We have automated our delivery processes using custom AI tools, but the buyer's valuation model is sticking to generic physical service provider multiples. How do we use the Ankura quantitative valuation framework to prove our technological leverage deserves a premium multiple?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Buyers will always try to pigeonhole your business into a lower industry classification to save money. If you have built custom AI tools that drive superior efficiency, you cannot rely on generic local comps. You must use a sophisticated, data-driven approach to prove your value. The Ankura quantitative valuation framework is designed exactly for this. By using regression-based models trained on comprehensive market data, you can demonstrate how your superior operating margins and utilization rates translate directly into a lower risk profile and higher enterprise value. Do not just tell the buyer your software is great; show them the numbers. Present your financial metrics alongside publicly listed companies to show that your business operates more like a high-growth tech-enabled service than a legacy manual provider. In EOS® terms, your AI dispatch system is your unique proprietary process, a key component of your V/TO®. Show the buyer how this technology is fully integrated into your daily operations and how it reduces labor costs. By combining the rigorous regression data from the Ankura framework with clear evidence of your operational efficiency, you build an ironclad case for a premium multiple that the buyer's investment committee cannot ignore.