Private Equity Consulting Services
The Independent Advisor Built for the Speed of Private Capital
WHY CHOOSE AVASANT FOR PRIVATE EQUITY CONSULTING?
Financial engineering alone no longer generates alpha. Today’s PE playbook demands operational transformation, technology modernization, and AI-powered value creation — executed with EBITDA urgency and measurable impact.
Avasant partners with private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the full investment lifecycle — from pre-deal intelligence and technology due diligence through post-acquisition value creation and exit readiness. We combine deep consulting expertise, proprietary benchmarking data, and an independent advisory model to deliver results that move multiples.
HOW WE HELP
We partner with PE firms and their portfolio companies to create measurable value at every stage of the investment lifecycle.
Pre-Deal Intelligence & Screening
Before capital is deployed, we help PE firms develop conviction.
Market & Sector Intelligence
Proprietary research, market sizing, and target screening powered by our RadarView™ platform, providing investable insights across industries and geographies
Rapid Target Screening
Rapid evaluation of a target's corporate posture to surface deal-critical risks early
Due Diligence
We help PE firms determine a target’s full potential — and build conviction to close the right deals.
IT Due Diligence Our structured framework assesses the target’s entire IT landscape across several dimensions: Strategy, Financials, Applications & Platforms, Infrastructure, People, Processes, Security, and Vendors. We deliver:
Red Flag Assessment
Rapid identification of inherent and separation risks across applications, infrastructure, and security — evaluating People & Process, Technology, Ownership, and Transition Complexity & Day 1 Readiness
Standalone & Stand-Up Cost Estimation
Bottom-up cost modeling validated against Avasant's proprietary benchmarks, covering implementation effort, hardware procurement, licensing, PMO, and dual-run costs
Standalone & Stand-Up Cost Estimation
Bottom-up cost modeling validated against Avasant's proprietary benchmarks, covering implementation effort, hardware procurement, licensing, PMO, and dual-run costs
Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation across endpoint security, network security, identity & access management, data protection, SecOps, and GRC
Technology Platform Due Diligence
For software and platform acquisitions, we assess technology stack, architecture scalability, data security, integration complexity, team capabilities, and product roadmap alignment.
Cyber Risk Management Evaluation
Our six-pillar framework evaluates Responsible AI & Ethics, Regulatory Compliance, AI Security & Data Privacy, AI Lifecycle Management, Performance & Reliability, and Governance & Auditability.
Value Creation
Post-acquisition, we drive rapid, measurable EBITDA improvement across IT and business process domains. Our value creation approach operates across four integrated tracks:
Track 1: IT Spend Benchmarking & Cost Optimization
We develop a rigorous IT and Business Process Spend Baselines aligned to industry-standard service areas and cost categories, then benchmark against relevant peers using our proprietary AvaMark™, Computer Economics™ and Business Economics™ platforms. The result: a clear view of savings potential by service area, validated against real transaction data — not surveys.
Track 2: Sourcing Strategy & Vendor Consolidation
We assess the current vendor landscape, develop financial models, conduct scenario analysis, and build a phased vendor consolidation roadmap. Our scenario-based approach delivers multiple paths to value — from internal optimization through managed services adoption.
Track 3: Functional Maturity Assessment
Our proprietary assessment gives PE firms a fact-based, comparable view of operational maturity across the entire portfolio — covering HR, IT, Finance & Accounting, Procurement, AI, Security, and Marketing. Assessed across five dimensions (Process Discipline, Technology & Automation, Reporting & Insights, Measurements & Outcomes, Risk & Controls) and five maturity levels (Foundational through Leading), the output includes portfolio dashboards, company-level heatmaps, gap analysis, and prioritized action plans — powered by 325+ benchmarking metrics across multiple functions.
Track 4: AI Strategy & Enablement
We assess AI readiness across six dimensions — Strategy & Leadership, Use-Case Prioritization, Data & Infrastructure, Talent & Culture, Governance & Risk, and Adoption & Scaling — with a built-in maturity model (L1–L5) and evidence-based stage gates. From quick-win operational AI (support deflection, coding AI, finance automation) to enterprise-wide transformation, we design and execute AI roadmaps that translate directly to EBITDA impact of portfolio companies.
AI Value Creation for Software Portfolio Companies
For PE-owned software firms, AI is no longer simply an efficiency tool — it is a distinct, scalable value lever that can materially reshape EBITDA trajectories and strengthen exit narratives.
