As a private equity deal QB, BluWave founder & CEO, Sean Mooney, faced challenges in the value creation process. He felt as though he was consistently getting generalist results from generalist providers. He also faced the pressure of knowing that one wrong move could follow him around for the rest of his career in private equity. After dealing with these challenges and working his way up to be a Partner at a PE firm, Sean decided to create the solution to the problems he always had by founding BluWave. The solution he envisioned gave deal QBs the exact provider they need at the exact time they need them. Providers who have a specialty in specific areas will be connected with the private equity deal QBs as soon as the need arises. This gives success with ease for private equity deal QBs who are lacking value creation with their service providers. That is exactly what BluWave has become today.
BluWave helps with value creation for deal QBs by providing them with:
ESG diligence needed for a consumer products target
A PE firm VP came to us with a critical need for a provider that could perform ESG diligence on a target they had in the consumer products industry. With their 60 days of exclusivity about to begin, the firm needed a provider that could assess the target within that timeframe. The target’s products were environmentally related, the PE firm had little to no experience performing ESG diligence, and they didn’t know what specifically to be concerned about in this industry, so the PE firm critically needed an ESG expert with industry experience to perform the diligence for them in order to spotlight potential areas of concern.
BluWave has exact-fit diligence provider with industry experience
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade ESG diligence needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of providers that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria and then presented the client with two select pre-vetted diligence providers from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm connected with two PE-grade providers and selected ideal choice
Less than 24 hours after the initial scoping call, the PE firm was presented with two PE-grade providers that had experience in the target’s specific niche of the consumer products industry. The client was introduced to their ideal choice and they were able to quickly engage them in order to perform ESG diligence within their timeframe and budget. The service provider was able to use their industry and area expertise in order to derive the necessary insights the PE firm needed to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
PE Firm needs commercial due diligence and GTM strategist for construction target
A PE firm managing director came to us with a critical need for a commercial due diligence and GTM strategy provider for a target they had in the construction industry. Since identifying this target, they were looking for a group that could quickly perform diligence to determine if the market was strong enough for investment, and then promptly post-close help them develop a GTM strategy. Close to obtaining exclusivity, the PE firm was looking to find a provider with experience in the construction materials space that could move quickly once exclusivity was gained and stay engaged to create value post-close.
BluWave identifies provider to meet exact needs
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade commercial due diligence and GTM needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of providers that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria and then connected the client with three select pre-vetted providers from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm engages with ideal provider to confidently move forward with investment
Less than 24 hours after the initial scoping call, the PE firm was introduced to three PE-grade providers that specialized in commercial due diligence and GTM strategy with experience in the construction materials industry. The client selected their ideal choice, and the PE firm was able to confidently engage this provider without wasting time or costs. They were able to leverage their insights to move forward with the investment and then utilize the same provider to quickly begin creating value in the new portco by developing a GTM strategy.
They have done a good job, been very responsive and given us valuable insights. I would give them good ratings on everything, would recommend them to others and I expect we will use them again in the future.
Firm needs operational diligence for target VMS manufacturing company
A PE firm principal came to us with a critical need for operational diligence on a target they had in the vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) manufacturing space. A week into the diligence process after signing an LOI, the firm needed someone to answer their question on how the target could increase throughput given their issues with on-time delivery, backlog, and capsulation of their powders. They urgently needed an ops diligence provider with experience in the VMS space that could identify areas for operational improvement during their 45 days of exclusivity on the target.
Using our extensive network, BluWave identifies top PE-grade providers
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade operational diligence needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of operational diligence independent consultants and boutique firms that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria and then introduced the client to two select pre-vetted operational diligence consulting groups from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm properly assesses target company using selected provider
Within 24 hours of the initial scoping call, the PE firm was introduced to two PE-grade ops diligence providers with extensive experience in the VMS space. The client selected their ideal choice. The PE firm was able to confidently engage the provider without wasting time or cost and ultimately identify ways for the target to improve their throughput. The firm was so pleased with the provider’s operational performance and improvement recommendations that they engaged them again post-close to implement them.
