Overview

A $9BN private equity firm partners with Paragon to identify and execute AI automation opportunities across its portfolio companies in consumer products, eCommerce, and healthcare. Rather than following the conventional PE playbook of costly, multi-year ERP overhauls, the firm leverages Paragon's AI transformation framework to surface quick-win automation opportunities that deliver measurable ROI within one to two quarters of acquisition.

Approach

Paragon conducts rapid AI readiness assessments across portco operations — analyzing existing data assets, workflows, and revenue patterns to identify where AI automation can replace manual processes and accelerate growth without ripping out core systems. A key architectural move is standing up a dedicated operational data store alongside the traditional data warehouse: while the conventional warehouse continues to serve BI and reporting, the operational data store is purpose-built for AI agents and automated actions, enabling real-time decision-making loops that drive actual business outcomes. From there, Paragon designs a crawl-walk-run transformation roadmap — starting with high-impact automation pilots in the first 90 days and scaling proven wins across the business in subsequent quarters - capturing value in months, not years.

Results

Portfolio companies in eCommerce, consumer, and healthcare have unlocked 2X to 5X improvements in customer LTV and retention by applying AI-driven segmentation and automation to their existing customer data. Quick-win automation initiatives have driven meaningful cost reduction and revenue lift within the first two quarters post-acquisition — without the capital intensity or execution risk of traditional systems overhauls. And unlike traditional consultants who hand off a report and walk away, Paragon embeds world-class CAIO and CIO-led data teams to execute alongside portco management, backed by our proprietary MIP™ methodology to ensure AI initiatives translate from strategy into measurable business results.