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Platform vs. Add-On Acquisitions: How Private Equity Decides Your Valuation Multiple episode artwork

May 7, 2026 6 min

Platform vs. Add-On Acquisitions: How Private Equity Decides Your Valuation Multiple

from Insights by Candor Advisors Hosted by Mike Simpson

When founders begin talking with investment bankers or private equity buyers, they often hear terminology that has little to do with how they actually operate their business. One of the most important examples is whether a company is viewed as a “platform” investment or an “add-on” acquisition. In this episode, Kirk Michie breaks down what those categories mean, how buyers use them, and why the distinction can materially affect valuation, deal structure, and buyer interest during an M&A process.

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Many founders hear terms like “platform company” or “tuck-in acquisition” during a sale process without understanding what they actually mean. In this video, Kirk Michie explains how private equity firms categorize businesses and why those labels can directly affect valuation multiples.

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Platform vs. Add-On Acquisitions: How Private Equity Decides Your Valuation Multiple

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