Original research. Academically validated frameworks. Practitioner-authored insights at the intersection of private equity, AI, and enterprise value creation.
A qualitative exploratory study establishing AI as a measurable enterprise value creation discipline in the lower middle market — the foundational research underpinning the DMSA framework and QPP's entire technology advisory practice.
This is not theoretical. Academically validated, operationally proven, and deployed across every active QPP engagement. The research was recognized at the highest institutional level — the author's doctoral institution President personally invited Dr. Saunders to deliver the commencement address.
How technology adoption and digitalization maturity translate to measurable EBITDA and multiple expansion in PE portfolios.
The architectural and operational conditions under which AI generates sustainable, measurable enterprise value — not incremental efficiency.
Chronological precedence research on the SaaS-to-Software-as-a-Service transition and its implications for PE investment thesis construction and platform valuation.
PitchBook research on the SaaS-to-SaS transition and its implications for how PE firms should value and diligence software-enabled businesses in the lower middle market. QPP established chronological precedence on this thesis in collaboration with the authors.
CPE-accredited panel curriculum developed with Dr. Dustin Sachs (PsyberCOG Labs) and Philip Barber (Ripple Group), submitted for AM&AA accreditation — exploring practical AI frameworks for PE-backed environments.
Personally invited by the university President to deliver the commencement address — reflecting Dr. Saunders' standing as both a scholar-practitioner and a recognized national authority in his field.
Doctoral-level literature review on reverse Lehman fee model obsolescence and pre-engagement behavioral predictors of engagement failure — informing QPP's engagement architecture and success fee structures.
Applied research on the DMSA framework across active PE portfolio company engagements — quantifying technology maturity gaps as enterprise value discount factors and improvement levers.
National keynote content establishing QPP's founding principal as the foremost practitioner voice on AI as an enterprise value creation discipline — delivered across PE and M&A conferences nationally.
Dr. Saunders is available for keynotes, panel moderation, and workshop facilitation on AI, digitalization, and M&A value creation.