The 10 second story
DiligenceSquared has launched AI voice agents that conduct customer interviews during mergers and acquisitions due diligence, replacing expensive management consultants. The startup’s technology can interview dozens of customers automatically, gathering the same intelligence that private equity firms normally pay consultants six-figure sums to collect.
Why it matters
Traditional due diligence for acquisitions costs UK businesses tens of thousands of pounds, often delaying deals for months while consultants manually interview customers and suppliers. This AI approach cuts both time and cost dramatically, making thorough due diligence accessible to smaller deals that couldn’t justify the expense before. For business owners considering acquisitions or preparing to sell, this shift means more competition in the market and faster deal cycles, but also higher expectations for transparency since comprehensive research becomes the norm rather than a luxury.
What this means for your business
- Due diligence costs for acquisitions drop from consultant day rates of £2,000+ to software subscription pricing, making smaller deals economically viable
- Deal timelines compress from months to weeks as AI agents can interview dozens of stakeholders simultaneously rather than consultants working sequentially
- The bar for acquisition research rises across the market, meaning buyers will expect more comprehensive customer intelligence even on smaller transactions