Acqwired, a company co-founded by Dan Herr, CEO, and Irfan Durmus, CTO, recently emerged from 18 months of stealth development to launch its innovative Deal Sourcing Operating System (OS). This platform aims to streamline the process of identifying and engaging with potential acquisition targets in the private equity (PE) sector, addressing a significant issue: the disproportionate amount of time PE professionals spend on manual, low-value tasks. The inefficiency in deal sourcing is a well-known problem, with investment teams often dedicating up to 95% of their time to manually reviewing spreadsheets and databases, leaving only a small fraction for relationship building, which is crucial for successful dealmaking. Acqwired's solution employs advanced AI agents to automate these tedious tasks, allowing dealmakers to focus on building trust-filled relationships with founders and closing deals efficiently. Specifically targeting the lower middle market, Acqwired's platform caters to a highly competitive segment where 4,000 U.S. firms vie for deals, yet only 400 have dedicated sourcing teams. The operating system integrates seamlessly with leading CRMs like Salesforce,DealCloud, and Affinity, as well as data providers such as SourceScrub. This integration operationalizes AI-driven decision-making at the core of the investment process, ensuring that firms can quickly prioritize and engage with the most promising targets. During the development phase, the platform was tested by firms managing a combined $200 billion in assets, receiving positive feedback and being described as mission-critical for their deal sourcing strategies. Pilot firms reported that Acqwired helped them uncover multiple $100 million+ Total Enterprise Value (TEV) opportunities, underscoring the platform's high return on investment (ROI). Key features of Acqwired’s operating system include: - AI-Powered Research: Advanced algorithms identify companies that fit a firm's investment criteria, reducing the need for manual data management. - Alternative Data Ingestion: The platform can integrate various data sources, providing comprehensive insights that might otherwise remain hidden. - Customizable Scoring: Teams can tailor the scoring system to their specific needs, ensuring that the most relevant targets are prioritized. - Systematic Engagement: AI helps in systematically reaching out to potential targets, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of outreach efforts. The platform’s success during the beta testing phase highlights its potential to revolutionize the PE industry. For instance, one firm found that the AI-driven system reduced the time spent on data management by 70%, allowing them to focus more on strategic tasks. Another firm reported a 30% increase in deal flow quality, thanks to the platform's ability to surface high-fit opportunities before competitors. Dan Herr, a seasoned PE professional with over a decade of experience, identified the inefficiencies firsthand. After building a buyside firm and scaling deal flow at Serent Capital, he decided to tackle the issue by leveraging machine learning (ML). His initial ML model, which outperformed traditional methods, became the foundation for Acqwired. Herr’s background as a Cornell-trained engineer and MBA holder equips him with both technical and business acumen, making him a formidable leader in this space. He co-hosts the "Deal Sourcery" podcast and resides in Lake Tahoe with his family. Irfan Durmus, Acqwired’s CTO, brings over 20 years of experience in building and automating enterprise-grade systems. Prior to Acqwired, he was the Chief Software Architect at ESW Capital, where he spearheaded large-scale automation initiatives that significantly reduced operational costs. At Acqwired, Durmus applies his expertise in distributed systems, backend architecture, and applied AI to transform messy data into actionable intelligence, ensuring that PE professionals can make faster, more informed decisions. Industry insiders have praised Acqwired’s approach to PE deal sourcing. According to a lead investor at a prominent PE firm, "Acqwired’s platform is a game-changer. It not only saves time but also enhances the quality of our deal pipelines, giving us a significant edge in the market." The company’s innovative use of AI and its strategic focus on the lower middle market position it as a strong contender in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. As PE firms continue to seek ways to optimize their operations, Acqwired’s Deal Sourcing OS stands out as a solution that could fundamentally alter the dynamics of deal sourcing in the sector. Acqwired is currently offering early access to its platform on an invite-only basis. Professionals interested in using the tool can apply for access at www.acqwired.com. With a combined $200 billion in assets under management (AUM) from its early adopters, Acqwired is well-positioned to drive transformative change in the private equity industry.