Healthcare & Life Sciences Services Market Insights January 2024

2023 included notable M&A activity in the Healthcare & Life Sciences Services market, propelled by ongoing scientific and technological advancement and regulatory changes, and strong interest from private equity investors. Key segments attracting market demand included medical communications, commercialization consulting, regulatory affairs, outsourced drug development services, revenue cycle management, EHR and clinical workflow consulting, and … Continued

Clearsight Advises Insigniam in its Acquisition by Elixirr

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to share another successful transaction in its Strategic Business Consulting practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive advisor to Insigniam, LLC (“Insigniam” or the “Company”) in its acquisition by Elixirr Consulting, Ltd. dba Elixirr Partners, LLP (“Elixirr”) (LON: ELIX). Insigniam is a leading global consulting firm working with clients to … Continued

Clearsight’s Gretchen Frary Seay Named to Dallas 500

We are thrilled to announce Gretchen Frary Seay, Clearsight Co-Founder and Managing Director, has been named to D CEO’s 2024 Edition of the Dallas 500 for the fourth consecutive year. This incredible achievement underscores Gretchen’s commitment to excellence and her powerful presence in the Dallas business community. The Dallas 500 celebrates the most powerful and … Continued

Clearsight Advises Phoenix in its Acquisition by J.S. Held

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is proud to announce a successful transaction in its leading Professional Services practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive advisor to Phoenix Management Services® and Phoenix IB® (Phoenix) (“Phoenix” or the “Company”) in its acquisition by J.S. Held, LLC (“J.S. Held”), a portfolio company of Kelso and Co., L.P. (“Kelso”). Phoenix provides … Continued

Clearsight Advises CREO in its Recapitalization by Grant Avenue Capital

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is proud to announce a successful transaction in its industry-leading Healthcare & Life Sciences practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive financial advisor to CREO, Inc. (“CREO” or the “Company”) in its recapitalization by Grant Avenue Capital, LLC (“Grant Avenue”). CREO is a leading management consultancy serving growing life sciences, healthcare, and … Continued

Tech M&A Adjusts to a New Normal

Strategic acquirers and private equity firms alike are finding ways to add value through M&A despite an uneasy macroeconomic environment. Clearsight’s Justin Loeb discusses current market activity with ACG‘s Middle Market Executive magazine. Read the full feature, part of the Summer 2023 edition.   Justin Loeb Director, Clearsight Advisors Washington, DC jloeb@clearsightadvisors.com       … Continued

Clearsight Advises Beghou Consulting on an Investment by Varsity Healthcare Partners

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is proud to share another successful transaction in its Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive financial advisor to Beghou Consulting, LLC (“Beghou” or the “Company”) on a strategic investment from Varsity Management Co., LP dba Varsity Healthcare Partners (“VHP”). Beghou is an industry-leading life sciences consultancy helping … Continued

Accounting & Private Equity Transaction Primer

TowerBrook Capital Partners’ 2021 investment in EisnerAmper catalyzed private equity’s pursuit of accounting firms. The two industries have coexisted for decades, but this partnership established a new chapter in private equity’s playbook, creating novel entity structures in the process. Read more on market dynamics, transaction structures, and partnership considerations in our market overview. Download Now … Continued

Talent, Technology, and Transformation – Insights from Clearsight’s 2023 Knowledge Economy Summit

  Clearsight Advisors hosted its annual Knowledge Economy Summit last month, gathering hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and strategic partners in Dallas for a day of networking and insights. The event featured private, one-on-one meetings between attendees and a panel discussion about key dynamics for the Knowledge Economy workforce in 2023 and beyond. Kate Duchene, CEO … Continued

The Impact of the FTC’s Proposed Non-Compete Rule on M&A

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently proposed a series of sweeping changes to current non-compete law that would effectively ban these agreements between employees and employers under most circumstances. If implemented in its current form, the rule would substantially change how employers and acquirers utilize restrictive covenants, with potential impacts across compensation structures, M&A dynamics, … Continued

Clearsight Advises Bionest Partners in its Acquisition by Accenture

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to share another successful transaction in its Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice. Clearsight served as exclusive financial advisor to Bionest Partners, Inc. (“Bionest” or the “Company”) in its acquisition by Accenture (NYSE: ACN). Bionest is an industry-leading life sciences consulting firm focused on commercialization, go-to-market strategy, and launch execution … Continued

Clearsight Advises Treacy & Company in its Acquisition by Cherry Bekaert

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its Strategy Consulting Practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive financial advisor to Treacy & Company, LLC (“T&Co” or the “Company”) in its acquisition by Cherry Bekaert, LLP (“Cherry Bekaert”), a portfolio company of Parthenon Capital. T&Co is a Chicago- and Boston-based boutique management … Continued

