Management consulting firm Novo Advisors has launched a new Value Creation practice aimed at helping private equity, venture capital and other investor-backed businesses improve financial performance and operational execution.
The Chicago- and New York-based firm said the new offering will focus on areas including go-to-market strategies, financial controls, operational efficiency, organisational design and the use of artificial intelligence to improve business performance.
The practice is designed for companies where operational challenges are limiting the potential underpinning an investment thesis. Novo said its approach brings together commercial, financial, operational and organisational capabilities rather than addressing individual functions in isolation.
Sandeep Gupta, founding partner of Novo Advisors, said the firm’s value creation capabilities had become increasingly relevant as market conditions have tightened, with its approach focused on transparency, measurable results and financial metrics.
The launch comes as private equity firms contend with longer holding periods and increasing pressure to demonstrate operational improvements within portfolio companies. Novo said average holding periods have approached eight years, increasing the importance of financial reviews and value creation initiatives both midway through an investment and ahead of an exit.
The firm’s approach incorporates data-readiness assessments and dashboards designed to give investors and management teams greater visibility into key business drivers, with the aim of identifying opportunities for growth and preparing businesses for potential exits.
The new practice is being led by Gupta and partner Rian Branning. The team also includes Nicole Brownell, a technology-sector operator; Todd Hawkins, who specialises in performance transformation across industrials, manufacturing and operations; and Yvette Kennedy, an organisational consultant and workforce transformation executive.
Additional members include strategy and operations consultant Paul Kostolansky, healthcare and life sciences specialist Kevin Neuman, and Wen Rittsteuer, an executive focused on growth and interim leadership during periods of transition.
Novo Advisors said the expanded team will support investor-backed companies across a range of operational and financial challenges, with the practice intended to provide a coordinated approach to value creation from investment through to exit.
