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Private Equity - Structured analyses for complex investment issues

confluentes is one of Germany's leading student consulting firms. With over 2,000 consultants from the WHU network, we support companies of all sizes with strategic expertise and fresh perspectives. Our project teams advise companies in a wide range of sectors, including start-ups & VC, SMEs, corporates, banks, private equity, and consulting.

confluentes hat bereits zahlreiche Start-ups bei den verschiedensten Projekten erfolgreich unterstützen können. Auch bei außergewöhnlichen Projekten stehen wir Ihnen gerne zur Seite. Haben Sie eine spezielle Projektanfrage? Fordern Sie jetzt Ihr unverbindliches Angebot an.

Excerpts of our services in a private equity context

01

Customer & expert interviews

Structured interviews with customers, decision makers and experts to classify market assumptions, customer needs and decision-making processes, nationally and internationally.

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Market & competition research

Well-founded market analyses to assess market sizes, growth potential and competitive landscapes based on research, interviews and data-based analysis.

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Commercial Due Diligence (CDD)

Transaction-related commercial due diligence through structured analysis of market attractiveness, customer structure and competitive position.

A selection of clients

The student consulting firm confluentes successfully advises companies of all sizes and industries, from SMEs to multinational corporations.

Numbers don't lie

150+
Projects per year
400+
Clients around the wold
2.000+
Consultants
33+
Years of experience

Selection of consultants

Antonia Thiel

WHU BSc 2024
Antonia Thiel
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Bridgepoint
Private Equity Intern
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UBS
Investment Banking Intern
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MCF Corporate Finance
M&A Intern
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Alvarez & Marsal
Transaction Advisory Services

David Gazarian

WHU BSc 2023
David Gazarian
»
McKinsey & Company
Fellow Intern
»
KKR
Private Equity Intern
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Picus Capital
Seed & Series A Investor (Intern)
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Morgan Stanley
Off-Cycle Intern IBD

Christina Lips

WHU BSc 2025
Christina Lips
»
Deutsche Bank
Investment Banking Intern
»
Crédit Agricole CIB
Investment Banking Intern
»
»

Project examples

01

Project example 01: Customer & expert interviews

Validate key investment hypotheses before signing
As part of a planned majority stake in a European B2B service provider, confluentes e.V. supported a private equity firm in the qualitative validation of key market and customer assumptions. The aim was to identify the attractiveness of the business model and potential risks from the customer's perspective at an early stage.
For this purpose, structured interviews were conducted with existing customers, former customers, decision makers on the customer side and independent industry experts. The focus was on purchasing criteria, willingness to price and change, the perceived degree of differentiation and the sustainability of customer relationships. The results were consolidated, critically assessed and clearly mapped to the relevant investment hypotheses.

» 

The interviews gave us a very clear picture of which assumptions are viable and where we needed to take a closer look. The structured preparation in line with our investment thesis was particularly valuable.

«

Investment Director, private equity firm
02

Project example 02: Market & competition research

Classification of market size, growth and competition intensity
For a mid-market private equity firm, confluentes e.V. carried out a well-founded market and competition analysis in advance of a potential platform investment. The aim was to reliably classify market size, growth prospects and structural drivers as well as competitive dynamics.
For a mid-market private equity firm, confluentes e.V. carried out a well-founded market and competition analysis in advance of a potential platform investment. The aim was to reliably classify market size, growth prospects and structural drivers as well as competitive dynamics.

» 

The market analysis was tailored precisely to our questions, in particular decision-oriented. The clear structuring of the competitive environment was particularly helpful.

«

Principal, private equity firm
03

Project example 03: Commercial Due Diligence (CDD)

Holistic commercial evaluation in a transaction context
As part of a buy-side commercial due diligence, an international private equity firm commissioned confluentes e.V. to independently assess the commercial attractiveness of a target in the B2B segment. The aim was to present opportunities, risks and value levers transparently and to sharpen the basis for decision-making by the Investment Committee.
The CDD included an integrated analysis of market attractiveness, customer structure, and competitive position. In addition to market and competition research, structured customer and expert interviews were carried out and evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. The results were prepared in a focused manner and clearly related to the investment thesis.

» 

The CDD has significantly sharpened our view of the target. Risks and potentials were clearly identified and clearly derived. A very reliable basis for the IC decision.

«

Partner, private equity firm

A typical project flow with confluentes

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The perfect match for every project

confluentes' structure guarantees optimal project staffing– with efficient communication channels and the transparent allocation of responsibilities.

Client

We deeply value the cooperation with our customers. Together, we turn ideas into successful projects and deliver results, that impress.

Executive board

The Executive Board serves as your primary contact, overseeing the project scope definition, proposal preparation, assembly of the optimal team, and coordination throughout the project lifecycle. Learn more about the Executive Board: Executive Board

Consultant team

The assembled team of consultants is responsible for the successful execution of the project. Throughout the project, the team can be adjusted as needed, with the inclusion of additional consultants from our talent pool at any time.

Talentpool

Talented and committed students and alumni with a wide range of skills, seniority levels and language are available to you. Meet a selection of our consultants now: Consultants

Advisory board

If needed, the Advisory Board is available to support the active Board with its wealth of experience and expertise, if needed. Discover more about the Advisory Board now: Advisory board

Quality through first-class education at WHU – Financial Times Ranking:

WHU Vallendar

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is a renowned business school that focusses on excellent management education. Founded in 1984, it has emerged as one of Germany's leading business schools. Students benefit from an extensive network of partner universities, companies and alumni. WHU has an excellent reputation in national and international rankings by renowned organizations such as Financial Times, The Economist and Wirtschaftswoche. For comprehensive insights into the various rankings, we suggest referring to the latest ranking overview.

WHU Vallendar
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The confluentes PE DACH Report
Download now!

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Megatrends, new trends and developments in 2024 that shaped the PE landscape

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Overview of the latest macroeconomic developments in the field of PE in the roof area and their influence on the PE landscape

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Industry-specific opportunities and sector analyses as well as case studies on projects completed by confluentes for PE funds