Need: Due Diligence
Decoding Q3 Insights: Harnessing People Power and Growth Opportunities in an Improving Market
Andrew Greenberg, GVC | Evolution of the M&A Market: A Journey from Information Asymmetry to AI-Enhanced Efficiency
Strategic Buy-Side Search in Healthcare Services
Industry: Healthcare Services
Service Area: Commercial Due Diligence
Client Type: Lower-Middle Market Firm
Service Provider Type: Buy-Side Advisory Firm
The Need
Multi-Site Roll-Up Strategy in Healthcare Services
A lower-middle market private equity firm, with a successful history in executing multi-site roll-up strategies, sought to delve into the healthcare services sector. Their vision was clear: identify a healthcare practice that resonates with their investment thesis, marking the inception of a broader roll-up strategy. The ideal acquisition would be a multi-doctor practice in the Midwest, South or Southeast, boasting more than $5 million in annual net collections and an entry EBITDA above $2 million.
The Challenge
Precise Buy-Side Search
The challenge was twofold: identifying a healthcare practice that not only met the stringent financial criteria but also aligned with the firm’s strategic vision for a multi-site roll-up. The firm sought a partner who would reinvest back into the business, ensuring a synergy that would fuel the envisioned growth and expansion. The search required a nuanced understanding of the healthcare services sector, coupled with a strategic approach to identify practices that resonated with the firm’s investment thesis.
How BluWave Helped
Facilitating a Connection Tailored to Strategic Success
BluWave utilized its extensive network to connect the firm with a specialized buy-side advisory firm. This partnership was instrumental in navigating the complexities of the search, leveraging deep industry experience and a nuanced understanding of the private equity landscape. The advisory firm’s strategic approach and geographical insights were pivotal in identifying healthcare practices that aligned with the firm’s vision and investment thesis.
The Result
Poised for Transformative Growth
Through the connection facilitated by BluWave, the firm was empowered to execute a strategic buy-side search that resonated with their investment thesis. This partnership has set the stage for the identification of promising healthcare practices, ready to be woven into a transformative multi-site roll-up strategy that echoes the firm’s vision of growth and success in the healthcare services sector.
This was a good firm to work with. They were organized and professional. We would recommend them to other clients.
Partner at PE Firm
What Makes a Commercial Due Diligence Firm ‘Specialized’?
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 management, chasing the same supply of deals was causing pressure for me to say, ‘I can’t just be a market taker anymore,’” Mooney recently shared. “’The surplus is being skimmed. I have to see something that no one else can see.’”
Mooney since started the Business Builders’ Network to help other leaders solve this very problem. He recently spoke with Andrew Joy, partner at Hidden Harbor, about how PE firms use specialized commercial due diligence providers to cut through the noise and rise above competitors.
So how do the world’s top private equity firms distinguish themselves in this cutthroat environment? One way is through commercial due diligence.
What is Specialized Commercial Due Diligence?
Specialized commercial due diligence can only be performed by firms that have deep experience in the target’s specific industry and are ready to go well below the surface to provide exclusive insights.
At a high level, a commercial due diligence project usually involves looking at a company’s market size, its total addressable market, conducting a competitive analysis and performing a voice of customer study.
READ MORE: What is Commercial Due Diligence?
“The goal of commercial due diligence is to validate the story that the target’s telling or to identify the reality of the marketplace out there so they can make an informed decision,” according to Don Jenkins*, the founding partner at one of the specialized diligence firms in the BluWave network.
While the details of the process are much more nuanced, a world-class CDD firm will be able to get up to speed faster, give private equity firms a deeper understanding of the business and equip them with a significant competitive advantage over other PE firms that conduct more general due diligence.
Looking Beyond the Acquisition
When PE firms consider buying a business, they aren’t just thinking about its present-day value. They’re also evaluating what an exit will look like and how much value they can create long-term once the company is no longer in their hands.
That’s why it’s so important for them to thoroughly investigate every potential target. Mooney said that PE firms have moved beyond a “trust but verify” mindset and are looking even longer term than they may have been a decade ago.
“You’re not building for the next five [years] because if nothing else, if you’re going to sell to the next person, there’s got to be some cream left to build it,” Mooney said. “If you’re only thinking three to five years ahead, you’re playing a chess versus checkers game.”
Differentiated Data
“As information and data have become more commoditized and more accessible, it’s becoming harder and harder to really find areas where you have a competitive advantage,” Joy said. “We like to say, ‘What’s our angle on this target or deal?’”
Mooney noted that investment banks do a great job exposing as much value creation as possible within a company. But PE firms that don’t dig deeper are going to be working from the same perspective as everyone else.