Clearsight Advises RLH Equity Partners on Sale of Majority Stake in CrossCountry Consulting to Investcorp

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce the completion of another successful Business Advisory transaction. Clearsight served as advisor to RLH Equity Partners (“RLH”) on the sale of its majority stake in CrossCountry Consulting, LLC (“CrossCountry” or the “Company”) to Investcorp Holdings B.S.C. (“Investcorp”). Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) also invested, and RLH … Continued

Clearsight Advises Avesi Partners on an Investment in memoryBlue

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce the completion of another high-growth, industry-leading outsourced services transaction. Clearsight served as the exclusive financial advisor to Avesi Partners (“Avesi”) on its investment in memoryBlue, LLC (“memoryBlue” or the “Company”). Based in Stamford, CT with an office in Richmond, VA, Avesi is a private equity firm that … Continued

The Knowledge Economy Bets on ESG

Over the last 24 months, many perspectives have been shared regarding the staying power of ESG. Is it a craze or PR fad? Is it sustainable (pun intended)? More recently, the counter position has taken shape, characterizing ESG as a force, foundational and even mission critical. Wherever you fall on this spectrum – ESG has … Continued

Clearsight’s M&A and Private Equity Trends for 2022

While most enterprises in 2021 were finally beginning to adjust and regain their footing after enduring a tumultuous pandemic-year, the M&A, private equity, and venture capital industries found themselves hitting the ground running – delivering a record-breaking year during a period of mass economic uncertainty. ACG National Capital’s Corporate Growth, Capital Style team caught up … Continued

With ESG, No One Size Fits All

Business leaders are familiar with a fair number of acronyms: EBITDA, CAGR, BCM, CSR, GRC. Yet, one acronym is becoming increasingly important in the alphabet soup of a decision maker’s day-to-day: ESG. At its core, Environmental, Social and Governance is an evolving framework for stakeholders to assess, implement, measure and report how a company operates … Continued

Clearsight Advises Devbridge in its Acquisition by Cognizant

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its leading Digital Transformation practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic advisor to Devbridge (or the “Company”) in its acquisition by Cognizant Softvision, a subsidiary of Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH). The deal marks Clearsight’s ninth digital transformation transaction in the last 12 months. Devbridge … Continued

Clearsight Advises Stax in its Recapitalization by Blue Point Capital Partners

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its Strategic Consulting, Data & Analytics and Business Advisory practice. Clearsight served as the exclusive advisor to Stax Inc. (“Stax” or the “Company”) in its recapitalization by Blue Point Capital Partners (“Blue Point”). This marks Clearsight’s 11th strategy consulting transaction in the last … Continued

Clearsight Advises RCG Global Services in its Recapitalization by Frontenac

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its leading Digital Transformation and Data Analytics practices. Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic advisor to RCG Global Services, Inc. (“RCG” or the “Company”), a portfolio company of Eos Partners L.P. (“Eos”), in its recapitalization by Frontenac Co. (“Frontenac”). Headquartered in Iselin, NJ, … Continued

Clearsight Advises Process Stream in its Acquisition by Sikich

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its Life Sciences Consulting and Compliance Practices. Clearsight served as exclusive advisor to Process Stream (or “The Company”) in the acquisition of its assets by Sikich, LLP (“Sikich”). This transaction emphasizes Clearsight’s role as a preeminent advisor to the consulting and compliance sectors. … Continued

Clearsight Advisors’ 2020 Year in Review

Despite one of the most tumultuous and uncertain years on record, Clearsight remained committed to providing expert advice and unparalleled outcomes to our clients across professional and technology-enabled services sectors. Our industry focus areas demonstrated resilience, delivering critical services and technology as the world pivoted to virtual work. As a firm, Clearsight expanded into new … Continued

Clearsight Advises 9Gauge in its Acquisition by E78 Partners

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight” ) is pleased to announce another successful transaction at the convergence of high-end services and technology. Clearsight served as exclusive advisor to 9Gauge Partners, LLC (“9Gauge” or “The Company”) in its acquisition by Element78 Advisors, LLC (“E78 Partners”). This deal underscores Clearsight’s position as a market-leading advisor to innovative, high-end professional … Continued

Clearsight Advises Deloitte on the Sale of its Life Sciences Pricing and Contracting Solutions Business to Model N

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive financial advisor to Deloitte & Touche LLP on the sale of its life sciences pricing and contracting solutions business (PaCS) and underlying technology to Model N, Inc. (NYSE: MODN), which closed on December 31, 2020. The transaction broadens Model N’s portfolio to better serve … Continued

Clearsight Advises Cornerstone Advisors on an Investment by Altamont Capital Partners

