PrivSource vs Inven: How AI Agents and Static Databases Approach M&A Research Differently
Inven is a database built for company search. PrivSource is built to automate buyer and target discovery.
Below is a feature-by-feature comparison of how the two platforms differ in practice.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
AI-driven buyer and target discovery, plus a private M&A deal network.
Searchable company database designed for manual research.
AI-driven buyer and target discovery, plus a private M&A deal network.
Searchable company database designed for manual research.
Lower middle market through middle market and select larger opportunities.
Large global dataset covering millions of companies.
Lower middle market through middle market and select larger opportunities.
Large global dataset covering millions of companies.
Investment bankers, M&A advisors, brokers, and private equity teams of all sizes.
Middle-market private equity teams, investment bankers, and corporate development groups.
Investment bankers, M&A advisors, brokers, and private equity teams of all sizes.
Middle-market private equity teams, investment bankers, and corporate development groups.
Live web data combined with proprietary contact verification and enrichment.
Machine-learning-powered company and contact database.
Live web data combined with proprietary contact verification and enrichment.
Machine-learning-powered company and contact database.
AI agents automatically build buyer and target lists based on deal context.
Users run searches and refine filters to manually assemble lists.
AI agents automatically build buyer and target lists based on deal context.
Users run searches and refine filters to manually assemble lists.
Optional private deal network offered without success fees.
No access to live deal flow or deal network.
Optional private deal network offered without success fees.
No access to live deal flow or deal network.
Transparent monthly pricing with self-serve access.
Annual or enterprise contracts with demo-based onboarding.
Transparent monthly pricing with self-serve access.
Annual or enterprise contracts with demo-based onboarding.
Instant signup with same-day results.
Requires demo and contract before access.
Instant signup with same-day results.
Requires demo and contract before access.
Curated, ranked buyer and target lists that are outreach-ready.
Raw company and contact data requiring further analysis.
Curated, ranked buyer and target lists that are outreach-ready.
Raw company and contact data requiring further analysis.
How Each Platform Works
Understanding the core differences in approach and methodology
PrivSource is designed to automate buyer and target discovery rather than improve manual search.
Instead of starting with a database and refining filters, users describe the deal or target they are working on, including size, industry, geography, and strategic context. PrivSource then deploys AI agents that run live searches across the broader M&A landscape to identify companies that match those criteria in practice, not just on paper.
For sell-side work, this means generating curated buyer lists ranked by strategic relevance and acquisition intent. Each list includes verified decision-maker contacts so teams can move directly into outreach without additional research. For buy-side work, the same system is used to surface non-obvious targets that meet an acquisition thesis, including companies that may not appear in traditional databases.
PrivSource also includes a private deal network for lower and middle-market opportunities. The network is offered as an optional distribution channel rather than the core workflow, allowing teams to use deal flow alongside AI-driven discovery without paying success fees.
The result is a sourcing process that prioritizes relevance, speed, and intent, while reducing the amount of manual filtering and validation typically required.
Inven aggregates data from company websites, job postings, public filings, news sources, and third-party datasets to create searchable profiles for millions of private companies and contacts. The platform uses machine learning to improve how companies are classified, particularly in markets where traditional industry codes fall short.
Users interact with Inven through natural-language search and filters, refining results based on industry, geography, size, and operational characteristics. Building a list typically involves multiple rounds of searching, reviewing results, and manually narrowing the universe.
Inven works best for teams that want direct control over research and are comfortable spending time interpreting results and assembling lists themselves.
Key Differences
What sets these platforms apart at a fundamental level
AI-driven discovery vs database search
PrivSource uses autonomous AI agents and live web data to discover buyers and targets based on deal context and observable intent.
Inven improves search within a large company database, but discovery still depends on user-defined queries and manual refinement.
Intent-based results vs broad company coverage
PrivSource prioritizes companies that show signals of acquisition readiness, strategic adjacency, and capacity to transact.
Inven offers broad global company coverage, but does not rank results by likelihood to engage or complete a transaction.
Curated lists vs user-built exports
PrivSource delivers ranked buyer and target lists that are outreach-ready, including verified decision-maker contacts.
Inven provides raw company and contact data that requires additional analysis and preparation before outreach.
Automated workflows vs manual effort
PrivSource reduces sourcing time by automating discovery, ranking, and validation in a single workflow.
Inven requires users to manually filter, validate, and assemble lists across multiple steps.
Why Teams Choose PrivSource
The advantages that matter most to deal professionals
Let AI build high-intent, hyper-specific buyer and target lists
Discover acquirers and targets beyond static databases and predefined filters
Rank companies by strategic fit and acquisition behavior, not just keywords
Start sourcing immediately with transparent monthly pricing and no contracts
Trusted by Deal Professionals
"The tool cuts down significant research time and reduces our need for multiple paid accounts. We're finding buyers who've actually done deals in our sectors that we would have missed with traditional database searches."
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