Since Cornerstone Business Services first began using Private Equity Info two decades ago, the private equity landscape has experienced substantial growth.
Deal volume has surged, with PEI’s transaction data showing a rise from 2,246 platform acquisitions in 2005 – when the lower middle market investment bank first subscribed to PEI – to an average of more than 4,000 platform acquisition per year over the past three years.
As the pool of buyers has expanded, finding the right firm and decision-maker has become increasingly challenging, requiring more time and precision.
Cornerstone Founder and Managing Partner Scott Bushkie says that Private Equity Info has evolved through the years to help the firm meet these challenges head-on.
By incorporating advanced search features, tools to identify key decision-makers, and datasets that go beyond private equity to include public and private companies, PEI has become an indispensable part of the firm’s process.
“Having one source for a majority of private equity information is crucial,” Bushkie said. “We’ve closed multiple deals over the years thanks to Private Equity Info.”
Tools that transform the process
Cornerstone runs structured sales processes for its clients, typically businesses with annual revenue from $5 million to $150 million that are looking to be acquired. PEI’s advanced tools – including detailed search filtering and executive contact data – streamline this process.
One standout is the Exact Executive tool, which is included in a Pro subscription package. This feature gives users the ability to quickly identify the contact information for the right private equity decision-maker for a deal, typically the executive who holds a board seat at a portfolio company in a related industry.
“Finding the right private equity group is one thing – finding the right person to contact is another,” Bushkie said. “Calling the wrong person can mean losing a client’s opportunity because the message doesn’t get to the right decision-maker.”
Bushkie estimates that Private Equity Info’s M&A research platform often reduces a buy-side search effort by 20-30%, and sometimes more. The platform’s user-friendly interface allows Cornerstone’s team – analysts, associates, and valuation professionals – to efficiently leverage its tools to build buyer lists and prepare detailed industry insights for client pitches.
Measurable success in dealmaking
Beyond efficiency, Private Equity Info's tools have directly contributed to Cornerstone’s ability to close deals.
One notable deal from 2024 involved 123 NDAs, 28 IOIs, 5 management presentations, and 4 LOIs. The buyer that ultimately closed the deal was sourced from Private Equity Info.
After the transaction, the relationship continued to bloom. The buyer ended up acquiring another company from Bushkie’s Cornerstone International Alliance, a network of elite M&A firms.
“As is often the case, we get great buyers from PEI who are serious about acquiring businesses and can get to the finish line," Bushkie said.
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At a Glance:
- Investment Bank
- Pro Subscriber
- Subscribed since 2005
- More than 8,000 searches
Features utilized:
Exports
Alerts
Saved Searches
Auto-Search
Exact Executive
LinkedIn URLs
Datasets utilized:
Private Equity Firms
Private Equity Executives
Portfolio Companies
Private Companies
Public Companies
