Which IT companies are most resilient to crises?
Introduction
Not all IT companies navigate crises in the same way. Some see their activity slow down abruptly, whilst others maintain their turnover or even continue to grow. The difference is not down to chance, but to the nature of their business model and the type of needs they address.
For an entrepreneur considering a takeover in the IT sector, understanding these differences is essential. Acquiring a resilient company means reducing risks and securing your investment over the long term. Conversely, betting on a fragile segment can turn an opportunity into a major difficulty.
This article identifies the most crisis-resistant IT company profiles: those that benefit from recurring revenues, structural demand or incompressible needs. It also highlights the segments to avoid during periods of uncertainty. The objective: to help you assess the resilience of a target before committing, based on concrete criteria and observable trends in the Swiss and European markets.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
The most resilient IT companies are based on recurring revenues (B2B SaaS), essential needs (IT support, maintenance) or structural issues (cybersecurity). These models are more resistant to crises than activities linked to one-off projects, non-essential innovation or discretionary budgets. Before a takeover, assessing the nature of revenues and the criticality of services enables you to measure the solidity of an IT company when facing economic shocks.
📚 Table of contents
B2B SaaS: recurring revenues and scalability
B2B SaaS companies are amongst the most resilient IT businesses when facing economic crises. Their strength lies in a recurring revenue model (MRR/ARR) that ensures financial predictability even during periods of uncertainty.
Unlike one-off projects, subscription-based software generates stable cash flows. Management tools, CRMs, invoicing or accounting solutions for Swiss SMEs maintain high retention rates: client companies cannot do without these critical tools.
Scalability is another major asset. Once the software is developed, adding new clients requires little additional investment, which enables high gross margins (often 70-85%).
Client base diversification also limits risks. A portfolio of 50 to 200 SME clients provides better protection than a handful of large contracts.
To explore attractiveness criteria further, consult our analysis on which Swiss SaaS attract the most buyers.
IT support and maintenance: the stable foundation
IT support and maintenance companies display remarkable stability, even during difficult periods. Their model is based on annual or multi-year contracts that guarantee predictable revenues.
Swiss SMEs need permanent IT support: helpdesk, server management, data backup, security updates. These services are not optional, which explains renewal rates often exceeding 90%.
Managed services and maintenance contracts constitute particularly attractive assets during a takeover. They offer immediate financial visibility and regular cash flow from the first month.
The low volatility of this segment makes it a safe haven. Client companies rarely reduce their basic IT budgets, as the consequences of a breakdown or security breach are too costly.
To properly assess these assets, consult our guide on how to evaluate maintenance contracts during a takeover.
Cybersecurity: growing structural demand
Cybersecurity presents a counter-cyclical profile: demand increases regardless of the economic context. Cyberattacks are multiplying, and legal obligations are strengthening (GDPR, Swiss DPA).
Swiss SMEs invest as a priority in protecting their data and systems, as the costs of a cyberattack (ransomware, data breach) far exceed prevention budgets.
Security audit services, continuous monitoring, employee training and compliance implementation generate recurring revenues. Contracts often include automatic renewal clauses.
This segment benefits from structural growth: cybersecurity investments increase by 10-15% per year in Switzerland, even during economic slowdowns.
Companies specialising in this field therefore display remarkable resilience and constitute particularly interesting takeover targets.
IT profiles to avoid during periods of uncertainty
Not all IT models present the same solidity when facing crises. Some profiles display increased vulnerability that should be identified.
Bespoke development companies, without a recurring component, depend on one-off projects. During periods of uncertainty, digital transformation budgets are the first to be frozen or reduced.
High client concentration constitutes a major risk. An IT company that generates 40% of its turnover with a single client is exposed to a sudden loss of revenue.
Cyclical sectors amplify volatility. An IT service provider specialising in physical retail or events suffers the full impact of its clients' activity declines.
Finally, hardware without associated services offers low margins and strong competition. Reselling computer equipment without added value (installation, maintenance, consulting) generates little recurrence and differentiation.
Discover the IT companies for sale on Leez to identify the most resilient models.
The most resilient IT companies share a common point: they address structural needs that persist, even during periods of uncertainty. B2B SaaS offers the predictability of recurring revenues and the ability to grow without multiplying costs. IT support and maintenance constitute a stable foundation, anchored in long-term contracts and solid client relationships. Cybersecurity, meanwhile, establishes itself as an unavoidable priority for all organisations, regardless of the economic context.
Conversely, models dependent on one-off projects, concentrated clients or obsolete technologies present increased risks during crises. The resilience of an IT company is measured above all by the recurrence of its revenues, the diversity of its client base and the relevance of its positioning.
Are you considering taking over an IT company? Explore the opportunities available on Leez and identify the models that match your growth strategy.
