Digital performance drives exit value, but most diligence barely touches it.

Essen gives private equity, venture, and advisory teams the insight they need to validate growth, protect valuations, and avoid post-close surprises.

THE PROBLEM

Most diligence frameworks were designed for static businesses—not digital ecosystems.

In these ecosystems, one misstep—like oversimplifying lifetime value—can significantly distort valuation. But the costliest misstep is also the most common: ignoring the ecosystem altogether.

50%

of buyouts face post-close digital surprises

65%

increase in customer acquisition costs since 2019

5Y increase in customer acquisition costs

3.8x

higher exit values for digitally mature companies

increase in exit value for digitally maturity

OUR SOLUTION

We evaluate digital performance in the context of what investors actually value.

We link customer behavior to the financial inputs that drive valuation—revenue quality, margin structure, retention curve, and return potential.

Validate and Normalize Data

Test the accuracy of historical performance models, then remove distortions to ensure accurate valuations and forecasts.

Uncover True Customer Value

Determine actual customer value by analyzing post-acquisition behavior and its cumulative impact on EBITDA and free cash flow.

Link Growth Levers to EBITDA

Go beyond channel-level assessment to understand how interdependencies deliver incremental EBITDA or conceal losses.

Validate and Normalize Data

Test the accuracy of historical performance models, then remove distortions to ensure accurate valuations and forecasts.

Uncover True Customer Value

Determine actual customer value by analyzing post-acquisition behavior and its cumulative impact on EBITDA and free cash flow.

Link Growth Levers to EBITDA

Go beyond channel-level assessment to understand how interdependencies deliver incremental EBITDA or conceal losses.

Validate and Normalize Data

Test the accuracy of historical performance models, then remove distortions to ensure accurate valuations and forecasts.

Uncover True Customer Value

Determine actual customer value by analyzing post-acquisition behavior and its cumulative impact on EBITDA and free cash flow.

Link Growth Levers to EBITDA

Go beyond channel-level assessment to understand how interdependencies deliver incremental EBITDA or conceal losses.

Validate and Normalize Data

Test the accuracy of historical performance models, then remove distortions to ensure accurate valuations and forecasts.

Uncover True Customer Value

Determine actual customer value by analyzing post-acquisition behavior and its cumulative impact on EBITDA and free cash flow.

Link Growth Levers to EBITDA

Go beyond channel-level assessment to understand how interdependencies deliver incremental EBITDA or conceal losses.

ABOUT ESSEN

As operators, we've deployed over $500 million in growth capital and contributed to $2 billion in exits.

As operators, we've deployed over $500M in growth capital and contributed to $2B in exits.

We’ve seen when missed signals lead to overlooked value because we’ve had to win it back. We believe diligence is how you avoid the same fate.

Get in touch

Connect with Essen to explore an engagement, learn more about our methodology, or receive a sample analysis.

Connect with Essen to explore an engagement, learn more about our methodology, or receive a sample analysis.