Private equity firms rely on precise data to identify opportunities, evaluate risks, and drive faster, more informed decisions.
Accurate data helps target the right investments, track performance, and plan exits with greater confidence.
Types of Private Equity Data
The demand for diverse and comprehensive PE data is more crucial than ever
The more you know, the better competitive edge you gain.
And the reason for higher demand for data? Fiercer competition, tighter deal timelines, and the need for deeper operational insights to drive post-acquisition value (from deal sourcing to identifying hidden growth opportunities and better exits).
With this in mind, here’s a snapshot of the key PE data categories we'll cover in this guide:
Deal Sourcing & Private Company Data
Fundraising & Investor Data
Market Intelligence & Valuation Data
M&A Transaction Data
Deal Sourcing & Private Company Data
SourceCo
When it comes to sourcing off-market opportunities,SourceCo stands out not as a data provider, but as a deal sourcing partner that serves as an extension of your firm.
Unlike platforms that focus solely on delivering company data, when it comes to proprietary deal flow, SourceCo provides a hands-on approach, making it a top choice for private equity firms looking for pre-vetted targets.
While data providers leave you to interpret vast datasets, SourceCo works directly with you, filtering through potential acquisitions, vetting targets, and even assisting in the initial stages of relationship-building with business owners.
What Makes SourceCo Unique?
Access to off-market opportunities, sourced directly from relationships built through years of industry experience and an access to unique company data, rather than just algorithms or standard databases (that only surface companies with advanced online presence)
Expert team that develops an in-depth understanding your investment criteria and industry focus, delivering untapped opportunities that perfectly align with your investment needs.
Proprietary company datasets allowing us to see beyond standard databases
Advanced technology that exceeds the results of traditional buy side processes
Detailed lead memos for pre-vetted prospects
Customized and frequent reporting tailored to highlight the data most relevant to your decision-making needs
Flexible and scalable month-to-month contracts
Best For:
Private Equity professionals looking for off-market deals that fit their investment criteria
Firms in need of hands-on partnership in the deal sourcing process
Investors aiming to leverage relationship-based sourcing for competitive M&A opportunities
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
Inven is an AI-powered deal origination and company search platform that helps users find companies quickly, refine searches with AI, and compare potential acquisition targets.
This private equity tool is positioned as an affordable alternative to expensive platforms like PitchBook, offering great value for users focused on deal origination without requiring full M&A cycle management features.
Pros
Comprehensive AI-driven searches that allow for faster deal origination and more precise company targeting.
User-friendly interface
Great customer support (same-day responses and a team open to user feedback)
Frequent platform updates
Cons
Occasional inaccuracies in company data, including revenue figures
Limited ability to filter by location-specific data such as zip code or state
Lack of categorization for some companies, especially in niche industries
Pricing:
Not available publicly
SourceScrub
SourceScrub provides a database of private companies, conference lists, and trade show attendees, allowing users to efficiently source deals, particularly with bootstrapped businesses.
Despite its excellent data collection features, there are occasional issues with inaccurate or stale data, and the user interface can feel sluggish at times.
Pros
Advanced Boolean search terms allow exclusion and inclusion of specific phrases
Tagging and list-saving features enhance search efficiency (no duplicates)
Integration with CRMs, easy exports
Filters companies by revenue, location, employee size
Cons
The UI can be slow, especially when tagging and scrolling
Bounce rates for email contacts can be as high as 15%
Occasional inaccuracies in data, especially with financing updates
Poor private company data coverage
Pricing:
Not available publicly
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Grata
Grata is a search engine for private company data used in M&A sourcing and market analysis. Known for its advanced filtering options and AI-driven "Find Similar" feature, it offers deep insights into companies’ revenue, employee counts, and niche market segments. Users have noted inaccuracies in data and relatively high costs, especially for early-stage researchers.
Pros
AI-powered "Find Similar" function helps identify relevant competitors quickly.
Extensive filtering options, including revenue estimates, NAICS codes, and employee counts.
CRM integrations
Vertical-specific insights for more targeted search results (ie. software subcategories).
