Buy & Build Expertise

Driving IT Value in
Buy and Build

The New Paradigm: Beyond Pure M&A Arithmetic.
Value in buy and build has historically been transactional first. Today's market demands real synergies —and that comes through good systems, data, and AI.

20+ buy-and-build platforms partnered with Stratos
Supported acquisitions from €500k to €10M+ EBITDA
Loic Moisand

"At every step of its journey, a buy and build does not need the same IT structure. You need planning, know what systems and data will look like at €5M, €10M, €30M EBITDA—and then deliver the roadmap, step by step."

— Loic Moisand, Partner, Stratos

Our Approach & Services

M&A Targets

Technology Due Diligence

Before you sign the LOI, we audit target companies across seven critical dimensions. We identify hidden technical liabilities.

IT Strategy

Thesis-Aligned IT Roadmaps

Selective harmonization. If your thesis hinges on cross-selling, we prioritize CRM. Invest where it moves the needle.

PMI

Post-Merger Integration

Consolidated financial reporting in week one, critical system migrations by week eight. Absorb acquisitions at pace.

Finance

Consolidated Reporting

Centralized data hubs that automatically consolidate financial, operational, and commercial data. Real-time dashboards.

Growth

Cross-Sell Infrastructure

Unify customer data and build account intelligence across entities to grow relationships systematically.

Legacy

Tool Assessment

We evaluate proprietary tools: Keep and refactor, migrate to SaaS, or sunset? We bring in experienced CTOs.

Organization

Platform IT Capability

Stage IT maturity to match complexity. From fractional CTO support to full internal capability with managed services.

Financing Prep

Data Governance

Establish frameworks that become valuation drivers: unified data models, automated pipelines, and access controls.

The Roadmap: Maturity Timeline

Hover over the phases to see the strategy (Desktop)

Phase 1: Early Stages
<€5M EBITDA

Establish light-touch infrastructure for consolidated financial reporting.

IT/Data Strategy

Build repeatable integration playbooks and define data standards.

Next Stage Prep

Engage fractional CTO to design scaling architecture.

Phase 2: Backbone
€5-10M EBITDA

Deploy centralized data hub and BI layer to consolidate operational data.

IT/Data Strategy

Implement formal 90-day PMI playbooks to accelerate acquisition velocity.

Next Stage Prep

Build API-first integration layer, hire internal IT coordinator.

Phase 3: Platform
€10-30M EBITDA

Migrate to enterprise-grade ERP with multi-entity architecture.

IT/Data Strategy

Achieve SOC 2/ISO 27001 compliance. API-first architecture.

Next Stage Prep

Hire full-time CTO, migrate to cloud-native infrastructure.

Phase 4: Exit-Ready
€30-100M EBITDA

Operate modern cloud-native stack with comprehensive data governance.

IT/Data Strategy

Deploy AI/ML for predictive analytics. Tech as valuation premium.

Exit Prep

Run mock technical DD, eliminate key person dependencies.

Industry Specialization

Accounting Services

Consolidating fragmented firms running different GLs (Sage, Cegid, Xero).

Focus: ERP Unification

Wealth Management

Integrating client portfolios while navigating compliance (MIFID II).

Focus: Datalake & Security

MSP & IT Services

We unify PSA (ConnectWise/Autotask) and RMM tools.

Focus: Staff & Procurement

Clinics & Vet Groups

Harmonizing Patient Management Systems (PMS) without disrupting care.

Focus: Datahub & Procurement

Professional Services

Moving from Excel-based staffing to centralized Resource Planning.

Focus: Resource Planning

Customer Stories

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February 4, 2026

Discipline Before Digitalization. EFOR's Buy and Build Successful Story

EFOR scaled to €300m revenue with minimal digital infrastructure. Post-LBO, Stratos audited CVO's legacy tech during acquisition, designed a scalable stack, and built foundations for digitalization—time tracking, revenue dashboards, and a playbook for future M&A integrations.

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February 4, 2026

Omnes: Building a Scalable IT Backbone for Medical Distribution Consolidation

Omnes Medical partnered with Stratos to design a unified IT framework for its aggressive buy-and-build strategy. By standardizing finance ERP and a central CRM, they created a "plug-and-play" infrastructure to integrate diverse SMEs while preserving operational agility

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February 4, 2026

Preserving Theop’s Secret Sauce for Tracking Projects

How do you scale through acquisitions without breaking what works? Florac-backed Theop grew rapidly while preserving team workflows—by building simple, unified reporting systems that created visibility across entities without disrupting success.

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Insights

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January 10, 2025

Buy & Build IT Strategy

This brief outlines how Buy & Build investors can maximize value creation by aligning IT choices with the investment thesis, using phased, targeted implementations rather than overengineered platforms.

Software
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January 10, 2025

Wealth Management Consolidation

This brief explores how IT and operational discipline can drive value creation in a wealth management consolidation play, beyond traditional financial engineering.

Buy and Build
AI
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Ready to drive better returns?

Partner with Stratos to secure your Tech & Data roadmaps, derisk execution, and maximize value creation across your portfolio.