What is the value of using PitchBook compared to a DIY approach, including detailed financial justifications

Written By: Gerald O’Dwyer III 

The PE Guru — Blackmore Partners, Inc | August 22, 2024

****Read at least 3 times****

 

What is the value of using PitchBook compared to a DIY approach, including detailed financial justifications:

 

  1. Leadership Roles

Using PitchBook:

  • Identifying High-Growth Companies:
    • PitchBook Value: Access to data on 950,000+ companies, including financials, growth trends, and executive movements, allows you to efficiently identify firms that are expanding or restructuring.
    • Time Saved: Manually sourcing this information could take weeks of research per company.
    • Estimated Time Saved per Year: 200 hours (approx. 5 hours per company for 40 companies).
    • Hourly Rate: $300/hour.
    • Value of Time Saved: 200 hours * $300/hour = $60,000.

DIY Approach:

  • Manual Research: Sifting through news, LinkedIn, and company websites.
    • Time Required: 5 hours per company.
    • Cost of Time: 40 companies * 5 hours/company * $300/hour = $60,000.
    • Efficiency Loss: Potential to miss out on less-publicized opportunities due to lack of comprehensive data.

 

  1. Board Roles

Using PitchBook:

  • Targeting PE Firms with Portfolio Companies:
    • PitchBook Value: Direct access to a database of PE firms and their portfolio companies. You can filter by firm size, investment focus, and industry to find the best fit.
    • Time Saved: PitchBook allows for targeted searches, reducing the need for extensive networking and cold outreach.
    • Estimated Time Saved per Year: 150 hours (approx. 10 hours per PE firm for 15 firms).
    • Value of Time Saved: 150 hours * $300/hour = $45,000.

DIY Approach:

  • Networking and Research:
    • Time Required: 10 hours per PE firm through networking, cold outreach, and manual research.
    • Cost of Time: 15 firms * 10 hours/firm * $300/hour = $45,000.
    • Risk: Higher risk of connecting with firms that don’t align with your expertise, leading to wasted effort.

 

  1. PE Advisory Roles

Using PitchBook:

  • Finding Firms Actively Seeking Advisors:
    • PitchBook Value: Ability to search for PE firms actively seeking advisors for portfolio companies.
    • Time Saved: Streamlined access to firm details and current needs.
    • Estimated Time Saved per Year: 100 hours (approx. 5 hours per advisory opportunity for 20 opportunities).
    • Value of Time Saved: 100 hours * $300/hour = $30,000.

DIY Approach:

  • Manual Outreach and Research:
    • Time Required: 5 hours per advisory opportunity through networking and research.
    • Cost of Time: 20 opportunities * 5 hours/opportunity * $300/hour = $30,000.
    • Uncertainty: Lower success rate in finding the right opportunities due to less focused search capabilities.

 

  1. Consulting Opportunities

Using PitchBook:

  • Accessing Companies in Need of Consultants:
    • PitchBook Value: Use the platform to identify companies that are restructuring or expanding, which may require consulting services.
    • Time Saved: Quickly identify and target companies, minimizing the need for broad, unfocused outreach.
    • Estimated Time Saved per Year: 120 hours (approx. 4 hours per consulting lead for 30 leads).
    • Value of Time Saved: 120 hours * $300/hour = $36,000.

DIY Approach:

  • Broad Outreach and Cold Leads:
    • Time Required: 4 hours per consulting lead through LinkedIn, referrals, and cold outreach.
    • Cost of Time: 30 leads * 4 hours/lead * $300/hour = $36,000.
    • Success Rate: Potentially lower conversion rates due to lack of pre-qualified leads.

Total Value Comparison

  • Using PitchBook:
      • Total Value of Time Saved: $60,000 + $45,000 + $30,000 + $36,000 = $171,000.
      • Investment in PitchBook: $28,000.
      • Net ROI: $171,000 – $28,000 = $143,000.
  • DIY Approach:
    • Total Cost of Time: $171,000.
    • Out-of-Pocket Cost: None.
    • Net Cost: $171,000.

 

Conclusion

The PitchBook subscription provides a significant return on investment by saving substantial time and increasing the effectiveness of your search for leadership roles, board roles, PE roles, advisory roles, and consulting opportunities. The net ROI of using PitchBook is $143,000 versus the DIY approach, making it a highly justified investment.