Data Led, Executive Enhanced

Outsourced deal origination &
market intelligence

We help private equity funds, corporate finance advisors, and acquisitive corporates find, validate, and access high-quality off-market opportunities — combining AI-powered sourcing with executive-level insight.

Start a Conversation How We Work

The Guidesource Method

Three capabilities. One integrated approach.

We don't just find targets — we validate them through people who've built and exited businesses in the same sectors.

AI-Led Sourcing

We screen a universe of 360m+ companies using AI-driven filters — ownership signals, growth triggers, financial proxies, and sector alignment — to surface high-fit opportunities ahead of the market.

Market Intelligence

We map sectors, regions, and themes tailored to your strategy — identifying the landscape of businesses worth pursuing before digging into individual targets. No noise, just signal.

Executive Access

Our network of NEDs, Chairs, and exited CEOs provides warm introductions to founder-led targets, proprietary sector insight, and real diligence support you won't find in a database.

Who We Work With

Built for the people who source deals.

Whether you're originating for a fund, advising on a sale, or building through acquisition — we plug in where you need us.

Private Equity & Investors

Find what's not on the market yet.

We help PE funds, family offices, and institutional investors source proprietary, off-market opportunities — surfacing founder-led businesses, overlooked assets, and strategic carve-outs aligned to your thesis.

Thematic sector mapping AI-filtered target shortlists Executive validation & warm access Ongoing deal flow monitoring

Corporate Finance Advisors

Win more mandates. Originate at scale.

We act as your retained, white-label origination engine — embedded within your team, operating under your brand, and delivering a consistent pipeline of qualified meetings and mandates across your service lines.

White-label BD under your brand Retained origination campaigns PE coverage & buyer mapping Pitch support via executive insight

Acquisitive Corporates

Build your pipeline before it hits the market.

For PE-backed platforms and serial acquirers running buy-and-build strategies, we identify and engage bolt-on targets — mapping fragmented sectors, qualifying opportunities, and opening doors through executive networks.

Buy-and-build target mapping Bolt-on pipeline development Executive introductions to targets Sector intelligence & validation

Our Process

From alignment to access in weeks, not months.

A structured, repeatable approach — whether it's a one-off project or a retained origination partnership.

Define

Align on strategy, sectors, target profiles, and deal criteria.

Map

AI-led screening across 360m+ companies. Tailored market landscape.

Curate

Executive-validated shortlists. Human judgment layered on data.

Engage

Personalised outreach via direct and executive-led channels.

Deliver

Qualified meetings, mandates, and ongoing deal flow.

Track Record

Proven outcomes across sectors.

A selection of recent origination projects.

Buy-Side Origination

European Co-Packing — Off-Market Opportunity

We aligned on the fund's thesis — £0.5–3m EBITDA co-packing businesses with succession potential. AI-led screening mapped 94 relevant targets, narrowed to 26 priorities, with five conversations opened through executive-led channels. One proprietary opportunity emerged pre-process, with two former sector CEOs now advising through diligence.

Targets mapped

Shortlisted

Conversations opened

Proprietary deal

CF Advisory — Mandate Win

Competitive Pitch Support for CF Advisor

We mapped 68 UK-based businesses aligned to the advisor's sector focus, filtering to 55 priority targets. Targeted outreach opened four conversations, one of which led to a competitive pitch against three other CF firms. We engaged a former founder and sector advisors to provide intel — helping the client deliver a sharper angle and win the mandate.

Targets mapped

Prioritised

In conversation

Mandate won

The Team

Meet the team.

Corporate finance origination meets executive search — combining data-led sourcing with real-world access.

David Kola

Managing Director

David specialises in AI-powered deal origination and market intelligence. With a background in corporate finance and private equity advisory, he combines data-driven analytics with executive insight to source proprietary, off-market opportunities. He leads Guidesource's technology-enabled sourcing capability and client delivery.

James Walker