Our Six-Lever AI Value Creation Framework is purpose-built for software PortCos with the scale, data, and runway to unlock compounding value before exit:
| Lever | What It Drives | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AI Product Embedding & Monetization | AI-native pricing tiers, in-product copilots, usage-based monetization | +5–15% ARR uplift; 20–40% pricing premium |
| Internal Ops & Margin Expansion | Support deflection, dev productivity, finance automation | 5–10 pt EBITDA gain in 3–9 months |
| GTM & Revenue Acceleration | AI lead scoring, dynamic pricing, churn prediction | +5–15% revenue uplift |
| AI-Enabled M&A & Buy-and-Build | Bolt-on acquisitions to reposition as AI-native | Valuation multiple expansion |
| Data Moat & Proprietary Models | Fine-tuned vertical AI, proprietary datasets, feedback flywheels | +15–20% exit multiple premium |
| AI Narrative for Exit Positioning | Quantified AI proof points for buyers 18–24 months ahead of exit | 1–3x multiple expansion |
Exit Readiness & Post-Exit Support
Value is realized at exit. We ensure the technology and operational story is clean, compelling, and defensible:
Exit Readiness Assessment
IT, digital, and cyber readiness evaluation to surface and remediate risks ahead of sale
TSA Exit Strategy & Execution
Designing and executing Transition Service Agreements for clean separation
Exit Narrative Construction
Building quantified before/after proof points for every value creation initiative
Sell-Side DD Coordination
Supporting vendor due diligence, buyer Q&A, and data room preparation
Post-Exit Optimization
Ongoing IT & BPO cost optimization and vendor governance for continued value protection
HOW WE HELP
We partner with PE firms and their portfolio companies to create measurable value at every stage of the investment lifecycle.
Pre-Deal Intelligence & Screening
Before capital is deployed, we help PE firms develop conviction.
Market & Sector Intelligence
Proprietary research, market sizing, and target screening powered by our RadarView™ platform, providing investable insights across industries and geographies
Rapid Target Screening
Rapid evaluation of a target's corporate posture to surface deal-critical risks early
Due Diligence
We help PE firms determine a target’s full potential — and build conviction to close the right deals.
IT Due Diligence Our structured framework assesses the target’s entire IT landscape across several dimensions: Strategy, Financials, Applications & Platforms, Infrastructure, People, Processes, Security, and Vendors. We deliver:
Red Flag Assessment
Rapid identification of inherent and separation risks across applications, infrastructure, and security — evaluating People & Process, Technology, Ownership, and Transition Complexity & Day 1 Readiness
Standalone & Stand-Up Cost Estimation
Bottom-up cost modeling validated against Avasant's proprietary benchmarks, covering implementation effort, hardware procurement, licensing, PMO, and dual-run costs
Standalone & Stand-Up Cost Estimation
Bottom-up cost modeling validated against Avasant's proprietary benchmarks, covering implementation effort, hardware procurement, licensing, PMO, and dual-run costs
Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation across endpoint security, network security, identity & access management, data protection, SecOps, and GRC
Technology Platform Due Diligence
For software and platform acquisitions, we assess technology stack, architecture scalability, data security, integration complexity, team capabilities, and product roadmap alignment.
Cyber Risk Management Evaluation
Our six-pillar framework evaluates Responsible AI & Ethics, Regulatory Compliance, AI Security & Data Privacy, AI Lifecycle Management, Performance & Reliability, and Governance & Auditability.
Value Creation
Post-acquisition, we drive rapid, measurable EBITDA improvement across IT and business process domains. Our value creation approach operates across four integrated tracks:
Track 1: IT Spend Benchmarking & Cost Optimization
We develop a rigorous IT and Business Process Spend Baselines aligned to industry-standard service areas and cost categories, then benchmark against relevant peers using our proprietary AvaMark™, Computer Economics™ and Business Economics™ platforms. The result: a clear view of savings potential by service area, validated against real transaction data — not surveys.
Track 2: Sourcing Strategy & Vendor Consolidation
We assess the current vendor landscape, develop financial models, conduct scenario analysis, and build a phased vendor consolidation roadmap. Our scenario-based approach delivers multiple paths to value — from internal optimization through managed services adoption.
Track 3: Functional Maturity Assessment
Our proprietary assessment gives PE firms a fact-based, comparable view of operational maturity across the entire portfolio — covering HR, IT, Finance & Accounting, Procurement, AI, Security, and Marketing. Assessed across five dimensions (Process Discipline, Technology & Automation, Reporting & Insights, Measurements & Outcomes, Risk & Controls) and five maturity levels (Foundational through Leading), the output includes portfolio dashboards, company-level heatmaps, gap analysis, and prioritized action plans — powered by 325+ benchmarking metrics across multiple functions.
