When a private equity firm is evaluating an acquisition target, they perform thorough due diligence before making any decisions. One part of the due diligence process that tends to come later in the process is information technology (IT) due diligence. While important in any industry, this practice is particularly apropos for companies in the technology software industry. “For companies that have kept up, they can have a significant competitive advantage,” BluWave Head of Technology Houston...

Private equity firms face fierce competition for new deals. Even when the economy is strong, there could be dozens of groups vying for the same target. When the deal market is stagnant, though, it can seem impossible to find a viable acquisition, let alone have the winning bid. BluWave founder and CEO Sean Mooney encountered this challenge in his nearly 20 years in private equity. “As the competitive tension of supply and demand intersected in private equity with more and more capital under...

The private equity deal market has been slow in 2023. There are signs, however, that that could change soon. In fact, BluWave founder and CEO Sean Mooney believes PE is ready to “call a bottom” based on proprietary internal data. That means that firms must have their due diligence resources lined up ahead of the anticipated wave of deals this fall and beyond. Mooney was recently joined by BluWave Head of Technology Houston Slatton and Hidden Harbor CP Partner Andrew Joy to discuss the...

Healthcare is a hot sector for private equity firms looking to acquire new portfolio companies. Buy-side commercial due diligence on healthcare compliance is table stakes before any deal gets done. One expert service provider from our network says his firm has seen an influx of diligence requests in this industry since the beginning of 2022, and it hasn’t slowed down since. “There continues to be a lot of interest in the healthcare sector, whether it’s device manufacturers or contract...

Connecting with a service provider you can trust is like looking for a great dentist. Once you find “the one,” you wouldn’t put your teeth in anyone else’s hands. The same goes for your business. After a successful engagement with a trusted third party, you save a lot of time by contacting them directly the next time you have a need. There are reasons you have go-to service providers: they’re fast, reliable and they know your business. But if you love them so much, you’re probably not their...

What’s worse than not implementing artificial intelligence tools into your business? Implementing them without a plan. While it might feel like you’re falling further behind competitors every day you’re not adding AI to your tech stack, you’re better off waiting a little longer to get it right. Rushing out a half-baked product will only cause you more harm in the long run. Let’s dive in to some of the key precursor activities for implementing artificial intelligence into your business. Aligning...

Commercial due diligence is a make or break process in mergers and acquisitions. In buy-side due diligence, the focus is on the acquiring party, rather than the target company. This makes it distinct from sell-side due diligence, which is conducted by the organization that may be acquired. “It’s standard operating procedure for private equity firms if they’re buying a company,” says Scott Bellinger, Bluwave’s co-head of research and operations. “No matter how good a company is, if the market is...

At BluWave, we understand the challenges that proactive business leaders face in finding and engaging with top-tier service providers. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the BluWave Alpha Center, a cutting-edge portal designed to streamline your third-party sourcing, project management and data insights processes. This AI-driven platform empowers private equity firms, portfolio companies, and private and public businesses to stay ahead of the curve and be at the forefront of modern value...

In today’s interconnected business landscape, a company’s value and performance are largely influenced by its technological prowess. That’s why IT due diligence is an essential component of any business transaction. IT due diligence is a key aspect of mergers and acquisitions, focusing on a comprehensive review of a company’s IT infrastructure, software, data management and cybersecurity measures. READ MORE: What does your business need to implement AI tools? This assessment identifies...

Marketing due diligence is the thorough analysis and evaluation of a company’s marketing strategy, with the goal of identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. Conducting proper marketing due diligence can be the tipping point toward increased profits. Digital marketing due diligence, an integral component, focuses on the company’s online presence and digital strategy. Expert outside help that intimately knows your industry can streamline this process. Let’s talk about...

In an increasingly competitive private equity landscape, mastering commercial due diligence is integral to success. It offers a clear picture of potential investments, allowing firms to mitigate risks and assess value more accurately. Our latest In the Know video explores how specialized service providers can help enhance your commercial due diligence process. Partnering with a specialized provider offers comprehensive industry, customer and competitive analysis, extending beyond what a...

Every quarter our team analyzes the projects we work on with our 500+ PE firm clients to get a bird’s eye view of the market. We recently compiled our Q1 2023 findings into our BluWave Insights Report. You can request your copy and our client coverage team will be in touch. Key findings from Q1 ’23 include: Value creation activity is at an all-time high, matching Q1 2022. Human capital remains PE’s primary area of focus at 45% of all Q1 activity, also matching an all-time high. Technology...