CLIENT STORY · PRIVATE EQUITY

About Sagard

Sagard is one of the most active technology-focused growth equity investors in Europe. Their deal team operates in complex, fast-moving verticals where firsthand customer intelligence is decisive and where generic market research cannot answer the questions that matter at IC.

The situation

In the supply chain software space, Sagard needed a thought partner capable of supporting every stage of the investment process, from actionable sector knowledge supported by our product to efficient pre-deal qualification through rigorous CDD to ongoing portfolio value creation.

The core challenge: supply chain software is a sector where competitive dynamics, customer retention signals, and platform stickiness can look very different depending on who you talk to. Understanding the market from the customer's perspective was a critical factor at each investment stage.

How we worked together

Dedale was engaged on Sunstice (formerly FuturMaster) first, initially for a light-touch diligence work ("Phase 0") to validate the investment thesis, then for a full-scope CDD as the process advanced, and subsequently for post-deal portfolio value-creation support including geographical expansion opportunity assessments. The same pattern repeated on KBRW.

Across all processes, Dedale provided the qualitative, primary intelligence backbone that supported both deal conviction and PortCo growth strategy.

Use cases covered

• ‍Pre-deal qualification ('Phase 0'): light-touch, targeted exercise to gather preliminary but actionable competitive and customer intelligence before committing to a process.‍
• Full CDD: full-scope commercial due diligence covering market framework and sizing, competitive landscape and dynamics, detailed voice of the customers, thorough business plan or growth outlook assessments, supported by structured expert interviews with customers, competitors, and market participants.‍
• Supply chain market mapping: vendor mapping and strategies, competitive positioning.‍
• Post-investment portfolio value creation: geographical expansion, adjacency mapping and product expansion, M&A screening including target profiling.

The outcome

Across multiple investments within the Supply Chain software space with Sunstice (formerly FuturMaster) and KBRW, Dedale has become Sagard's expert thought partner with a repeatable intelligence workflow. The model shortens time-to-conviction at pre-deal stage, delivers IC-ready outputs with primary research grounding, and continues to create value post-closing as portfolio companies pursue expansion strategies.