PE Due Diligence Process?

Hi all,

I have always wondered how PE analysts find bountiful information on private companies. For example, if my senior asks me if Company XYZ is a good investment, what steps should I take to eventually give him an answer?

I sure this is a completely rookie question, but as an equity research intern, who does due diligence on public companies, I find that I can't find much information on private ones. Thanks in advance.

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In private company space, initial investment ideas come from your own work (industry mapping) or from a seller (sell side bank/another PE/maybe even management or board).

1) For own work, an analyst would have access to industry reports, industry experts to interview, consultants to do a deck on key companies. In some countries, you can also find the historical financial statements for private companies.

2) For opportunities coming from external parties, these will generally come with an information memorandum and then access to a data room to perform a DD.

In summary, they don't have bountiful information, but would get that once they engage with the company in discussions. There's also a lot of targeted googling involved. Still, in your position, why would a senior ask you about information on private companies?

 

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