Deal Sourcing Platforms: Top 13 Companies Compared (2024)

1. SourceCo

SourceCo leads the pack in proprietary deal sourcing, blending AI-powered insights with expert human expertise to deliver access to off-market targets by identifying niche companies that standard databases aren't built to cover.

Most PE firms spend 20% of their time researching suitable targets, and access to incomplete company data causes them to miss out on 50% of the private company universe.

SourceCo solves this with an extensive quality and depth-driven database of granular, private company data with a combination of expert research and outreach team.

Pros:

• Proprietary access to niche companies through a combination of proprietary software and expert outreach.
• Direct owner outreach leading to better relationships and exclusive deal opportunities.
• Tailored searches built to align with unique investment theses
• Customizable pipeline with real-time adjustments based on firm-specific needs.
• Expert research team with experience from firms such as Bain
• Access to high-value opportunities in industries with little visibility in standard databases.
• Mid-market focus, offering scalable options for both platform acquisitions and add-on deals.
• Long-term partnerships with business owners, ensuring seamless negotiations and direct communication.
• Adaptable across deal sizes, from smaller add-ons to larger platform deals, fully aligned with your acquisition strategy.

What customers say:

"SourceCo was able to generate numerous actionable opportunities  within  the  first  90  days   of  the campaign in a highly competitive and niche space with consistent and detailed  reporting along with a thorough process. "

"They took the time to understand exactly what we are seeking and used their tech- enabled platform to deliver a steady stream of relevant opportunities. Huge value add to our BD team and highly recommend." - Daniel Florian, Managing Director, Sun Capital Partners

For more information, check out SourceCo's deal sourcing page, or skip ahead and request your free company dataset

2. Inven

Inven offers an AI-powered platform designed for scaling deal flow quickly. Leveraging natural language processing (NLP), Inven efficiently builds lists of acquisition targets across industries and geographies. It offers a deep database of companies without additional M&A-cycle-management features.

This platform is ideal for middle-market firms that need to generate volume and expand their acquisition pipeline without the need for extensive manual research. Some users report revenue data for companies can be of 50/50 accuracy.

Pros:

• Quickly builds large target lists through automated research and advanced NLP.
• Global access to companies across a wide array of industries.
• Contact database of over 430 million professionals, enabling fast outreach.
• Customizable filters for refining acquisition targets based on industry, geography, and financial data.

Related reading:

• Private Equity Deal Sourcing Strategies for 2024
• Proprietary Deal Flow - High Growth Strategy for 2024
• Add-On Acquisition Sourcing Strategies

3. SourceScrub

SourceScrub specializes in private company market mapping, giving dealmakers access to 15M + company profiles and regular updates.

This platform might be the most suitable to those ones looking for high-level private company data. However, some users report it's interface can be clunky and investment information less reliable than its counterparts.

Pros:

• Surfaces private, bootstrapped companies, and tracks conferences, events, and more
• Real-time updates on company growth and financial data
• Built-in robust search engine promptly processing custom queries

4. DealSuite

DealSuite is a platform and a marketplace tailored for cross-border M&A, especially strong in the European market.

The platform matches buyers with sellers by connecting them to a network of 1,500+ companies who are active in M&A, making it a primary choice for firms that are looking to source deals internationally.

DealSuite connects private equity firms, M&A advisors, and corporate buyers.

Pros:

• Focus on European markets
• Algorithm-driven buyer-seller matching
• Strong network of European M&A advisors
• Built-in data room

5. Grata

Grata uses AI-driven technology to surface private companies, making it one of the top platforms for firms looking to quickly map the (esp. larger) company market.

However, similar to SourceScrub, Grata lacks specific and granular data, especially around smaller companies.

Pros:

• AI-powered search engine for discovering private companies that aren’t widely known.
• Real-time data on company growth, financials, and other key metrics.
• Customizable searches allow users to filter based on specific criteria, improving target accuracy

Related:

• 5 Private Equity Deal Origination Email Templates

6. Cyndx

Cyndx offers a comprehensive AI-driven platform focused on providing insights into private companies and their capital-raising activities.

With a global reach, Cyndx is a strong tool for private equity firms looking to source deals with high-growth potential. It is particularly effective for firms that need to track financial health and future capital needs of their targets.

Pros:

• Tracks capital-raising activity
• Global reach with access to private company data across markets.
• Financial health insights

7. PrivSource

PrivSource is a platform specializing in off-market deal flow & marketplace, connecting private investors and buyers with acquisition targets that are not actively being marketed.

Its secure private network and focus on confidential transactions make it a solid option for dealmakers looking for exclusive deals.

Pros:

• Access to deals through a private network
• Private, invitation-only deals
• PrivSource only includes pre-vetted sellers

Related:

• Top 13 Private Equity Conferences in 2024 & 2025
• PE Buy and Build Strategy

8. Mergr

Mergr is a deal database focused on middle-market M&A research, offering a comprehensive overview of historical deal data, company profiles, and private equity insights.

It's a valuable tool for researching past transactions and understanding deal trends across industries. While Mergr is more of a research tool than a deal sourcing platform, it helps dealmakers make informed decisions based on past market activity.

