Attention Operating Partners and Deal Originators: Are you truly evaluating the AI readiness and potential of your portfolio companies and investment targets?
In today's landscape, the ability to leverage AI isn't just a nice-to-have – it's the key to unlocking exponential value.
Here's what you need to assess:
Data Assets
Does the company have unique, high-quality data that could power AI solutions? This could be their hidden gold mine. It could be usable within your portfolio as well, or spark ideas across it of how to create value, so the talent managing these could be an invaluable asset.
AI-Ready Infrastructure
Evaluate their tech stack. Is it flexible enough to integrate AI solutions quickly? Cloud-native companies have a huge advantage here. It's not just the architecture, the code, nor the integrations, it's about how to modularise and prepare for scale. Speed and flexibility will be stable in the short to mid-term of #AIOps
Talent Pool
Look beyond traditional roles. Data scientists, ML engineers, and AI product managers are the new kingmakers. Additionally, GenerativeAI is only a year old in practical enterprise terms, which means up-skilling and education is key to keep everyone delivering maximum productivity. The tech is a known problem, but the adjacent roles are extremely scarce.
Market Position
Can AI supercharge their existing products or open new market segments? Companies poised to offer AI-as-a-service to their industry could see explosive growth, and simultaneously see their per unit, volume based pricing crushed by the applicability of this technology.
AI Use Case Impact Potential
Identify specific, high-impact areas where AI could drive efficiency or create new revenue streams. This is not refurbished automation, so the hammer looking for a nail approach is likely to take too long to unpack. The more concrete, the better.
Having led AI transformation initiatives across multiple sectors, I've seen firsthand how these factors can turn good companies into unicorns or high-growth businesses in legacy industries.
For example, when I helped a FT500 implement AI-powered analytics product, we didn't just improve their processes – we uncovered a whole new product line that added tens of Millions of £s to their top line, with over 50% profit margins, while saving clients £ Millions on every strategic decision.
You are either at the table or on the menu
The PE firms that master identifying and nurturing AI-ready companies will dominate the next decade of returns, and will potentially be investing in the next Apple, Google or Spotify.
Are you rigorously evaluating the AI potential in your portfolio and deal pipeline?
Let's connect and explore how you can spot the next AI-powered breakout success. Drop a comment or DM me to continue the conversation!
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