Delhi-based dMACQ offers browser-based applications to map M&A life cycle

Delhi-based dMACQ Software Pvt Ltd, which launched its browser-based applications tailored to map the entire mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal life cycle for strategic corporate acquirers and financial investors such as private equity or the advisory community, is eyeing Asian, European and US markets, according to a top executive of the company.

The company, which launched its applications for the mergers and acquisitions eco-system at TechCircle Demo India event last month, was set up in March 2011 by chartered accountant Srikant Krishnan and Dr. S Narayanan, a PhD in computer science.

"Transparency in M&A deals is a key issue. There is a need for greater regulatory compliances with globalisation of Indian companies. Our products address this," said founder and MD Krishnan, who has over 20 years of experience in accounting profession and M&A processes.

During his stint with various firms in the past, Krishnan noticed that clients spent enormous amount of time and effort to retrospect the deals they entered into. Some needed support in speeding up integration and value creation, while others were battling claims and litigations post acquisition. None of these large corporates had a structured technology-based application to execute their acquisitions.

"When we realised that even in such mature markets in Europe or the US, where large serial acquirers are not using any technology-based application to execute M&A projects, we realised an opportunity," he said.

dMACQ offers five products which are customizable: Deal-flow Management to manage deal pipeline, Deal-execution Management for M&A practitioners, Portfolio Management for integrated portfolio management, reporting, business analytics and LP reporting, Relationship Management to manage stakeholders and relationships and DMS to provide advanced document management system.

The products are available as stand-alone licensed products as well as SaaS.

"Our USP is that our tools ensure information security. Besides, it comes with pre-loaded content with best practice aides, checklists, process letters, typical due diligence issues, etc which can be used by first time as well as serial acquirers," he added.

A pre-revenue startup, dMACQ has been running in beta since late 2012 and has signed up more than 30 customers, he claimed.

The company has its second office in Mumbai in India. It is also targeting other Asian markets including Singapore and Europe to expand operations. The company will soon open offices in Singapore and Switzerland. It is looking to raise $1 million VC funding for expansion as well as for R&D, Krishnan said.

The company estimates an opportunity worth over $100 million for dMACQ, combining the Western Europe and India markets. This is based on latest M&A volume for 2012 and number of companies that were actively engaged in executing M&A deals in these markets, Krishnan said.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)