ELI - 426 | Amar Shirsat (Co-founder & CTO of GrowthPal - Merger & Acquisition SaaS Platform)

In this episode of ELI, we speak with Amar Shirsat, Co-founder & CTO of GrowthPal, a cutting-edge SaaS platform designed to streamline the mergers & acquisitions (M&A) process. Amar sheds light on how GrowthPal uses advanced AI-driven data analysis and insights to match buyers and sellers—especially in mid-market deal sizes ranging from $1 million to $50 million. He explains how they maintain confidentiality in a sensitive space, manage complex regulatory environments, and leverage technology to identify opportunities for inorganic growth. Whether you’re new to M&A or looking to understand how AI can make deal sourcing smarter, this conversation is packed with valuable insights. Timestamps/Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:03 Meet Amar Shirsat & His Background in Startups & M&A Tech 00:42 About GrowthPal: A SaaS Platform for M&A Deal Sourcing 02:21 How Buyers Use GrowthPal for Inorganic Growth Opportunities 05:36 Navigating the Confidentiality & Sensitivity of M&A Deals 06:19 Understanding M&A Strategy: Why Buyers Always Stay Alert 09:01 Leveraging AI & Data to Score & Recommend Target Companies 11:35 Sorting Complex Signals: Company Layoffs, New Products & More 14:08 Handling Missing or Sensitive Data Through Due Diligence 15:30 Why GrowthPal Focuses on $1M to $50M Mid-Market Deals 18:07 Pricing Model: Subscription & Finder’s Fees vs. Investment Bankers 19:27 GrowthPal’s AI Agent: Constantly Monitoring Competitors & Markets 20:45 Exploring Agentic AI Workflows & Future Automation Plans 22:39 Ensuring Confidentiality & Consent for Deal Discussions 25:11 Integrations & Data Security Measures 29:57 Hiring Tech Talent & Sustaining an Entrepreneurial Team Culture 31:20 Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways