ProgramsMGT 809: Spring 2023 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 Data Management Mergers & Acquisitions Research & Development
Skills & Expertise Business Analysis & Strategy Data Analytics
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
Our Capstone Project will focus on identifying structured and unstructured databases and scraping relevant data 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.

Overview:

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.


This Capstone project would:

  • Develop a database procurement strategy within Whitestone’s targeted markets.
  • Help Whitestone secure that data (a make, buy decision).
  • Clean the obtained data (scraped or purchased) to be useful for further analysis.
  • Create an algorithm to automate the prior procedures 
    Time and structure:
  • It is likely this project would take several Capstone classes to complete
  • It is unclear at this point if this initiative will be embedded in a standalone company or will be an extension of Whitestone associates.

Preferred qualifications of student team members:

  • Entrepreneurial mind-set
  • Data procurement and analytical skills
  • Project management skills
  • Insight into behavioral economic and macroeconomic drivers
  • Programming 
For more information about this corporate partner, please visit:

https://whitestone.net/
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
TBD
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
TBD

Project Timeline

Whitestone Associates - Whitestone Analytics: The future of M&A Advisory Services
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Mon, 12/05/22
12:00 AM UTC
Application & Registration Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Event Description:
On Monday, December 12, 2022 the application for the Spring 2023 semester will be sent to all School of Business graduate students from businessprojects@stevens.edu. We have an application process (via CapSource) so students can be matched with a corporate partner/project that best fits their skills, education, experiences, and program of study. The application deadline is Friday, January 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST. All matched students will receive an email from Christina Sargiss Alwell with their project match, registration information, and onboarding next steps. Questions? Email Christina at csargiss@stevens.edu for support.
Fri, 01/06/23
12:00 AM UTC
Application Deadline
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The application deadline for the Spring 2023 semester is Friday, January 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST. No late applications will be accepted. Please note that Christina Sargiss Alwell will be out of the office from December 22 - January 2 for winter break. She will respond to all emails on January 3, 2023.
Wed, 01/18/23
12:00 AM UTC
Academic Calendar for 2022-23
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Please review the Stevens academic calendar for important dates/information regarding the semester: https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar 
Tue, 01/31/23
12:00 AM UTC
Looking to update your resume?
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
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
Fri, 02/24/23
12:00 AM UTC
Temperature Check #1
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
Please complete the Temperature Check #1 survey by February 24th at 11:59 PM EST. This survey is anonymous and will assist Christina with planning for future projects & enhancing the program. If you have any questions, please email her for support.

To access the form, please click here: https://forms.gle/H9zo8E8MoaZHRmv87
Fri, 03/24/23
12:00 AM UTC
Midterm Presentations
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location:
Event Description:
Wednesday, March 8th is the chronological midpoint of the semester. As you all know, you will have a virtual midterm presentation (no corporate partners invited) and a virtual final presentation (corporate partners invited). The purpose of the midterm presentation is to showcase your work thus far as well as any roadblocks, challenges, successes, and strategy for the remainder of the semester.


I am looking to schedule the midterm presentations for some time between March 6th - 10th or March 20th - 24th (no presentations during spring break). Scheduling information will be emailed to all MBA Leads during February - stay tuned!
Fri, 03/31/23
12:00 AM UTC
Midterm Presentation Submission
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
The MBA Lead for each project team will need to submit a copy of their PowerPoint presentation here. All other students can disregard this task.
Wed, 05/17/23
12:00 PM UTC
Final Presentation Submission
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
TBD
Temperature Check #3
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
TBD
Temperature Check #2
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
TBD
Post Engagement Survey
Required Deliverable
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
Description:
TBD

Program Managers

Name Organization
Christina Alwell Herbal Vineyards