Operator-Led Investment Banking

We bring a builder's perspective to every transaction. Because the best financial strategy is one that understands the operational reality of your business.

An Investment Bank Founded in the C-Suite

Traditional investment banking focuses on the transaction. PICO focuses on the transformation. Our team isn't composed of career bankers; we are seasoned operators who have successfully raised capital, navigated mergers, and executed exits for our own companies. We bring this unparalleled operator's empathy to every engagement, ensuring your financial strategy is perfectly aligned with your long-term business vision.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Expert guidance through every stage of the transaction lifecycle, from strategy to successful integration.

Sell-Side Advisory

Guiding founders and shareholders through the entire process of selling their business, from valuation and positioning to negotiation and closing, to maximize value.

Challenge

Selling the business you've built is a complex, high-stakes process. Founders struggle with valuation, identifying the right buyers, and navigating negotiations without disrupting operations.

Our Approach

Strategic Positioning & Valuation
Confidential Buyer Identification
Due Diligence Management
Operator-Led Negotiation

Key Outcomes

Maximized valuation, a confidential process, favorable deal terms, and a secured legacy.

Buy-Side Advisory

Identifying and executing strategic acquisitions that accelerate growth, expand market share, or acquire key technologies.

Challenge

Executing the right acquisition is critical for growth, but assessing a target's true operational value is difficult. A misstep can lead to costly integration failures.

Our Approach

Target Identification & Vetting
Operational Due Diligence
Valuation & Synergy Analysis
Strategic Negotiation & Execution

Key Outcomes

A strategically aligned acquisition, a clear understanding of integration challenges, and an accelerated growth trajectory.

Post Perger Integration (PMI)

Leveraging our operational expertise to ensure the successful integration of teams, technology, and culture to realize the full value of a transaction.

Challenge

Most mergers fail to create value due to poor integration of people, processes, and technology, not a flawed financial strategy.

Our Approach

100-Day Integration Roadmap
Cultural Alignment Workshops
Tech & Process Consolidation
Synergy Realization Tracking

Key Outcomes

Realization of deal synergies, retention of key talent, a unified company culture, and a faster path to value creation.

Capital Raising

Expert guidance through every stage of the transaction lifecycle, from strategy to successful integration.

Equity Financing

Structuring and executing private placements with a network of venture capital, private equity, and strategic investors. We manage the process from building the financial model and narrative to negotiating terms.

Financing By Stage

The right capital at the right time is critical. We tailor the capital strategy to the specific challenges and opportunities of your current stage.

Seed Stage

For companies that are just ideas or prototypes, seeking to prove their concept.

Purpose:

Provides essential capital for market research, product development, and creating prototypes, enabling startups to validate their business ideas and attract further investment.

Expansion Stage

For companies with a commercially viable product experiencing significant growth.

Purpose:

Funding supports market expansion, product diversification, and scaling operations to meet increasing demand, allowing businesses to capitalize on growth opportunities.

Prototype Stage

For companies with a completed prototype ready to launch.

Purpose:

Funding in this stage is used to refine products, expand teams, and begin marketing efforts, helping businesses transition from development to market entry.

Bridge Stage

The final private stage before a major event like an IPO or acquisition.

Purpose:

Provides capital for strategic activities like mergers or IPOs, allowing companies to solidify their market position and provide returns to investors through exits.

Launch Stage

For companies launching their product into the market.

Purpose:

Capital is directed towards manufacturing, sales, and scaling marketing efforts, enabling companies to establish a market presence and achieve profitability.

Equity Investors

The right investor brings more than just capital—they bring expertise, networks, and strategic alignment. We help you identify which investor profile is the ideal fit for your specific stage so that you secure the perfect partner for your company's DNA and long-term goals.

Angel Investors

High-net-worth individuals who provide capital for startups in exchange for equity, often bringing valuable mentorship and industry connections.

Ideal For

Early-Stage Companies
High-Growth Potential Ventures
Businesses seeking mentorship

Private Equity

Firms that invest in or acquire mature companies to improve operations, fuel growth, or restructure, often bringing deep operational expertise.