Pros:

• Comprehensive database of historical M&A transactions, offering insights into past deals.
• Detailed company profiles and private equity insights
• Perfect for middle-market research, especially for firms looking to analyze historical deal trends

Buy-Side Deal Sourcing Firms

1. SourceCo

SourceCo stands as the premier buy-side deal sourcing firm, offering a fully relationship-driven approach to uncovering proprietary deals.

Through tailored acquisition search programs and deep industry expertise, SourceCo helps firms identify off-market companies that are rarely visible through typical channels.

As opposed to broker-led auctions and other traditional deal sourcing channels, SourceCo’s combination of AI-powered insights and long-term target relationship-building enables clients to access better deals at more favorable terms.

Pros:

• Access to off-market deals
• Direct relationships with business owners
• Sector-specific expertise
• Pre-vetted fits
• Tailored sourcing strategies
• Largely proprietary AI-sourcing technology enabled in
• Combination of tech with expert human-driven outreach & research

SourceCo is ideal for firms looking for highly targeted, relationship-driven sourcing that goes beyond data and delivers exclusive opportunities. Request your free target sample below 👇

What do our customers say?

Brian Nienstedt, Chief Development Officer at NexCore (Trinity Hunt Partners), said SourceCo helped them reach actionable targets they would otherwise miss.

"SourceCo was a great partner that used their tech to build very specific custom data sets and organize multiple transactions that we closed very quickly after starting to work with them. Couldn't recommend using them more."

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2. Harvey & Co

Harvey & Co specializes in middle-market acquisitions, with a strong focus on industry-specific sourcing.

They leverage industry experience in various sectors. On the contrary, when it comes to deal sourcing, Harvey & Co relies on its network, as opposed to leveraging proprietary company databases and technology enablement other firms rely on.

Pros:

• Strong middle-market focus
• Industry-specific sourcing
• Expertise in various industry sectors

3. Dinan & Company

Dinan & Company is known for its buy-side advisory services, including buy-side and sell-side M&A advisory, growth equity and debt advisory, valuation and fairness opinions, and merchant banking.

Thanks to their hands-on approach, the firm believes to be a strong partner to those needing end-to-end transaction support. The firm relies on it's own relationship network to source deals.

Pros:

• Comprehensive buy-side advisory services in addition to deal sourcing
• Specialized industry and sector expertise

4. Captarget

Captarget provides a fixed-cost model for outsourced deal origination, making it an appealing option for firms that want to expand their sourcing without the overhead of an in-house team.

With a focus on lower-middle-market deals, Captarget provides access to acquisition opportunities through their BDR-like outreach.

Pros:

• Outsourced deal origination
• Lower-middle-market focus

5. Blue River

Blue River is a middle-market M&A advisory firm providing comprehensive buy-side and sell-side services, valuations, and corporate finance guidance.

They offer full-service buy-side advisory across various sectors. Blue river is a good fit for those seeking dedicated support in complex M&A transactions.

Pros:

• Full-service advisory (origination to closing)
• Long-term support throughout the acquisition process

6. Copper Run

Copper Run focuses on middle-market M&A, offering buy-side services for private equity firms and corporate buyers.

Copper Run’s team takes a hands-on approach, helping clients find proprietary opportunities that are aligned with their investment strategies.

Pros:

• Middle-market M&A focus
• Hands-on approach to deal sourcing
• Proprietary deal flow

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Selection Criteria for Choosing a Deal Sourcing Platform or Firm

Choosing the right deal sourcing partner depends on your firm’s unique needs. Here are key points to consider:

1. Proprietary Deal Flow Access

Prioritize platforms that offer proprietary access to off-market deals, reducing competition and improving deal quality. Technology-enabled deal sourcing companies like SourceCo excel by revealing hidden opportunities through AI-driven insights combined with human outreach.

2. Relationship-Driven vs. Data-Driven

Decide if a hands-on, relationship-focused approach like SourceCo’s is better for your firm compared to purely data-driven solutions that may miss nuanced, off-market opportunities by not having the necessary (and sufficient) private company data.

3. Sector-Specific Expertise

Look for partners with deep industry knowledge in your target sectors. Specialized firms provide nuanced insights and industry expertise that generalist platforms might miss.

4. Geographic Reach

Consider platforms that match your geographic needs. Firms like DealSuite specialize in European markets, while others offer broader global reach.

5. Cost and Value Alignment

Evaluate the cost structure and long-term ROI. Cost-effective models are great for scaling, but relationship-driven partners often deliver higher-quality, strategic acquisitions.

Checklist for Choosing the Ideal Deal Sourcing Provider

• Does the provider offer proprietary off-market deals? How do they access opportunities not visible on traditional databases?
• Is their approach relationship-driven, and do they build direct connections with business owners? How does this impact deal quality?
• Can they tailor their sourcing to your specific acquisition criteria, sector focus, or geographic needs?
• Do they specialize in your target industries? Can they provide deep insights into niche markets?
• How does the provider fit into your existing sourcing and deal evaluation workflow?
• Do they combine AI-driven insights with expert human outreach? How does this blend improve sourcing outcomes?
• What’s the ROI on their sourcing model? How do their costs align with the value delivered in terms of deal quality?
• Can their platform or service scale with your growing acquisition needs, from small add-ons to larger platform deals?
• Do they provide comprehensive support from initial sourcing through to deal closing?
• What’s their success rate with firms similar to yours? Can they provide case studies or references?

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