Grant Thornton Bharat Acts as Exclusive Transaction Advisor to Cians Analytics on its Acquisition by Acuity Knowledge Partners

Grant Thornton Bharat led the recently concluded sale of Cians Analytics to Equistone-backed Acuity Knowledge Partners. The firm was the exclusive transaction advisor to the shareholders of Cians Analytics.

Founded in 2009, Cians Analytics provides high-quality, cost-effective research and analytical support for global investment banks, private equity funds, corporations, and portfolio companies allowing them to significantly reduce operating costs. Its' diverse pool of talent, including financial researchers, developers, and data scientists allows the in-house teams of Cians' clients to better focus on strategic initiatives and increase output.

About Cians Analytics

Cians Analytics was founded in 2009 by Anmol Bhandari and Aman Chowdhury, to provide high-quality, cost-effective research and analytical support for global investment banks, private equity funds, corporations, and portfolio companies allowing them to do more with their time and significantly reduce operating costs. Cians supports financial clients across the entire transaction spectrum from initial investment screening, business and financial due diligence, and market entry/market sizing to post- closing portfolio company/market update maintenance work. The Cians Analytics workforce - known for its industry-leading employee retention rate - is composed of individuals who yield the highest calibre expertise in investment banking and research, equity research, and general business research and analytics. Cians' value proposition lies in the flexibility of its engagement model, allowing clients to have total control, adding capability and operating capacity while ultimately lowering costs.

About Acuity Knowledge Partners

Acuity Knowledge Partners is a leading research, analytics, and business intelligence consultant to the financial services sector. The company's network of analysts and industry experts, combined with advanced data and technology, supports over 420 financial institutions and consulting companies worldwide to operate more efficiently, and unlock their human capital, driving revenues higher and transforming operations. It specializes in investment banking, investment research, private equity & consulting and commercial lending. Acuity is headquartered in London and operates from nine locations worldwide. In 2019, the company was established as a separate business from Moody's Corporation through its acquisition by Equistone Partners.

About Equistone Partners Europe

Equistone is an independent investment firm wholly owned and managed by its executives. The company is one of Europe's leading investors in mid-market buyouts with a strong, consistent track record spanning over 40 years, with more than 400 transactions completed in this period. Equistone has a strong focus on the change of ownership deals and aims to invest between €25m and €200m+ of equity in various businesses. The company has a team of over 40 investment professionals operating across France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK, investing as a strategic partner alongside management teams. Equistone is currently investing its sixth buyout fund, which held a final closing at its €2.8bn hard cap in March 2018, and has recently launched the Equistone Reinvestment Fund, with a mandate to make minority re-investments alongside new sponsors following a portfolio company exit from one of its main buyout funds. Equistone is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

About Grant Thornton Bharat

Grant Thornton Bharat is a member of Grant Thornton International Ltd. The firm is at the forefront of helping reshape the values in our profession. We are helping shape various industry ecosystems through our work across assurance, tax, risk, transactions, technology and consulting, and are going beyond to shape a more vibrant Bharat.