Cons
Inaccuracies in company headquarters and employee data.
Missing niche company information
Limited contact information, often only including C-level contacts like the CEO.
High pricing
Pricing:
Not listed publicly
Beauhurst
Beauhurst offers detailed understanding of the UK startup ecosystem and tracks the most ambitious startups, scaleups, and high-growth companies in the UK. It provides data on businesses, their investments, accelerators, and relevant market trends.
Pros:
Advanced filtering capabilities allow users to narrow down companies using highly specific parameters such as funding round, size, buzzwords, or similar companies.
Real-time updates on companies
User-friendly dashboard
Excellent customer support
Cons:
High pricing
UK-centric focus only
Users noting a need for more export credits and a history of their exports
Occasional data gaps in specific types of research
Cyndx is a tool that aims to streamline deal sourcing, M&A activity tracking, and identifying private companies.
It offers filtering and search tools to identify prospects, comparables, and market participants, particularly focusing on smaller companies.
Pros
Extensive database
AI-driven search and filtering,
Ability to generate detailed buyer lists
Regular platform updates and expanding AI capabilities.
Cons
Steep learning curve
Occasional outdated or inaccurate contact data
Limited search precision when applying filters
Higher pricing
Pricing:
Not available publicly
Market Insights & Intelligence
PitchBook
PitchBook provides global data on private equity, venture capital, M&A, IPOs, and fundraising activity, making it essential for financial analysis and market research. Professionals in M&A, private equity, and venture capital use it to screen sectors, track investment trends, and conduct in-depth company and investor research.
Pros
Offers exhaustive information on global companies, deals (M&A, IPOs), and fundraising.
Detailed data on investors, funds, and emerging sectors.
Robust search and screening capabilities, though niche searches like software SaaS taxonomies could improve.
Real-time alerts and watchlist functionality enhance workflow efficiency.
Integration with Excel and Airtable supports external workflow management.
Cons
Search results can be inconsistent due to rigid search parameters, requiring exact inputs.
Contact information can be outdated and missing, particularly for smaller companies.
The user interface is not intuitive for new users and can require training.
Limited financial data on companies without funding history.
Pricing
PitchBook’s pricing is typically structured between $10,000 to $25,000 annually, depending on the number of seats and features. The pricing model is bundled, which means customers are often required to purchase access to multiple databases, even if they only need one or two.
CB Insights
CB Insights is a market intelligence platform focused on venture capital, startups, and emerging technology trends. It provides users with real-time data on funding rounds, competitive landscapes, and investor activities.
Pros
Comprehensive data on emerging tech, venture capital funding, and startups
Research reports with timely insights and email alerts
Visualization tools like market maps and dashboards
Easy-to-navigate dashboards, ideal for VC funding and competitor tracking
Cons
Limited integration with tools like Excel or Salesforce
Contact data is less robust compared to competitors like Pitchbook
Steep learning curve due to the complexity of advanced search features
Expensive for smaller businesses, and free version is quite limited
Pricing:
Not publicly available. Smaller firms may find the cost restrictive.
Dealroom.co
Dealroom.co is a market intelligence platform designed for investors, corporates, and governments, offering deep insights into startup ecosystems and emerging trends. It provides a wide array of data on funding rounds and market trends.
Pros:
Users can track investment trends, competitor analysis, and startup funding stages.
User-friendly interface
Real-time data on valuations, funding rounds, and ecosystem trends
Cons:
Data gaps in certain industries or regions
Search limitations for basic users, restricting the number of daily searches without a premium subscription.
Lagging performance during heavy use
API rate limits slow down bulk data downloads
Pricing:
Free tier with limited access to features. Paid subscription can be expensive for smaller teams.
Bloomberg Terminal
Bloomberg Terminal is an industry-standard financial data platform that offers real-time market data, M&A news, analytics, and trading tools.