Ideal For

Established Companies Needing Restructuring
Companies Seeking Growth Capital
Underperforming Firms

Venture Capital (VC) Funds

Firms that provide large amounts of capital and strategic support to fast-growing startups with disruptive potential, enabling rapid scaling and market entry.

Ideal For

High-Growth Startups
Companies with Innovative Products
Businesses Seeking Networking Opportunities

Stock Market (IPO)

Going public provides access to a large pool of capital from public investors, enabling substantial growth initiatives and providing liquidity for early investors and founders.

Ideal For

Established Companies Seeking Growth Capital
Companies Wanting Increased Visibility
Investors Seeking Liquidity Options

Debt Financing

Advising on optimal debt structures to fuel growth without unnecessary dilution, including commercial loans, equipment financing, and convertible instruments.

Types of Debt Instruments

Commercial Loans

Traditional loans provided by commercial banks & NBFCs where companies borrow a fixed amount and repay it over a predetermined period. They provide access to capital without immediate equity dilution, help finance expansion, and offer a crucial cash injection to stabilize cash flow.

Ideal For

Early-stage companies needing startup capital
Established businesses looking to expand
Companies facing temporary financial challenges
Businesses needing working capital

Line of Credit

A flexible borrowing option that allows businesses to withdraw funds up to a predetermined limit as needed, paying interest only on the amount drawn. It provides immediate liquidity to cover operational expenses and seize growth opportunities.

Ideal For

Startups and small businesses with cash flow constraints
Seasonal businesses needing to cover off-peak expenses
Fast-growing companies requiring quick access to capital
Businesses facing unexpected expenses

Convertible Debentures

A long-term debt instrument that can be converted into common stock at a predetermined time. It provides access to capital without immediate equity dilution, often at lower interest rates, attracting investors willing to accept lower returns for potential equity upside.

Ideal For

Early-stage companies without a proven track record
High-growth potential companies
Firms seeking flexible financing options to avoid fixed repayments
Companies planning major expansions

Equipment Financing

Loans specifically designed for purchasing machinery or equipment, secured by the equipment itself. This allows companies to acquire necessary tools without a significant cash outlay, preserving cash for other operational needs.

Ideal For

Startups needing essential tools
Companies upgrading technology
Firms with growth plans requiring new machinery
Businesses seeking tax benefits

Factoring / Invoice Discounting

A financing method where a business sells its accounts receivable (invoices) to a third party at a discount in exchange for immediate cash. This converts outstanding invoices directly into funds for operational stability and growth.

Ideal For

Businesses facing cash flow challenges due to delayed payments
Fast-growing companies needing immediate capital
Service-based businesses with long payment cycles
Businesses outsourcing collections

IPO Advisory

An IPO is a destination, but the journey to public readiness begins years earlier. Successfully navigating an IPO requires more than financial expertise—it demands operational excellence. As former operators, we prepare your business for the scrutiny of the public markets, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term success.

PICO provides comprehensive readiness assessment and strategic guidance for companies considering a public offering, from positioning and valuation to regulatory compliance.

Challenge

Going public is a transformative event that requires years of preparation. Companies often underestimate the operational and regulatory rigor required to be a successful public entity.

Our Approach

Readiness Assessment
Positioning & Valuation Guidance
Internal Process Development
Regulatory Compliance Prep

Key Outcomes

A clear roadmap to IPO, a de-risked transition process, and a strong foundation for life as a public company.

Detailed IPO Related Services

IPO Readiness Assessment

A thorough evaluation of your financial health, governance, and operational readiness to identify and address any gaps before beginning the IPO process.

ideal For:

Companies considering an IPO
Businesses wanting to align with regulatory expectations
Firms looking to identify compliance gaps

Strategic Planning & Positioning

Developing a compelling narrative that positions your company favorably in the market to enhance visibility and attractiveness to investors.

Ideal For:

Companies wanting to enhance visibility
Businesses aiming to attract a wider investor base
Firms needing to build a strong pre-IPO narrative

Financial Modeling and Valuation

Detailed financial modeling to assess growth strategies, revenue streams, and cost structures, ensuring realistic projections that build investor confidence.

