5 Private Equity Diligence Predictions for 2026

What will private equity diligence look like in 2026?

If it’s anything like 2025, the 2026 private equity landscape is in for a change. 

Based on current trends, we believe several key shifts are on the horizon:

1. Customer intelligence becomes standard.
Firms that neglect systematic Customer Diligence risk falling behind. 

In 2026, leading PE firms will routinely incorporate deep customer research, both pre- and post-close, as part of their standard diligence playbook.

2. Diligence timelines compress further.
Deals will continue to move faster. 

PE teams will demand insights within LOI windows of ~30 days, requiring expertise and streamlined processes to maintain rigor without sacrificing speed.

3. Technology augments research.

AI-assisted analytics, natural language processing, automated survey tools, and sentiment analysis will help teams identify patterns in customer sentiment faster than ever, complementing human expertise rather than replacing it.

4. Integration starts at diligence.
Customer insights will increasingly inform integration planning before the deal closes. 

Teams will map retention strategies, cross-sell initiatives, and operational priorities using early Customer Diligence findings.

5. Shift to focus on value creation, not just risk mitigation.
Beyond avoiding surprises, customer intelligence will help portfolio companies grow revenue, improve retention, and optimize product-market fit, turning diligence costs into ongoing value creation.

In short, we believe 2026 will reward private equity firms that blend speed, rigor, and customer-centric insights. 

What trends do you believe we’ll see in 2026? We’d love to hear your take, shoot us a message with your thoughts.