STRATEGIC ADVISOR
M&A Target Identification & Validation
Find the right deals before they hit the market
A systematic M&A target screening and validation service that leverages cross-portfolio intelligence to identify acquisition candidates, assess strategic fit, and build board-ready investment theses.
How it works — and what you walk away with
Traditional M&A advisory is reactive—waiting for bankers to bring deals, then scrambling through due diligence. Our approach flips that model by proactively identifying acquisition targets through cross-portfolio intelligence.
We build your ideal acquisition profile based on capability gaps, strategic objectives, and portfolio composition needs. Then we screen systematically—not just through databases, but through the network effects of the portfolio itself: suppliers your companies use, competitors they face, and technology vendors they evaluate are all potential targets that no database search would surface.
The result is a continuously updated target pipeline with strategic fit scorecards, preliminary investment theses, and board-ready deal briefs for the highest-priority candidates.
What you get
Target Pipeline Report
Ranked list of 15-25 acquisition candidates with strategic fit scores, preliminary financials, and approach recommendations.
Investment Thesis Memos
Board-ready investment cases for top 3-5 targets, including strategic rationale, synergy quantification, and risk assessment.
Due Diligence Playbook
Customized due diligence checklist and process guide based on target type and deal complexity.
Integration Roadmap
100-day and first-year integration plans with milestones, resource requirements, and success metrics.
What's included
Acquisition Profile Development
Structured framework defining the ideal target based on capabilities, strategic fit, financial criteria, and portfolio composition needs.
Intelligent Target Screening
Multi-source screening using databases, portfolio network intelligence, and market signals to identify candidates others miss.
Strategic Fit Scorecards
Quantified evaluation of each target across capability alignment, synergy potential, integration complexity, and cultural fit.
Due Diligence Frameworks
Systematic due diligence checklists covering strategic, operational, financial, and cultural dimensions.
Integration Roadmap Templates
Pre-built integration plans based on portfolio best practices, covering the first 100 days through year one.
Who this is for
PE Firms Building Platforms
Private equity firms executing buy-and-build strategies who need systematic target identification and strategic fit assessment.
Corporate Acquirers
Companies planning strategic acquisitions who want to move faster and smarter than relying solely on investment banker deal flow.
Portfolio Companies Seeking Add-Ons
Portfolio companies looking for bolt-on acquisitions to fill capability gaps or expand market presence.
Frequently asked questions
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Ready to start M&A Target Identification & Validation?
Share your situation and Strategic Advisor will scope it with you — takes about two minutes.