Firm critically needs senior advisor with software industry knowledge
A PE firm principal came to us with a critical need for a senior advisor that could provide them with industry insight on a target they had in the application security sector of the software industry. Before moving forward with an investment, the firm needed someone with technical industry expertise that could frame the competitive landscape for them, how the target was positioned against competitors, and apply this to the market opportunity. They urgently needed a mid-to higher level advisor with technical sector expertise that could answer their questions within 7 to 10 days.
BluWave quickly connects firm to advisor with industry expertise
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade senior advisor needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of senior advisors across an array of industries that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria and then connected the client with the select pre-vetted senior advisor from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm engages advisor to gain valuable industry insight
Within 24 hours of the initial scoping call, the PE firm was introduced to a select PE-grade senior advisor that had deep experience working in the application security industry and was now doing consulting in the space. The PE firm was able to confidently engage the advisor and gain the necessary industry insights they needed from someone with technical expertise in order to make an informed decision on whether or not to move forward with the investment.
IT diligence provider needed for healthcare portco
A PE firm vice president came to us with a critical need for an IT diligence provider for a target they had in the intellectual development disabilities area of the healthcare services industry. With an LOI on the target and a need to close the deal by year-end, the PE firm urgently needed an IT diligence provider that specifically understood this niche area of the healthcare industry to come in and identify IT needs, risks, and opportunities for the target within the next two weeks.
Using pre-vetted network, BluWave identifies exact-fit provider
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade IT diligence needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of IT diligence providers that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria and then connected the client with a select pre-vetted IT diligence provider from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm engages provider to make informed deal decision
Within 24 hours of the initial scoping call, the PE firm was introduced to a select PE-grade IT diligence provider with experience on similar projects in the behavioral health and rehabilitation space. The PE firm was able to confidently engage this provider without wasting time or cost and quickly gained the needed information about the target’s IT systems to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Every quarter we gather Vice Presidents in PE to discuss current industry topics and to offer these peers the chance to gather, share information, and decompress with one another. In our most recent event, we discussed many topics and have listed our top takeaways below.
These forums are invite-only and follow Chatham House Rules, so listed below are high-level takeaways only. Are you in private equity and interested in joining fellow PE VPs during our next PE VP Forum? Please contact us at events@bluwave.net.
Deal Yardstick
Firms areusing a mix of quantitative and qualitative scorecards to gauge the attractiveness of a deal. Our VP attendees discussed the value of scorecards, but that they also need to be used in a measured way that incorporates other important factors during diligence.
3 Things The VP Attendees Shared That They Thought Would Improve the Deal Evaluation Process Most
Calibrating the level of diligence with the impact of a deal – beware of analysis paralysis.
Let associates present deals during the Monday Morning Meeting for training and development purposes.
Find a way to streamline the NDA process which is time-consuming without apparent value add.
IOI/LOI
Different firms are deploying different approaches to get the highest expected value out of their efforts before LOI.
Portco CFOs
Develop a CFO playbook to help onboard CFOs more consistently and quickly. Collaborate with and nurture your CFOs, but hope is not a strategy if they are not working out.
We thoroughly enjoyed getting to gather with PE VPsto discuss these current industry hot topics. Here at BluWave, we are specialized to quickly connect you with the exact-fit, pre-vetted, PE-grade service providers you need exactly when you need them.
Never worked with us before? Check out our How To Vet BluWave video to learn more about us and how we can help. And if you have an immediate need, contact us here and we will be happy to help you right away.
Pricing consultant essential for value creation in portco
A PE firm vice president came to us with a critical need for a pricing expert that could help several of their portcos in the manufacturing industry. Facing pricing challenges such as trouble getting price increases from procurement groups and historical company cultures of not raising prices, the PE firm knew a pricing expert was critical in building value at these portcos. They were looking for a single-shingle pricing consultant or boutique pricing consulting firm with industry experience that could provide analytical support to the management teams as well as strategic planning.
