI networking

Background & Significance:
Arista has long been a heavyweight in cloud networking, powering the data centers of giants like Microsoft and Facebook. But as AI workloads explode, the demands on networks are changing. Enter VeloCloud, a pioneer in software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), which helps companies manage complex, distributed networks with software smarts rather than just hardware muscle[1][3].

By bringing VeloCloud into the fold, Arista is positioning itself to offer end-to-end solutions for AI networking—think of it as upgrading from a well-paved highway to a smart, self-driving road system that can reroute traffic, optimize speeds, and anticipate jams before they happen[3].

Expert Perspectives:
Industry analysts see this as a move to “future-proof” Arista’s portfolio. As AI applications require ever-faster, more reliable connections between data centers, edge devices, and the cloud, SD-WAN becomes the glue that holds it all together. Arista executives highlight the combined value of unified campus and branch solutions, with no product overlap and a focus on simplifying operations for customers[1][3].

Real-World Implications:
For businesses, this could mean more resilient, efficient networks that can adapt on the fly—crucial for everything from real-time analytics to autonomous vehicles. For IT teams, it’s a promise of less manual configuration and more automation, freeing up time for innovation instead of firefighting[1][3].

ServiceNow Acquires Moveworks for $2.85 Billion: The AI Assistant Arms Race

If you’ve ever wished your company’s help desk could actually help, ServiceNow’s $2.85 billion acquisition of Moveworks, announced this week, might be the answer.

Key Details & Developments:

• Deal Value: $2.85 billion (cash and stock)
• Buyer: ServiceNow, leader in IT service management
• Target: Moveworks, AI-driven automation and workplace assistant platform
• Integration Focus: Unified search and self-service experience for employees

Background & Significance:
Moveworks has made a name for itself by using natural language understanding and machine learning to automate IT, HR, and administrative support. Its platform plugs into tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and ServiceNow itself, letting employees solve problems or get information with a simple chat.

By acquiring Moveworks, ServiceNow isn’t just adding another tool to its belt—it’s aiming to become the central nervous system for enterprise automation. The plan: integrate Moveworks’ advanced AI assistant and search technology to create a seamless, unified interface where employees can get support, complete tasks, and access information without bouncing between apps.

Expert Perspectives:
Analysts say this deal is about more than just efficiency—it’s about transforming the employee experience. “The future of work is conversational, contextual, and AI-driven,” says one industry watcher. By combining ServiceNow’s orchestration with Moveworks’ AI, the company hopes to deliver on that promise.

Real-World Implications:
For workers, this could mean less time hunting for answers and more time getting things done. For companies, it’s a step toward the holy grail of digital transformation: making technology invisible, intuitive, and truly helpful.

Analysis & Implications: The New Rules of Tech M&A

What do these deals have in common? They’re not just about scale—they’re about capability. In 2025, the most valuable tech companies aren’t just the biggest; they’re the ones that can integrate AI, automation, and connectivity into every layer of their business.

Broader Industry Trends:

• AI as Table Stakes: Whether it’s networking or workplace tools, AI is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation for future growth[2][4].
• Platform Consolidation: Companies are racing to own the “operating systems” of the enterprise, whether that’s the network (Arista) or the workflow (ServiceNow)[2][4].
• Automation Everywhere: The drive to automate everything from network management to employee support is accelerating, promising both efficiency and new challenges around trust and transparency[2][4].

Potential Future Impacts:

• For Consumers: Expect smarter, more responsive digital experiences—whether you’re streaming video, collaborating at work, or managing your smart home.
• For Businesses: The pressure to adopt AI-driven tools will only grow, making partnerships and integrations more critical than ever.
• For the Tech Landscape: The lines between hardware, software, and services are blurring, as companies seek to offer end-to-end solutions that lock in customers and fend off rivals.

Conclusion: The Shape of Things to Come

This week’s M&A moves aren’t just about who owns what—they’re about who shapes the future. As Arista and ServiceNow make bold bets on AI and automation, they’re setting the stage for a tech landscape where intelligence is built into every connection, every workflow, every interaction.

For readers, the message is clear: the tools and networks you rely on are evolving fast, and the companies behind them are racing to stay ahead. The next time you ask your digital assistant for help or stream a 4K video without a hiccup, remember—the future is being built, one deal at a time.

What will next week bring? In the world of tech business and industry moves, the only constant is change.

References

[1] Gately, E. (2025, July 2). Arista Networks Buys VeloCloud's SD-WAN Portfolio. Channel Futures. https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-acquisitions/arista-networks-buys-velocloud-sd-wan-portfolio

[2] PwC. (2025, June 24). Global M&A industry trends: 2025 mid-year outlook. PwC. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/deals/trends.html

[3] SDxCentral Staff. (2025, July 2). Arista buys VeloCloud from Broadcom. SDxCentral. https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/arista-buys-velocloud-from-broadcom/

[4] Slaughter and May. (2025, February 2). Tech M&A in 2025: A renewed focus on innovation and growth drives M&A opportunities. Slaughter and May. https://www.slaughterandmay.com/horizon-scanning-2025/digital-2025/tech-m-a-in-2025-a-renewed-focus-on-innovation-and-growth-drives-m-a-opportunities/

[5] Vellante, D. (2025, July 2). Arista acquires VeloCloud from Broadcom and Todd Nightingale joins as president, COO. SiliconANGLE. https://siliconangle.com/2025/07/01/arista-acquires-velocloud-broadcom-todd-nightingale-joins-president-coo/