It provides access to a comprehensive dataset of listed and private companies, including equities, fixed income, derivatives, and mutual funds, and comes with tools for trading, portfolio management, and financial modeling
Pros
Depth of financial data
Real-time market updates and extensive news coverage
Comprehensive suite for trading, portfolio management, and financial modeling
Proprietary tools like SPLC, GMM, and QUIC functions (market tracking)
Cons
High cost
Steep learning curve with a reliance on shortcuts and codes
High computing resource requirements
Limited customization options
Pricing:
Not publicly available. The tools is among the most expensive financial data platforms on the market.
Refinitiv Eikon by LSEG
Refinitiv Eikon, now part of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), provides real-time and historical data on stocks, commodities, and global markets and offers tools for PE portfolio management, financial modeling, and news aggregation, making it a versatile tool for financial analysts and portfolio managers.
Pros
Comprehensive market data across stocks, commodities, and markets globally
Portfolio analytics tools and financial modeling capabilities
Integration with Excel
User-friendly interface
Cons
High memory usage can slow down performance on lower-spec computers
Steeper learning curve for beginners; requires training
Some tools lack customization, and customer support can be slow to respond
Pricing:
Not listed publicly. Competitive in comparison to Bloomberg, making it a cost-effective solution for junior analysts and smaller teams.
Tracxn
Tracxn is a market intelligence platform that provides detailed information on startups, private companies, and emerging markets across a wide range of industries. It focuses on venture capital and private equity deal sourcing, offering a global database for research and due diligence.
Despite its comprehensive data in non-U.S. markets, users report challenges with U.S.-specific data and customer service issues.
Pros
Extensive database of global startups and private companies across emerging markets
Additional insights for venture capital and private equity deal sourcing
Emerging market data
Cons
Limited relevance for U.S.-based M&A and business development teams.
Frequent complaints regarding poor customer service and lack of issue resolution.
Marketing claims may not match the actual output of the platform.
User experience may include prolonged sales calls without tangible solutions.
Pricing:
Not publicly available
Investment Research & Funding Rounds
Private Equity International
Private Equity International (PEI) is a publication and data provider in the world of PE. It delivers news, in-depth analysis, and research across private equity sectors including fund management, deal-making, and fundraising, helping users stay informed on the latest developments in the industry.
Reports on fundraising, deal activity, and firm strategies
Regularly updated analysis and commentary on regulatory and market shifts
Networking opportunities through industry events and conferences
Strong focus on LP-GP relationships, fundraising insights, and deal flow
Cons
Primarily a news and analysis service, lacking the in-depth financial datasets found in other private equity data platforms
Higher-end subscription cost
Limited interactive tools for deal analysis compared to others (ie. Pitchbook, Preqin..)
Pricing
Starts at $3425/year per user
Preqin
Preqin offers users access to extensive market intelligence, where their 'Pro' plan is particularly useful for firms looking to identify investment opportunities, track industry trends, and conduct competitor analysis.
Additionally, it provides a vast database of investor news, reports, and benchmark data that cater to professionals involved in asset allocation, fundraising, and deal sourcing. The tool can fall short in terms of contact information quality, and may be less suitable for firms seeking more corporate-focused data or reliable prospecting contacts.
Pros
Extensive coverage of alternative assets across private equity, real estate, venture capital, and hedge funds
Provides detailed investor and fundraising data, including performance metrics and industry insights
Easy data exports for customized reports
User-friendly customer service and support
Regular investor news updates and industry reports to aid decision-making
Cons
Limited or poor-quality contact information for prospecting, leading to bounced emails
Interface can be confusing and harder to navigate compared to similar tools
Missing or incomplete data fields (e.g., AUM fields left blank without explanation)
Not as effective for corporate fundraising needs
Pricing can be too steep for smaller firms
Pricing
Not listed publicly. Tiered pricing - based on depth of data access and the number of users. Due to it's higher pricing, we think it’s best suited for institutional investors, private equity firms, and other large-scale users who require a broad view of alternative asset data.
Crunchbase
Crunchbase is a go-to platform for prospecting and tracking company insights, offering comprehensive data on companies’ funding rounds, key executives, acquisitions, and market trends. It’s best suited for larger enterprises or teams with a specific need for real-time business data due to its pricing and data accuracy.
