In this conversation, Harrison Thomas, Chief Growth Officer at Beacon Specialized Living Services, discusses how his company is revolutionizing M&A with AI. He explains the formation of an AI committee to enhance every phase of the deal lifecycle, including sourcing and integration. Harrison shares insights into early AI pilots aimed at improving due diligence and planning. Furthermore, he addresses the practical challenges of integrating AI in a people-centric industry, shedding light on the innovative future of healthcare M&A.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Mom-and-Pop Provider Growth Limits
Most providers in Beacon's Medicaid behavioral health space are mom-and-pop businesses led by caregivers, not MBAs.
These small providers often hit growth limits due to lack of infrastructure like back office, training, and recruiting functions.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Win Seller Trust Transparently
Build trust by being transparent and empathetic when working with small providers.
Clearly explain financial realities and issues upfront to avoid surprises later in the deal.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Hidden EBITDA Adjustments Trouble
An acquired company's EBITDA adjustments were never booked to the P&L but hidden on the balance sheet.
This misstatement led to renegotiations and escrow discussions post-close when the financial reality differed.
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In Part 1 of our conversation with Harrison Thomas, Chief Growth Officer at Beacon Specialized Living Services, we dive into how one of the largest providers of specialized behavioral health services is rethinking M&A using AI. Harrison shares why Beacon created a dedicated AI committee focused on improving every stage of the deal lifecycle—from sourcing to integration—and what tools and pilots they’re exploring right now. If you want a first-hand look at how AI is already changing M&A in healthcare services, this episode is for you.
Things you will learn:
Why creating an AI committee can accelerate innovation in M&A processes.
How AI tools are being piloted to improve diligence, sourcing, and integration planning.
Practical challenges and lessons learned when adopting AI in a complex, people-centric industry.
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Episode Chapters
[00:02:00] Why Beacon formed an AI committee specifically for M&A
[00:04:30] Early AI experiments and low-risk pilots to test use cases [00:07:00] How AI is enhancing diligence processes and data analysis [00:09:00] Approaching cultural adoption of AI tools across the deal team [00:11:30] Evaluating vendor solutions vs. building AI tools in-house [00:14:00] Tracking ROI on AI adoption in the M&A process [00:16:00] Ethical considerations and privacy concerns when using AI in healthcare M&A [00:19:00] Overcoming skepticism about AI among senior leadership [00:22:00] Key metrics Beacon is using to measure AI-driven efficiency [00:31:00] Lessons learned on aligning AI strategy with overall M&A goals
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