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another highly successful transaction in its market-leading Professional Services practice. Clearsight served as exclusive financial advisor to Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) on an equity investment from Altamont Capital Partners (“Altamont”). This represents Clearsight’s eighth transaction since the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world starting in March. Cornerstone Advisors … Continued

Clearsight Advises Goldin Associates in its Acquisition by Teneo

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight” ) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the sale of Goldin Associates, LLC (“Goldin” or “The Company”), a leading financial advisory firm focused on distressed situations, financial restructuring, valuation analyses and fiduciary roles. Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic financial advisor to Goldin in its acquisition by Teneo, a … Continued

Deal Review: Another Day, Another Dollar… Spent on B2B Software and Services Convergence

DataRobot – best known for its suite of leading AI software platforms specifically aimed at democratizing AI for the enterprise environment – announced a partnership last week with Boston Consulting Group (“BCG”). DataRobot acquired IP, SOURCE AI, from the BCG GAMMA team. BCG created SOURCE AI to allow analytics teams to quickly aggregate data from … Continued

Five Steps for Getting Your Consulting Business to Market

The consulting M&A market was highly active in 2019, with diverse buyers pursuing rapidly growing firms with domain expertise in hot horizontals and verticals in order to achieve “end-to-end” business solutions. We expect an active consulting M&A market to continue in 2020. For consultancies evaluating a potential sale transaction, here are a few steps you … Continued

Clearsight Advises ECG in its Acquisition by Siemens

Siemens Healthineers AG has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in ECG Management Consultants, a healthcare advisory firm headquartered in San Diego, California. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019. “The advisory business of ECG is a strong addition to our portfolio and a further step in the implementation … Continued

Accenture Interactive Bets Big on Creative

On April 3rd, 2019, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN), a global provider of consulting, technology, and outsourcing services, acquired Droga5, a global branding and marketing agency, for an undisclosed amount. Droga5 will be integrated with Accenture Interactive, boosting its capabilities as an experience agency able to ideate, design, build, and run customer experiences that grow purpose-led brands … Continued

As the data science sector consolidates, who are likely buyers?

Last month, Clearsight Advisors announced that we served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Kogentix in its acquisition by Accenture. The global research and advisory firm 451 Research recently reported on that deal as an example of ballast for future M&A activity in the data science atmosphere, mentioning that “Accenture has also helped … Continued

The Employee Engagement Market – The Early Innings of Rapid Consolidation

Earlier this week, Clearsight announced its role advising Brand Integrity in its acquisition by Reward Gateway. This is an important deal because it further highlights several trends that we have been both preaching and witnessing over the last several years: first, a convergence across business models and second, convergence and consolidation across the fragmented employee … Continued

Deal Spotlight: Ankura Acquires Two Divisions From Navigant

Deal Spotlight: Ankura Acquires Two Divisions From Navigant On June 25, 2018, Navigant Consulting, Inc. (“Navigant”), a provider of professional services, announced that it will sell its Disputes, Forensics and Legal Technology (“DFLT”) segment and Transaction Advisory Services (“TAS”) practice to Ankura Consulting Group, LLC (“Ankura”), a leading business advisory and professional services firm. The … Continued

Navigant Expands Life Sciences Practice By Acquiring Quorum Consulting

On November 2, 2017, Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NYSE:NCI) (“Navigant”), an independent, global professional services firm, announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of Quorum Consulting, Inc. (“Quorum”), a consulting firm focused on life sciences market access, for an undisclosed amount in order to augment its capabilities and methodologies for the life sciences … Continued

Clearsight Advises Premier Payments Consulting Firm, First Annapolis Consulting, in its Acquisition by Accenture

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its market-leading Professional Services Practice.  Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to First Annapolis Consulting, Inc. (“First Annapolis”) in its acquisition by Accenture (NYSE: ACN).  This transaction further emphasizes Clearsight’s position as the leader in advising high-end consulting firms.

Clearsight Advises Growth Strategy Firm, Innosight, in its Announced Acquisition by Huron

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce another successful transaction in its market-leading Professional Services Practice.  Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Innosight Holdings LLC (“Innosight”) in its announced acquisition by global professional services firm Huron (NASDAQ: HURN).  This transaction further emphasizes Clearsight’s position as the leader in advising high-end … Continued

Five Actions to Prepare Your Consulting Business for Sale

As we described in a recent article, the consulting M&A market was highly active in 2016, with diverse buyers pursuing rapidly growing firms with domain expertise in “hot” horizontals and verticals such as Cloud Services, Healthcare, and Digital Transformation. We expect an active consulting M&A market to continue in 2017. For consultancies evaluating a potential … Continued