Ideal For:

Businesses needing to build investor confidence
Companies requiring realistic, defensible projections
Firms aligning their valuation with market expectations

Regulatory Compliance

Expert guidance on meeting all regulatory requirements (e.g., SEBI in India), including preparation of necessary documentation and timely disclosures to avoid legal pitfalls.

Ideal For:

Companies needing to avoid legal pitfalls
Businesses aiming to foster trust with investors
Firms requiring accurate and transparent disclosures

Preparation of Prospectus

Assistance in drafting a comprehensive and clear prospectus that contains all relevant company information, financial data, and risk factors.

Ideal For:

Businesses needing to provide clear investor information
Companies aiming to attract investors with a comprehensive document
Firms looking to meet regulatory disclosure guidelines

Investor Relations Strategy

Building an effective investor relations program for clear and consistent communication with stakeholders before, during, and after the IPO.

Ideal For:

Companies wanting to establish strong investor relationships
Businesses looking to enhance confidence in future performance
Firms needing post-IPO communication frameworks

Book-Building & Roadshow

Managing the book-building process to determine demand and set the final offering price, and organizing presentations to potential investors to generate interest.

Ideal For:

Companies aiming to maximize capital raised
Businesses needing to price shares appropriately based on demand
Firms looking to engage key stakeholders directly

Post-IPO Support

Continued advisory to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements and to maintain strong corporate governance and investor relations.

Ideal For:

Newly public companies needing to maintain governance
Businesses aiming to foster lasting investor relationships
Firms requiring ongoing compliance support

Valuation & Financial Modelling

We provide independent, defensible valuations and sophisticated financial models to support critical decisions like fundraising, M&A, and strategic planning.

Challenge

Critical strategic decisions require a clear, defensible understanding of financial value. An inaccurate valuation or flawed model can lead to poor outcomes in fundraising or M&A.

Our Approach

Independent 409A Valuations
M&A Transaction Opinions
Sophisticated Financial Modeling
Strategic Planning Support

Key Outcomes

A defensible valuation, a powerful tool for decision-making, and increased confidence in strategic negotiations.

Divestiture and Carve Outs

PICO provides expert advisory for carving out non-core assets or business units to unlock shareholder value and sharpen strategic focus.

Challenge

Carving out a business unit is operationally complex. Separating entangled assets, teams, and financials requires surgical precision to unlock value without disrupting the core business.

Our Approach

Asset Identification & Valuation
Separation Planning & Execution
Buyer Identification
Transaction Negotiation

Key Outcomes

Maximized value for non-core assets, sharpened strategic focus for the parent company, and a clean separation.

Client Speak

PICO was essential in our post-merger integration process. Their strategic guidance helped us align our teams and streamline operations seamlessly. Thanks to their expertise, we’ve successfully unified our systems and enhanced our service offerings, positioning us for future growth.״

COO - World's largest gift card company

Why Us

Operator's Perspective

We've sat on your side of the table. We structure deals with a deep understanding of the operational realities that follow.

IIM Alumni Network

Our deep connections within the IIM ecosystem provide unparalleled access to capital, expertise, and strategic opportunities.

Execution-Focused

Our role doesn't end at the close. We leverage our consulting DNA to support post-transaction success, from integration to growth.

Ready to Architect Your Company's Financial Future?

Whether you are considering a sale, an acquisition, or a strategic capital raise, our team is ready to build a tailored strategy for your business. Let's start a confidential conversation.

Inquire About Investment Banking

Operator-Led Investment Banking

An Investment Bank Founded in the C-Suite

Mergers & Acquisitions

Sell-Side Advisory

Challenge

Our Approach

Key Outcomes

Buy-Side Advisory

Challenge

Our Approach

Key Outcomes

Post Perger Integration (PMI)

Challenge

Our Approach

Key Outcomes

Client Speak

Why Us

Operator's Perspective

IIM Alumni Network

Execution-Focused

Ready to Architect Your Company's Financial Future?

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