ProgramsFall 2022 Industry Capstone ProgramProjectsWhitestone Analytics: The future of M&A Advisory Services

Project Title: Whitestone Analytics: The future of M&A Advisory Services

Whitestone Associates

Details
Project Title Whitestone Analytics: The future of M&A Advisory Services
Project Topics
Skills & Expertise
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
Whitestone Associates is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in the buying and selling of industrial companies in the fluid power, motion control, and automation markets. Frank Gallucci, this project’s advocate, is its founder. The ability to analyze data is critical to Whitestone’s success. However, much of the analysis is currently done in an unsystematic way. To the best of our knowledge, there are few firms that use algorithms to determine if a company has a predisposition to sell to a qualified buyer. 

Whitestone has made a focused effort over the last two years to assemble a definitive database of enterprises that participate within Whitestone’s Market Sector. Utilizing and supplementing Whitestone’s database, it is Whitestone’s strategic intent to develop predictive algorithms that will provide leading indicators of a company’s predisposition to entertain an acquisition offer. Our Capstone project will complement and supplement Whitestone’s interest in this project. 

Our Capstone Project will focus on identifying structured and unstructured databases and developing algorithms that will provide the M&A practitioner some insight as to whether a closely held enterprise would be predisposed to entertain an offer to acquire their company. Many other potential insights could be realized. However, we will start with identifying sellers in a narrow industrial market niche: the fluid power, motion control, and automation markets. 
  • Develop a database procurement strategy within Whitestone’s targeted markets.
  • Help Whitestone secure that data (a make, buy decision). 
  • Identify the leading indicators of companies that would entertain an overture for sale. (An example of this could be the age of critical stakeholders.) 
  • Create an algorithm to identify companies that would entertain an overture for their sale. 

Preferred qualifications of student team members:
  • Entrepreneurial mindset 
  • Data procurement and analytical skills
  • Project management skills 
  • Insight into behavioral economic and macroeconomic drivers 
  • Programming ability 
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
Project Synopsis: Expected Results

Project Timeline

Whitestone Associates - Whitestone Analytics: The future of M&A Advisory Services
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Thu, 09/01/22
12:00 AM UTC
First Day of Classes
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Thu, 09/01/22
12:00 AM UTC
COPA Office Resources
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The Corporate Outreach & Professional Advancement (COPA) Office is here to help support you! This team of professional staff members can assist you with any professional development and career related inquiries in-person or via Zoom. To learn more about this office and their services, please CLICK HERE.

To schedule a meeting with someone from the COPA Office, please CLICK HERE.
Tue, 09/06/22
12:00 AM UTC
Initial Team Meetings
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
All student teams should have their initial meeting (with team members & faculty advisor) during the week of September 6, 2022 (no classes for Labor Day on 09/05/22). This is a great opportunity to get to know another, connect on project goals & tasks, and determine a weekly meeting day/time that works for all group members.
Fri, 09/16/22
12:00 AM UTC
Program Manager Outreach
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Christina Sargiss, Program Manager for the Industry Capstone Program, will outreach to all students during the week of September 12th to touch base. If any students (including MBA Leads) have any questions, comments, or concerns thus far please let her know. Christina will send several surveys out to all registered students, throughout the semester, to check-in.


Christina is also available for in-person and Zoom meetings. Please click the link below if you would ever like to schedule a day/time to touch base: SCHEDULE A MEETING.
Fri, 10/07/22
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check #1
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Please complete the Temperature Check #1 survey to provide Christina Sargiss with any feedback, thus far, regarding your experience in the Industry Capstone Program. All registered students are encouraged to complete this by October 7, 2022.

Please CLICK HERE to complete the Temperature Check #1 Survey!
Mon, 10/17/22
12:00 AM UTC
Midterm Presentations
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Event Description:
Each project team will virtually present a midterm presentation that showcases the work they have done, thus far, this semester. Each presentation will last approximately 30 minutes via Zoom and School of Business faculty and staff will be invited to join. Students will present for 15-20  minutes, and respond to questions from attendees for the remainder of the time.

Midterm presentations will be held during the weeks of October 17th and October 24th. Christina Sargiss will connect with all faculty advisors and MBA Leads to schedule the days/times for these virtual presentations. Christina will also send everyone calendar invites with Zoom links for the presentations.

All project teams should utilize the Stevens PowerPoint Template, which can be found HERE.

Fri, 10/28/22
12:00 AM UTC
Midterm Presentation Submission
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
The MBA Lead for each project team must submit a copy of their PowerPoint Presentation here. 
Fri, 11/11/22
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check #2
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Please complete the Temperature Check #2 survey to provide Christina Sargiss with any feedback, thus far, regarding your experience in the Industry Capstone Program. All registered students are encouraged to complete this by November 11, 2022.

Please CLICK HERE to complete the Temperature Check #2 Survey!
Mon, 12/05/22
12:00 AM UTC
Final Presentations
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: In Person
Event Description:
Student teams will present their final presentations during the weeks of December 5th or 12th. 

The MBA Lead for each project team will connect with Christina Sargiss to determine the presentation day/time. School of Business faculty/staff and the corporate contact(s) will be invited to attend.
Thu, 12/22/22
12:00 AM UTC
Looking to update your resume?
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Thank you so much for your participation in the Industry Capstone Program! Now that you have this new experience under your belt, I strongly suggest that you add it to the 'academic projects' section of your resume! Looking for a professional resume review? Email Christina Sargiss at csargiss@stevens.edu or schedule a 1-1 appointment with her by CLICKING HERE.

Lastly, join our LinkedIn group for the Industry Capstone Program today! This is a great way to stay connected with your peers and faculty advisors. CLICK HERE to request to join the group.

Wishing you all a safe, relaxing & joyous holiday season. Please stay in touch!
Christina Sargiss
Thu, 12/22/22
12:00 AM UTC
Post Engagement Survey
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Please complete the two surveys to provide your final feedback regarding your experience in the Industry Capstone Program.
Peer Assessment Survey CLICK HERE
Personal Assessment Survey CLICK HERE
Mon, 01/09/23
12:00 AM UTC
Final Presentation Submission
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
The MBA Lead for each project team must submit a copy of their PowerPoint Presentation here. Please do so by December 22nd at 5:00 PM EST.

Program Managers

Name Organization
Christina Alwell Herbal Vineyards