AlixPartners, drawing on work with 300+ software companies, predicts AI disruption will force 30-40% YoY increase in mid-market SaaS M&A deal volume in 2026. AI-native companies with outcome-based metrics already command 5-6x valuation premiums and achieve 7-8 percentage points higher growth versus SaaS peers. The report declares 'the golden age of SaaS is over' and warns many mid-market software companies face 'imminent existential threat.'