READ MORE: Data Consolidation: Benefits, Challenges, Processes
“The undifferentiated commercial diligence firm is calling the expert networks to get the insights about the markets that they’re sharing,” Mooney said. “Odds are if one over the other is not using a specialized group that sees something that the expert networks don’t, everyone’s getting beta. They’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the sell-side study, which is calling two or three market network expert networks.”
Joy said that when PE firms use the same tools as everyone else, “that’s just the ante to get into the game.”
He added: “You really have to then figure out how this target or this opportunity fits within an angle that you can play. Whether that’s operationally, whether that’s commercially, so that you can justify to your committee why we think this asset is more valuable and we’re going to be the winning bid.”
Closing with Confidence
When commercial due diligence is done right, private equity firms can make acquisitions with confidence.
“By the time we close on a transaction, we have a really strong hypothesis around what are the value-creation levers that we are going to pull over our whole period to create outsized market returns,” Joy said. “And that’s informed by the commercial due diligence.”
When Hidden Harbor is deciding on a target, Joy said they like to ask where the company’s right to win is, and how they can get there.
“It’s amazing to see sometimes and that when you do a full cycle of investment from closing to selling and you look back and you say, ‘What were the three biggest value-creation drivers of our return?’ And you’re able to say, those were the three that we identified in diligence. That’s pretty powerful to have that amount of conviction and be right about that and being validated.”
BluWave has a close relationship with a deep bench of world-class, specialized commercial due diligence providers.
Each one has been vetted before joining the invite-only network and is re-vetted before they’re matched with private equity firms.
When you contact our research and operations team, they’ll connect you with a shortlist of service providers – with industry-relevant experience – in less than 24 hours.
Start your project today to get the differentiated insights that a specialized commercial due diligence provider can uncover.
*Privacy is important to us. While the source and company name have been changed, these are real quotations from a real service provider in the BluWave Business Builders’ Network.
A Wave of Deals is Coming: Commercial Due Diligence for When the Tide Rolls In
A Wave of Deals is Coming: Commercial Due Diligence Webinar
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 intricacies of commercial due diligence on a live webinar.
Here are some of the top takeaways from their conversation:
Understanding Target Markets
The panel touched on how commercial due diligence is pivotal in assessing market conditions.
“The definition of commercial due diligence in my mind is a synthesis of all factors, both historically and in the future that affect the growth and the competitiveness of the target in that particular model,” Joy said.
This “synthesis” involves myriad factors, from end-market demand drivers to regulatory inputs and global competition. The goal is to understand not just the immediate future but to project growth and trends 10-20 years ahead.
“Commercial due diligence is a term of art for a market study,” Mooney added. “It’s standard operating procedure by the best private equity investors in the world.”
READ MORE: What is Commercial Due Diligence?
The Role of Due Diligence in Bid Strategy
The competitive landscape of private equity demands a unique approach to bid strategies.
Mooney said private equity firms aim to see something unique in their investment targets that others don’t.
“One of the big trends is investment bankers are starting to put sell-side commercial due diligence studies in the data rooms,” Mooney said. “The incentive may be for private equity firms, ‘Oh, this is great, I can rely on the money that they’ve spent and I’ll just take their word for it.’ “But a newsflash is, if you’re buying the market study, you get to pick what it says so you can frame it.”
He added that that’s one of the reasons the private equity industry still uses its “own source of truth.”
Joy elaborated on other challenges PE firms are facing.
“I think as information and data has become more commoditized and more accessible, it’s becoming harder and harder to really find areas where you have a competitive advantage,” he said.
Finding that unique angle in a saturated market can make all the difference for a firm.
READ MORE: Buy-Side Commercial Due Diligence Strategies
Choosing the Right Commercial Due Diligence Provider
The choice of a due diligence provider can make or break a deal.
Mooney emphasized the importance of team experience and relevance.
“When you’re vetting your group, I’ll show exactly how we do it. It’s ‘What is your experience in the defined industry you’re exposing? Which projects have you worked on in this industry?’ When did they work on it? Who is the team that worked on it?”
In the end, he said, it comes down to ensuring that the diligence team has relevant experience with the target, the market and the industry.
“I think it’s really finding the right team that has the most relevant experience and just knows the market cold,” Joy added.
Mooney also warned against trying to pull an up-market firm down to your budget. Because of scarcity of resources, this could mean they don’t put their best team members on your project.
As the PE world braces for influx of new deals, having your diligence sources lined up ahead of time is key. To learn more about how to prepare, you can watch the webinar on demand.
If you would like to hear about the commercial due diligence resources in the Business Builders’ Network, contact our research and operations team to scope your need.
