PE acquisition growth opportunities

I've recently done some reading relating to private equity acquisitions and the criteria for a good candidate. General things like steady cash flow and low debt percentage are relatively straight forward, but what I am most interested in is the growth opportunities in the acquisitions (e.g. EBITDA expansion, and how to obtain it).

Besides the broad answers like growing revenues or cutting costs, what specific ways do PE firms look to grow their portfolio companies? Interested in infrastructure or energy (where you can't easily expand your geographical presence), but any examples from whatever industry would be interesting too.

Thanks!

 

Growth opportunities generally all fall within one of 3 buckets: 1) Do the same thing for new customers / in new geographies (best organic growth since the model is proven) 2) Do new things for existing customers (also organic - more execution risk around new product/service development and market adoption) 3) Buy revenue (M&A / inorganic - value creation comes from buying at a cheaper multiple than your valuation)

Infra and energy is a very broad category - what specific type of company are you talking about (E&P, midstream, services?).

 

For things like consumer goods and tech organic growth is pretty easy to understand - open a new store, make your product available in a new geography, increase your value proposition through bundling or marginal cost add-ons etc...

I'm looking at solar/wind farms, hydro etc. Expanding the business, once established, seems like it would be a struggle. So what would you tell a PE firm about the growth opportunities available? Is it just that there are so few opportunities that the only return you'll get is via debt reduction, an increase in regulated price or perhaps it is soon-to-be unregulated .

 
Best Response

Laborum et id dolores. Et non ipsam iure veritatis sed ut. Sit molestias ducimus deleniti qui laudantium. Omnis sed cum reprehenderit debitis saepe labore. Assumenda odio placeat asperiores similique necessitatibus. Et quod iusto est fugit eveniet. Mollitia et exercitationem beatae numquam qui corporis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (91) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (205) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”