Pros:
Real-time data helps teams stay informed on the latest funding rounds, mergers, and industry developments
Chrome extension for convenient prospecting and research on platforms like LinkedIn and CRM integrations
Automated company suggestions
Cons:
Outdated data and inaccuracies due to user-generated content
Clunky search tools with limited advanced filtering
Reports of customer support issues (slow response times and limited assistance)
Pricing
Credit-based. Free trial available.
General Market & Company Data
Capital IQ Pro
Capital IQ Pro delivers data for financial analysis, market intelligence, and research. It offers tools for benchmarking, screening, and financial modeling, with extensive public company data and evolving private company coverage. Users can extract large datasets with a few clicks, making it a valuable resource for research-heavy tasks.
Its real-time data updates span a broad range of sectors, from finance to energy. The platform is robust but comes with a premium price, making it a significant investment for firms seeking in-depth financial insights.
Pros
Extensive public company data and somewhat evolving private company coverage
Excel plug-in for efficient data extraction and modeling
Real-time updates and broad sector coverage (finance, energy, healthcare)
Strong customer support
Cons
High cost with additional charges for certain premium features
Steep learning curve due to complex features and new terminologies
Slower data updates for niche markets and small private companies
Interface can feel outdated and cluttered with large volumes of information
Pricing:
Not publicly available. Subscription-based model. Overall on the higher end, especially for multiple users.
Orbis by Moody's Analytics
Orbis provides company information such as ownership structures, financials, directors, and senior management information, facilitating compliance, KYC, and due diligence processes.
Users can access reports on both private and public companies, making it an essential tool for financial analysis, business verification, and risk assessment.
Strengths:
Extensive global coverage of company data, including historical information
Key for compliance, KYC, and due diligence with financial and ownership data
User-friendly interface with customizable report downloads
Valuable for analyzing business ownership structures and corporate hierarchies
Weaknesses:
Some data, particularly on smaller companies or in emerging markets, may be outdated or missing
Slow platform performance can hinder user experience
Limited integration with other in-house systems and applications
Pricing:
Not listed publicly. High-end subscription, typically used by financial institutions and large enterprises.
FactSet
FactSet is a financial research platform that provides data on public companies highly regarded for portfolio management and real-time market updates. Users can create custom formulas, manage investment portfolios, and track corporate structures and affiliations with ease.
Users report that for private companies, the data isn't as reliable despite integration with Crunchbase.
Pros
Wide coverage of financial data for public companies
Customizable screening capabilities and real-time alerts
SharkRepellent reports for activism and issuer credit ratings
Real-time updates on markets, economic data, and political developments
Cons
Slow loading times and occasional system hangs
Financial data on private companies lacks accuracy
Occasional discrepancies in preset financial statements
Expensive relative to some competitors like Capital IQ, but still cheaper than Bloomberg
Limited security listings and coverage of smaller companies
Pricing
Pricing for FactSet is typically expensive but provides a mid-range option compared to competitors like Bloomberg and is based on the number of users and data access required.
PE Hub
PE Hub is a well-known platform offering news, analysis, and insights into private equity, venture capital, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). It is a trusted source for industry professionals seeking the latest developments and deal-related information within the global private equity landscape.
Pros:
Comprehensive coverage of private equity deals, including buyouts, VC investments, fundraising activities, and exits
Expert analysis and editorial content provide valuable insights into market trends, investor sentiment, and strategic developments within private equity
Daily deal updates and breaking news
Focus on fundraising and M&A
Access to exclusive interviews and profiles of private equity and venture capital leaders
Cons:
Limited access without a subscription (many articles and reports behind a paywall)
Pricing:
Starting at $2495/year per user
Tomos Mughan
Tomos is the CEO of SourceCo, where he is responsible for establishing the vision for our software products, fostering a client-first culture, and driving business growth through both existing and new lines. He has extensive experience in the lead generation, data, and institutional M&A industries.
Find Off-Market Acquisition Targets
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