Panelist Bios:
- Sean Mooney, BluWave Founder and CEO
- Houston Slatton, BluWave Head of Technology
- Andrew Joy, Hidden Harbor CP Partner
Transforming Big Data into Actionable Insights for Legal Services
Industry: Professional Services
Service Area: Technology
Client Type: Portfolio Company – B2B Legal Services
Service Provider Type: Business Intelligence, Analytics and AI Firm
The Need
Efficient Analytics for Transaction Lode
A portfolio company in the B2B legal services sector reached out with a specific challenge. They had an Excel dataset with three tabs, each containing 1 million rows of transaction data. Their objective was to create cohort analyses and slice and dice this vast amount of information. Given Excel’s limitations, they needed a more robust solution.
The Challenge
Large Datasets and Tight Deadlines
The company, which offers online legal services to SMB customers, had recently accessed a large transaction database that was cumbersome to manage in Excel. They needed to make use of the new data trove for an upcoming project on a short timeframe. Their previous go-to firm, which used Tableau for data visualization, was unavailable for immediate assistance.
How BluWave Helped
The Right Big Data Connections, Fast
Understanding the urgency and the scale of the data challenge, BluWave tapped into its network to identify a boutique business intelligence, analytics and AI firm with the expertise to handle large datasets efficiently. The selected firm was lauded for its ability to work at “deal speed,” ensuring that projects were completed promptly without compromising on quality.
The Result
Seamless Integration, Insightful Analysis
With the expertise of the selected service provider, the portfolio company successfully integrated their vast transaction data into a more manageable and analyzable format. The firm not only set up the database for easy manipulation but also provided rigorous analysis, offering valuable insights that were highly appreciated by the company’s management team during diligence. The entire process, from initial setup to detailed analysis, was completed within the tight deadlines, ensuring the company was equipped for its key upcoming project deadline.
Their analysis was rigorous, and a company’s management team found their work to be insightful during diligence. They operate at deal speed and frequently work late at night and over weekends to ensure clients receive quality work product on time. I’d highly recommend their services.
-Vice President at PE Firm
Gabe Mesanza, Huron Capital | An Expert Perspective on Culture, Growth and Cash Flow in Private Equity
Revamping Market Positioning, Expanding with M&A
Service Area: Commercial Due Diligence
Client Type: Portfolio Company
Service Provider Type: Merger & Acquisition Strategy Firm
Industry: Generalist
The Need
Reinvigorating Market Strategy and Exploring M&A Opportunities
A portfolio company sought help improving its market positioning and evaluating strategic M&A prospects within the HR SaaS sector. With a strong tech-focused approach, the firm aimed to identify adjacent markets and solidify its foothold through targeted acquisitions.
The Challenge
Navigating Complex Market Dynamics
The challenge lay in revitalizing the company’s market strategy. The client required a comprehensive analysis of their current positioning and an exploration of potential adjacent markets. Additionally, the portco sought guidance on devising a strategic M&A roadmap that aligned with their growth objectives and unlocked synergies.
How BluWave Helped
Strategic Insight and M&A Roadmap
BluWave connected the client with an M&A strategy firm well-versed in the HR SaaS industry. This partnership offered the portfolio company strategic expertise to analyze their current positioning and identify gaps. The specialized firm crafted a tailored plan for expansion into adjacent segments, including evaluating potential M&A targets. Weekly interactions with the investment team ensured alignment and effective execution of the strategy.
The Result
Empowering Informed Decision-Making
Through this collaboration, the client gained in-depth insights into their current market standing and potential growth opportunities. The M&A strategy firm’s expertise assisted the client in devising a strategic roadmap for M&A, considering tuck-in acquisitions and larger-scale ventures. This collaborative approach enabled the firm to make informed decisions, enhance its market presence and strategically leverage its investment for maximum impact.
The service provider was knowledgeable about the sector. They provided concrete action items and feedback. They also responded to feedback on the initial draft report to provide a final project in-line with expectations.
-VP at Private Equity Firm
Healthcare Compliance: Due Diligence Checklist
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 manufacturers, and even services,” Don Jenkins* of M&A Healthcare Experts says. “Whether it’s tele-health-related services or just other technology platforms that can address healthcare service delivery.”
Here are some of the top trends and must-haves in healthcare due diligence.
Private Equity: Healthcare Sector
With so much money to spend on hand, Jenkins says that middle-market private equity is all over the map.
When he thinks about the last 50 projects they have done for private equity firms, he estimates they would span 20 different markets.
There are a couple, however, that have stood out since as we head deeper into an uncertain, if not turbulent economy. One of those is healthcare.
Firms want to dig deep to learn more about the devices and software systems being used in hospitals. Just as popular, though, are in-home services that allow people to receive diagnosis and treatment from the comfort of their home. This trend has become especially important since the onset of COVID.
