Private Equity Target Sourcing & Screening

Once an investment theme is defined, private equity firms face a familiar challenge: a broad universe of potential targets and limited clarity on which assets truly align with the deal thesis, as well as pressure to move quickly without diluting diligence resources.  

Ankura helps private equity firms identify, prioritize, and screen acquisition targets using outside-in intelligence and AI-enabled analysis. We help deal teams focus early on the opportunities most aligned with strategic intent, operational readiness, and value creation potential. For platform builds, tuck-in, and roll-up strategies, we help determine which initial targets create the strongest foundation for scalable growth — improving speed to conviction, discipline at the top of the funnel, and clarity on how to deploy diligence resources. This approach helps deal teams, investment committees, operating partners, and portfolio leadership align earlier around which opportunities warrant attention — supporting more disciplined origination and a stronger foundation for value creation.