ProgramsSpring 2024 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
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 Team Will: 
 
•       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 ability 

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:

- Students enrolled in the Information Systems or Analytics Programs (but open to all graduate students in the School of Business)
- Students who have taken/passed BIA 660 (Web Mining)

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
Tue, 01/02/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Initial Onboarding Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The application for the Industry Capstone Program closed on December 29th. Starting on January 2nd, the Graduate Management Team will begin reviewing student resumes and applications. Over the next week or so, students will receive individualized emails with their project match, registration information, and next steps.

Once a student accepts their project match, they will be manually registered for the correct section of MGT 809. Please note that this is a three-credit course. Afterwards, students will be e-introduced to their faculty advisor, MBA (team) Lead, and student team members. 

If you have any questions regarding our application matching process, please email businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 

All matched students will receive an email before January 12, 2024.
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
First Day of Classes & Academic Calendar
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: Virtual
Event Description:
The first day of classes is January 17, 2024. All matched students will have received their project match and onboarding information (via email) prior to this date. Most teams will have their initial, virtual, meeting within the coming week or so.

Students should be checking their Stevens email for important messages from their faculty advisor, MBA Lead, and Kate Marsden (Manager, Industry Capstone Program). Students should also view/save a copy of the academic calendar so that they are aware of important dates for the semester ahead:

https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Stevens Brand Guidelines
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The Stevens Brand Guidelines webpage is a helpful resource to utilize throughout the semester!

https://www.stevens.edu/brandguide

Feel free to download a virtual background (from this webpage) to utilize for Zoom meetings with your faculty advisor, student team, and corporate partner(s). We also encourage students to utilize a professional background for the midterm & final presentations.

MBA Leads: Please download the PowerPoint Presentation Template for your midterm and final presentations. Kate Marsden will also contact each MBA Lead, prior to these presentations, with instructions & specifics.
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Industry Capstone Program Webpage & Resources
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
For information regarding the Industry Capstone Program, please visit the following link:

https://www.stevens.edu/industry-capstone

If you need any support, throughout the semester, please contact Kate Marsden. Kate is the Manager for the Industry Capstone Program and can be reached via email at businessprojects@stevens.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. She is also available for 1-1 appointments, upon request, either via Zoom or on-campus. 
Sat, 02/10/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Pre-Kick-off Self-Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Student Pre-Kick Off Self Evaluation | January 2024

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

Ideally, students should complete this form as early as possible in the Spring 2024 Semester. We understand that the first 1-2 weeks of the semester are typically spent onboarding, getting to know your team members, etc. This form will be available until 01/31/24 at 11:59 PM EST.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Fri, 02/23/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
#1 Student Temperature Check | January - February 2024

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Mon, 03/18/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Midterm Presentation Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The chronological mid-way point of the semester is March 6th. Ideally, midterm presentations should be held during the weeks of March 18th or March 25th. No presentations will be held during the week of spring break. 

Kate Marsden will outreach to each MBA Lead to determine the best day & time for a virtual, midterm presentation. Once a day/time is solidified, she will send the faculty advisor & student team members a calendar invite with a Zoom link. She will also send the MBA Lead for each team important instructions and best practices for a successful presentation. Each presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes: students will have about 20-25 minutes to present, followed by Q&A from our Stevens Graduate Management Team.

Please note that corporate partners are not included in the midterm presentations, just the final presentations in May.
Mon, 04/01/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Midterm Presentation Submission
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Description:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their midterm presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Deliverable Instructions:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their midterm presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Mon, 04/01/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Final Presentation Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Kate Marsden will outreach to each MBA Lead, in early April, to schedule final presentations. 

Once a day/time is solidified, she will send the faculty advisor, corporate partner, and student team members a calendar invite with a Zoom link. She will also send the MBA Lead for each team important instructions and best practices for a successful presentation. Each presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes: students will have about 20-25 minutes to present, followed by Q&A from our Stevens Graduate Management Team and corporate partner.
Fri, 04/05/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
#2 Student Temperature Check | Post-Midterm Presentation

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Tue, 05/14/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Final Presentation Submission
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Description:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their final presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Deliverable Instructions:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their final presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support
Tue, 05/14/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Post-Engagement Self-Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Student Self Reflection Survey | End of Spring 2024 Semester

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Fri, 05/17/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Industry Mentor Post-Engagement Team Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Thank you for participating in our Industry Capstone Program, this Spring 2024 Semester. If interested, please complete the following survey to describe your experience. If you have any questions or additional feedback, please contact Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. Wishing you a great summer ahead!