Healthcare Due Diligence Process
“Essentially the goal of commercial due diligence is to validate the story that the target’s telling, or to identify the reality of the marketplace out there so that they can make an informed decision on their investment,” Jenkins says.
While the fundamentals of commercial due diligence are the same from one market to another, there are nuances to businesses based in hospitals, pharmacies and other related medical organizations.
Since these companies are creating or using products that affect people’s health, there’s increased risk, which means more scrutiny is needed.
“It can be a very different set of objectives, but if it’s a product, then there definitely will be regulatory issues involved,” Jenkins says.
Top Trends in Healthcare Due Diligence
Service providers in healthcare aren’t just trying to make better products and improve services, they also want to be more affordable.
“It’s still technology, but we’re not trying to design the greatest device, the greatest stent in the world, or the greatest cardiovascular diagnostic product ever made,” Jenkins says. “It’s really what sort of products and services can we develop that are going to not only get the job done, but do it in a more cost-effective manner so that it’s more affordable for the healthcare ecosystem.”
In particular, that ecosystem includes insurance providers and patients. The easier it is for them to engage with a health company’s products or services, the more successful the business will be.
“There are just a lot of moving parts in healthcare that make it an interesting space,” Jenkins adds.
BluWave co-head of research and operations Scott Bellinger most frequently fields calls related to these areas:
- Medical Devices: “Regulatory review on manufacturing processes to make sure they’re FDA compliant.”
- Operational Diligence: “Understand how you can manufacture those devices at a faster more efficient clip.”
- Ancillary Service Buildouts: “For example, if you’re ear, nose and throat, do they have an ambulatory services center?”
Jenkins isn’t the only one seeing an increased demand for commercial due diligence in healthcare. It continues to be one of the most important industries to our clients as well.
That’s why we spend so much time connecting with and evaluating due diligence service providers who know healthcare – and every other sector that touches private equity – inside-out, backward and forward.
Our research and operations team takes a hands-on, white-glove approach to every project they service, from the first scoping call until after the engagement is complete.
If you’re looking for proven, PE-grade service providers to conduct buy-side diligence on your healthcare acquisition, contact us today. We’ll provide two or three best-fit options for your exact situation and specific needs within a single business day. From there, we’ll hold the third-party resource accountable and make sure they’re meeting all your needs until the ink is dry.
*Privacy is important to us. While the source and company name have been changed, these are real quotations from a real service provider in the BluWave Business Builders’ Network.
What To Do When Your Service Provider is at Capacity
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 only client. Far from it.
So what happens when you reach out and they tell you they simply don’t have the capacity to take on more work on the timeline you need? Or worse yet, they give you their B-team.
We’re glad you asked.
There are a number of reasons service providers could suddenly be in high demand. A bounce-back from a recession. A surge in deal flow. A hot new trend of which everyone’s trying to stay ahead.
When this happens, BluWave is on standby with a deep bench of trusted, PE-grade third parties who can deliver the exceptional work you expect no matter what your industry.
In fact, we experienced this post-COVID recovery when the whole world got back to business at once and it seemed like there wasn’t enough help to go around. At that time, we heard from dozens of private equity firms that couldn’t book their preferred third-party resource.
We helped those firms by connecting them with industry-specific firms and consultants that understood their business’s most pressing needs.
Every service provider in the Business Builders’ Network has gone through a rigorous vetting process, giving us confidence in every match we make whether it’s a first-time engagement or a repeat relationship.
BluWave founder and CEO Sean Mooney has three tips for organizations when their usual service providers are at full capacity.
1) Use Alternatives
“If you’re go-to is sold out, don’t try to force them into giving you capacity. You’ll get the C team,” Mooney says. “There are plenty of other comparable PE-grade specialists that you should use.”
2) Use Substitutes
“There are other diligence and value creation products that go by a different name but still serve your need,” he adds. “For instance, if you can’t get a commercial due diligence group to meet your deadline, use a voice of the customer group to do a deep dive on your target’s customers.”
3) Use Independent Consultants
“There’s a select world of independents who spun out of name-brand shops and can give you the same product at a fraction of the cost,” Mooney says. “This cohort works well not only for commercial diligence, but also for operational and HR diligence as well as value creation.”
Mooney recognizes that trusting your most important work to new partners can be scary. With the right introduction, though, the risk can have a huge payoff.
“Using new groups can be nerve-racking,” he says, “but the BluWave network of PE-grade resources is on standby to meet your specific needs.”
Whether your go-to service providers are at full capacity, or you just don’t know who to turn to, give our research and operations team a call. They’ll connect you with a shortlist of exact-fit third parties within a single business day, and be by your side until the completion of the project.