Pre-Investment & M&A Intelligence
We specialize in providing deep, forward-looking intelligence to support critical investment and M&A decisions—before the term sheet is signed. Our Pre-Investment & M&A Intelligence service equips investors, corporates, and advisors with the clarity needed to make confident decisions in high-stakes transactions. We help investors and strategic acquirers uncover the risks and realities that don’t show up in financial models—because the real threats to deal value often lie off the balance sheet. Our intelligence includes thorough background checks on key stakeholders, identification of undisclosed risks, mapping of influence networks, and geopolitical risk evaluations. Whether you’re leading a cross-border acquisition, backing an emerging-market founder, or taking a minority position in a high-growth startup—we help you see what others miss. At Aretia Advisors, we believe that informed decisions are the cornerstone of successful investments. Because in high-stakes investments, it’s not just what you know—it’s what you didn’t think to ask.
Pre-Investment and M&A Intelligence
- Red flag reports
- Target company profiling
- Key person due diligence
Case Study 1
Key Highlight: Uncovering Hidden Risks - The Influence of Key Management on Investment Decisions.
During an investigationon a European companyfor investment related due diligence purposes, no negative findings could be identified related to the company. However, when the investigation turned towards the key management personnel and shareholders of the company, certain negative findings were uncovered. A key managerial person who was a Director and the majority shareholder of the target company was found to have his personal phone number listed as a contact number on the social media account of another company based in West Africa. This was a suspicious finding as the above-mentioned key managerial person had disclosed to not have any business ties in any country apart from the one where the target company was registered. Further investigations revealed the key managerial person of the target company was also a Director and shareholder of the West African company. When we investigated the West African company there were several negative media about the company allegedly being involved in forced labor and “modern slavery”. Although no risks could be identified on the target company, the key managerial person was highly influential on the target company’s business due to him being a board member and majority shareholder.
Case Study 2
Key Highlight:Reputational & Familial Risk Assessment of Key Management Personnel
During a reputational risk review as part of a Fund of Funds due diligence exercise on a UK-based investment management firm, our initial assessment did not reveal any direct red flags against the firm itself. However, one of the firm’s Managing Directors drew our attention due to his unusually rapid career progression—rising to a senior role just three years after graduation, with no notable industry background or association with a top-tier academic institution.
Our investigation revealed that the individual was an Argentinian national who had recently relocated to the UK. The only detail provided by our client regarding his family background was his mother’s maiden name. Leveraging this limited data point, we conducted targeted research in Argentina.
Our inquiry surfaced multiple media reports linking an individual with the same surname to high-profile corruption and money laundering investigations. This person had allegedly served as a “preferred financier” to a former senior Argentine government official. Further scrutiny revealed that several companies owned by this individual had hosted the Subject during his summer internships—raising questions about professional affiliations. One article also referenced the financier’s spouse, whose name matched the maiden name provided for the Subject’s mother.
Following this, we reverted to the client requesting additional family information, which confirmed that the Subject’s parents’ names aligned with those of the individuals mentioned in the Argentine investigations.
Our Pre-Investment & M&A Intelligence report proved decisive in equipping the client with a nuanced understanding of reputational and indirect risk factors associated with a potential acquisition target. While initial assessments reflected no direct adverse findings, advanced intelligence techniques unveiled critical familial linkages and non-obvious associations that pointed to possible reputational vulnerabilities.