The key problem for the fish getting acquired by the whale is usually leverage. With the largest whales increasingly using OSS rather than M&A ("buy" the OSS b

The key problem for the fish getting acquired by the whale is usually leverage. With the largest whales increasingly using OSS rather than M&A ("buy" the OSS by inserting senior engineers to in effect lead it), I fear there will be less demand, increasing the leverage imbalance. Any other macro factors which may help the small startup either live independently, gain M&A leverage, or forge more paths to IPO or other capital?