Track 4: AI Strategy & Enablement
We assess AI readiness across six dimensions — Strategy & Leadership, Use-Case Prioritization, Data & Infrastructure, Talent & Culture, Governance & Risk, and Adoption & Scaling — with a built-in maturity model (L1–L5) and evidence-based stage gates. From quick-win operational AI (support deflection, coding AI, finance automation) to enterprise-wide transformation, we design and execute AI roadmaps that translate directly to EBITDA impact of portfolio companies.
AI Value Creation for Software Portfolio Companies
For PE-owned software firms, AI is no longer simply an efficiency tool — it is a distinct, scalable value lever that can materially reshape EBITDA trajectories and strengthen exit narratives.
Our Six-Lever AI Value Creation Framework is purpose-built for software PortCos with the scale, data, and runway to unlock compounding value before exit:
| Lever | What It Drives | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AI Product Embedding & Monetization | AI-native pricing tiers, in-product copilots, usage-based monetization | +5–15% ARR uplift; 20–40% pricing premium |
| Internal Ops & Margin Expansion | Support deflection, dev productivity, finance automation | 5–10 pt EBITDA gain in 3–9 months |
| GTM & Revenue Acceleration | AI lead scoring, dynamic pricing, churn prediction | +5–15% revenue uplift |
| AI-Enabled M&A & Buy-and-Build | Bolt-on acquisitions to reposition as AI-native | Valuation multiple expansion |
| Data Moat & Proprietary Models | Fine-tuned vertical AI, proprietary datasets, feedback flywheels | +15–20% exit multiple premium |
| AI Narrative for Exit Positioning | Quantified AI proof points for buyers 18–24 months ahead of exit | 1–3x multiple expansion |
Exit Readiness & Post-Exit Support
Value is realized at exit. We ensure the technology and operational story is clean, compelling, and defensible:
Exit Readiness Assessment
IT, digital, and cyber readiness evaluation to surface and remediate risks ahead of sale
TSA Exit Strategy & Execution
Designing and executing Transition Service Agreements for clean separation
Exit Narrative Construction
Building quantified before/after proof points for every value creation initiative
Sell-Side DD Coordination
Supporting vendor due diligence, buyer Q&A, and data room preparation
Post-Exit Optimization
Ongoing IT & BPO cost optimization and vendor governance for continued value protection
WHY PE FIRMS CHOOSE AVASANT
We Operate at Deal Speed, Not Corporate Speed
PE timelines leave no room for lengthy discovery phases or bloated teams. Avasant's engagement model is built for the urgency of deal cycles — rapid mobilization within days, lean senior-led teams, and deliverables structured for investment committee and board consumption. Our IT Due Diligence Red Flag Assessments are designed to surface deal-critical risks within the compressed windows of exclusivity periods, and our value creation engagements are scoped to deliver measurable EBITDA impact within a single reporting period.
Zero Conflicts of Interest
By Design Most large advisory firms maintain commercial relationships with the very service providers, technology vendors, and outsourcing partners they evaluate on your behalf. Avasant has zero financial ties to any service provider. When we recommend a vendor consolidation strategy, a sourcing decision, or a technology platform — our only incentive is your portfolio company's outcome. For PE firms managing fiduciary capital, this structural independence is not a nice-to-have; it is a prerequisite for trustworthy advice.
Benchmarks from Real Transactions, Not Self-Reported Surveys
Investment committees demand data-backed conviction. Avasant's proprietary benchmarking platforms — AvaMark™, Computer Economics™ and Business Economics™ — are built on 100,000+ negotiated contracts and pricing benchmarks derived from real transactions we see in the market. This means when we benchmark a portfolio company's IT and Business Process spend, vendor pricing, or staffing levels, the comparisons reflect what companies actually pay — not what they claim in industry surveys. The result: savings estimates that hold up under scrutiny and standalone cost projections that have been validated within 1% variance of target estimates.
One Advisor from Diligence Through Exit
No Handoff, No Knowledge Loss Most PE firms engage one firm for due diligence, another for value creation, and a third for exit preparation — losing institutional knowledge at every transition. Avasant is structured to serve as a single, continuous advisor across the entire investment lifecycle. The same team that identifies red flags during diligence designs the value creation roadmap post-close, executes the transformation, and builds the exit narrative. This continuity eliminates ramp-up time, ensures accountability for recommendations, and creates a compounding knowledge advantage across the hold period.
