Chapter: 1 Introduction to PlainView Research
In this chapter, we will explore the fundamental concepts of the Private Equity and M&A industries, the primary sectors in which PlainView Research operates. You will gain insight into the key services that PlainView Research offers to its clients, as well as a clear understanding of your crucial role as a research analyst in supporting these efforts.
About PlainView
PlainView Research is a boutique M&A research firm that specialises in delivering detailed market maps and industry insights for clients in the European private equity and M&A sectors. Our flagship service - Market Maps - are comprehensive guides, listing all active companies within a defined sector or niche. The scope of these niches can range from broad, such as identifying companies in the European education technology sector with annual revenues exceeding €5M, to highly specific, such as mapping out privately-owned residential cleaning service providers with revenues of €5M+ and EBITDA of €1M+ in select regions of the UK and Germany.
In addition to market mapping, we occasionally produce long-form industry reports for select private equity clients, offering in-depth analyses of market trends, competitive landscapes, and investment opportunities.
Our Services
Market Map Research
Our Market Map Research is designed to provide our clients with a comprehensive understanding of the competitive environment in their targeted industry. We compile an extensive list of 500+ relevant businesses within a specific sector or sub-sector, offering clients a holistic view of all potential competitors or acquisition targets. This process goes beyond mere data collection; it involves a thorough examination of companies sourced from a wide range of reliable databases. Each company is individually vetted to ensure it meets our client's specific criteria. Once verified, we gather essential enterprise information such as revenue, EBITDA, ownership structure, key points of contact, and other key data. The result is a powerful knowledge that enables our clients to make informed strategic decisions with confidence.
Buy-Side M&A Search
For clients looking to acquire companies within a certain industry, we periodically provide researched lists of potential targets that meet specific criteria. These criteria often include the company’s product or service offerings, size (e.g., revenue, number of employees), ownership structure, and geographical presence.
Sell-Side M&A Search
In sell-side M&A research, we focus on identifying potential buyers for our client’s business. These buyers might be larger corporations executing strategic acquisitions or private equity groups looking for investment opportunities. The research process is similar to buy-side research, involving the identification and profiling of potential acquirers.