BluWave has exact-fit provider with industry experience
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade pricing strategy needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of pricing consultants that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria, and then connected the client with select pre-vetted boutique pricing consulting firms from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm engages consultant to address pricing issues and more
Quickly after the initial scoping call, the PE firm was introduced to three PE-grade boutique consulting firms with extensive experience in manufacturing. The client selected their ideal choice quickly and was very pleased with the outcome the pricing consulting firm provided. The PE firm was able to use the consulting firm to not only address the pricing issues, but identify the root cause of the problem, and train the sales teams in all portcos on pricing strategies.
An investment principal at a PE fund came to us with a critical need for Voice of Customer research on a target they had an LOI on in the staffing and recruiting industry. Expecting to get full exclusivity on the target in the next two weeks, they were urgently seeking someone who would quickly be able to perform primary and secondary research on the staffing industry in order to gauge its scope, size, and key players. They were specifically looking for a firm that could go to staffing firms and potential new clients to gather the research, and then synthesize it into usable insights. We quickly worked to understand the key criteria of their need and then leveraged our data and human ingenuity to match them with two select pre-vetted VoC providers. The client selected their ideal choice and were able to gain the customer insights they needed without wasting time or cost.
Senior advisor vitally needed for healthcare services portco
A PE firm came to us with a critical need for a senior advisor for their healthcare services pharmacy company. Having recently acquired the company and already struggling with direct specialty contracts, they urgently needed someone to help on the payor side. They were looking for a local resource with expertise in pharmacy contracting that could guide them through the necessary certification and contracting process within 2 to 4 weeks.
BluWave identifies top senior advisor matching specific criteria
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade senior advisor needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of senior advisors that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria, and then connected the client with select pre-vetted healthcare services senior advisors from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that had the deep pharmacy and payor expertise they needed.
Engaging the ideal provider, the portco gained the help they needed
Quickly after the initial scoping call, the PE firm and portfolio company were introduced to two PE-grade senior advisors that specialized in healthcare services. The client selected their ideal choice. The PE firm was able to confidently drive an excellent outcome without wasting time or cost and the portfolio company was able to quickly gain the help they needed in order to get their specialty contracts in place.
An investment principal at a PE firm came to us with a critical need for Voice of Customer research on a target they had an LOI on in the staffing and recruiting industry. Expecting to get full exclusivity on the target in the next two weeks, they were urgently seeking someone who would quickly be able to perform primary and secondary research on the staffing industry in order to gauge its scope, size, and key players. They were specifically looking for a firm that could go to staffing firms and potential new clients to gather the research, and then synthesize it into usable insights.
BluWave identifies select providers to fit exact needs
Leveraging our founder’s 20 years in private equity, we have extensive frameworks for assessing PE-grade Voice of Customer needs. BluWave utilizes technology, data, and human ingenuity to pre-map, assess, monitor, and maintain deep pools of VoC providers that uniquely meet the private equity standard. We interviewed the PE firm to understand their specific key criteria and then connected the client with two select pre-vetted VoC providers from our invitation-only Intelligent Network that fit their exact needs.
Firm engages top VoC firm for essential insight on target
Within 48 hours of the initial scoping call, the PE firm was introduced to two VoC firms that exactly matched all of their key criteria. The client selected their ideal choice. The PE firm was able to gain the customer insights they needed by engaging with the selected VoC firm and were ultimately able to gauge the relationships and satisfaction level between the target company and their current clients without wasting time or cost.
A PE fund principal came to us with an immediate need for a strategy session facilitator for their software portfolio company. Having recently acquired the business, the fund wanted to quickly get the portco into strategy sessions so that they could start defining long-term goals. Needing structure for these sessions, they were looking for a facilitator that was a former executive or management consultant and had software industry experience. They immediately needed someone to remotely lead the session and help the portco form and prioritize goals. We promptly worked to understand the nuances of their need and then leveraged our data and human ingenuity to match them with two select strategy session facilitators. The client selected their ideal choice and was so pleased that they have continued to use this resource across their entire portfolio.