Every Recommendation Ties to EBITDA
PE firms don't pay for strategy presentations; they pay for EBITDA improvement. Avasant's value creation approach is engineered for measurable financial attribution. Our IT and Business Process spend benchmarks directly quantify savings potential by service area and cost category. Our sourcing scenarios model annualized savings across multiple paths —through internal optimization, managed services adoption, etc. Our AI value creation levers are mapped to specific financial outcomes: ARR uplift, margin expansion, NRR improvement, and exit multiple premiums. Results appear directly in EBITDA bridge analyses — value attribution is clean and credible to buyers.
Portfolio-Wide Scalability, Not One-Off Engagements
PE firms need advisors who can deploy consistently across a portfolio of 10, 20, or 50+ companies — not just solve one problem at one company. Avasant's Functional Maturity Assessment platform is purpose-built for portfolio-wide deployment, assessing HR, IT, F&A, Procurement, AI, Security, and Marketing maturity across every portfolio company using a consistent framework and 325+ benchmarking metrics. The output — portfolio dashboards, cross-company heatmaps, and company-level gap analyses — gives operating partners a single pane of glass to prioritize capital allocation and EBITDA uplift initiatives across the entire portfolio.
AI Expertise That Goes Beyond Buzzwords
Every consulting firm talks about AI. Avasant delivers structured, measurable AI value creation — from a six-dimension AI Readiness Assessment with built-in maturity scoring (L1–L5) and stage gates, to a Six-Lever AI Value Creation Framework specifically designed for PE-owned software firms. We don't just assess; we build the business case for each AI use case, instrument the KPIs (AI ARR %, NRR delta, churn reduction, customer ROI), and construct the quantified proof points that PE buyers demand 18–24 months ahead of exit. For operating partners, this means AI moves from a vague "initiative" to a trackable, attributable value lever in the EBITDA bridge.
Deep Cross-Sector Pattern Recognition PE portfolios span industries
An advisor who only knows healthcare or only knows manufacturing creates blind spots. With 5,000+ engagements across 250+ Fortune 1000 clients in manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, technology, retail, aerospace & defense, energy, and media — Avasant brings cross-sector pattern recognition that surfaces best practices from one industry and applies them to another. When we optimize IT operations for an industrial portfolio company, we draw on benchmarks and delivery models proven across dozens of comparable transformations.
OUR IMPACT
Measurable Results Across PE Portfolios
| Engagement Type | Outcome |
|---|---|
| IT & Business Process Transformation | ~$20M+ in annual savings, positioning the portfolio company for a successful exit |
| IT Managed Services Benchmarking & Vendor Consolidation | 25% cost savings on annual IT spend through updated operating models and vendor rationalization |
| Tech-Enabled Service Delivery Redesign | ~$30M in annual savings across customer care and HR functions |
| IT Optimization & Vendor Consolidation | 25% cost savings through application rationalization and strategic sourcing |
| Offshore Captive Establishment | Reduced cost and increased speed of IT support delivery |
| Portfolio-Wide AI Readiness Assessment | 20+ portfolio companies assessed and baselined across AI maturity dimensions |
| IT Spend Benchmarking & Sourcing Strategy | Identified 22–24% savings potential through scenario-based optimization modeling |
| Carve-Out IT Due Diligence | Validated standalone costs within 1% variance of target estimates using bottom-up benchmarking |
OUR PLATFORMS & TOOLS
Proprietary Intelligence That Powers Every Engagement
| Platform | What It Does |
|---|---|
| AvaMark™ | Benchmarking platform providing cost, price, and performance metrics for IT operations and business processes, drawn from real negotiated deals. |
| Computer Economics™ | 40+ years of IT spend, staffing, and organization sizing benchmarks across 21+ industries. |
| RadarView™ | Market intelligence and service provider assessments for target screening, vendor selection, and competitive positioning. |
| Strativa Edge™ | Deep market intelligence validating competitive strength, data moats, and market positioning, critical evidence for exit-stage multiple expansion. |
| Global Equations™ | Location intelligence for global delivery optimization, BCC analysis, and sourcing decisions. |
Experts & Thought Leaders
Anupam Govil
Managing PARTNER, PRIVATE
EQUITY PRACTICE
Rakesh Patro
PARTNER, PRIVATE EQUITY PRACTICE
Ready to Unlock Technology-Driven Value in Your Portfolio?
Whether you’re evaluating a new acquisition, driving post-deal transformation, or preparing a portfolio company for exit — Avasant brings the independence, data, and execution capability to deliver results that move multiples.