Market Spotlight – Gartner to Acquire CEB

With 2016 in very recent memory, the world is still quaking from the effects of countless events: Brexit, the US election, and rising concerns about global international relations, to name a few. Where there is uncertainty, providers of research, data, and insights typically thrive. Gartner’s acquisition comes at a time when enterprises need help navigating … Continued

The Consulting M&A Market: Back on Top in 2016

Although 2016 started with what initially appeared to be muted M&A activity, we will likely look back on 2016 as a key inflection point for the broad consulting industry. Through an equal combination of both strong volume and values, the consulting M&A market reached new heights and set a high bar for 2017. With 2016 … Continued

Clearsight Advises Pivot Point Consulting in its Acquisition by Vaco Healthcare

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Pivot Point Consulting, LLC (“Pivot Point”) by Vaco Healthcare, LLC (“Vaco”), a portfolio company of QUAD-C Management, Inc. Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Pivot Point Consulting. The transaction underscores Clearsight’s unrivaled position as the advisor of choice for leading … Continued

Accenture Acquires DayNine, Marking One Final Step Toward Complete Consolidation of the Original Workday Boutiques

It was announced last week that Accenture (NYSE: ACN) will acquire DayNine Consulting, one of the leading global Workday (NYSE: WDAY) services boutique partners. The deal not only represents another move by Accenture to become one of the top enterprise cloud services providers in the world, but it also marks a final step towards complete … Continued

PE-Backed Platforms Ramping Up Acquisition Activity in the Professional Services Sector

For the last several quarters, we have been talking about the increase in PE activity in the consulting sector. As evidence of this continuing trend, there has been a recent flurry of deals including: Madison Dearborn-backed Ankura Consulting Group’s acquisition of MGBD (Turnaround Consulting) Primary Capital Partners-backed MARU Group’s acquisition of Vision Critical Research and … Continued

Clearsight Advises ARRYVE LLC in its Acquisition by Grant Thornton, LLP

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce the completion of another highly successful transaction in the business consulting and professional services industry. Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to ARRYVE LLC in its acquisition by Grant Thornton, LLP.  This transaction deepens Clearsight’s position as the leader in advising high-end consulting firms.

A New Era of Consulting M&A, the Private Equity Marriage

Earlier this month Ankura Consulting Group, a business advisory and expert services firm, announced that it had received an investment commitment of $100M from Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm. Ankura is a recent entrant into the consulting arena founded by former executives from FTI Consulting and is largely focused on providing clients … Continued

The Carlyle Group Acquires Controlling Interest in PA Consulting

Earlier this month, The Carlyle Group announced its acquisition of a 51% controlling interest in PA Consulting Group, a global management and technology consulting firm headquartered in London. The deal was funded through Carlyle Europe Partners IV, which raised a new multi-billion dollar fund earlier this year invest to mid-sized European companies. The deal, which will … Continued

Clearsight Advises LRA on its Acquisition by Deloitte

Clearsight Advisors, Inc. (“Clearsight”) is pleased to announce the completion of another highly successful strategic transaction in the consulting and customer experience industry. Clearsight served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to LRA Worldwide (“LRA”) on its acquisition by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”). The transaction underscores Clearsight’s unrivaled position as the advisor of … Continued

Healthcare Consulting Momentum Continues with Huron Consulting’s $325 million announced acquisition of Studer Group

Following up what was a breakout year for Healthcare Consulting M&A in 2014, 2015 starts out with a bang. Huron Consulting stepped way out of its traditional comfort zone to spend nearly ¼ of its market capitalization to announce it is acquiring JMI backed Studer Group. Studer is a provider-side focused consulting and training firm … Continued

Navigant Acquires Cymetrix – Largest Deal for Navigant in Past Decade

Earlier this month, Navigant announced that it had acquired Cymetrix, a private equity-backed revenue cycle management firm specializing in providing outsourcing services to hospital and healthcare networks. The acquisition, which is the largest deal Navigant has done in the past decade, allows Navigant to further expand its business platform beyond consulting services to incorporate more … Continued

KPMG Acquires Turnaround Consulting Firm BBK

KPMG announced last week that they are acquiring automotive-focused turnaround and restructuring firm BBK, headquartered in Detroit. While otherwise relatively unremarkable amidst the most active consolidation market for management consulting firms, it reinforces a couple of key tenets we have been discussing with our Consulting clients:

Convergence to Solutions – Drivers of Today’s M&A Strategy

Fujitsu America yesterday announced that it has expanded its relationship with SAP so that it is in a better position to sell solutions to its clients. Specifically, the press release referenced, “Fujitsu America now provides solutions that encompass all facets required for successful implementation, including software licensing, services, training and documentation, staffing, and optimization and … Continued