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DiligenceSquared uses AI, voice agents to make M&A research affordable | TechCrunch

DiligenceSquared uses AI, voice agents to make M&A research affordable | TechCrunch

A typical merger-and-acquisition process is time-consuming and expensive, even for the largest, well-staffed private equity firms. In addition to spending countless hours meeting with senior executives of potential targets and modeling financial outcomes, these groups spend millions of dollars on external advisers: accountants, lawyers, and management consultants.

Since expenses for external advisers are not reimbursed if a deal falls through, PE firms wait until they are certain of their interest before engaging costly specialists such as consultants from McKinsey, BCG, or Bain to perform extensive commercial research on the market and the target company.

DiligenceSquared, a startup that was part of YC’s Fall 2025 cohort, says that with the help of AI, it can provide top-tier consultancy-quality commercial research at a fraction of the traditional cost.

The startup’s co-founders, Frederik Hansen and Søren Biltoft, possess deep expertise in private equity due diligence. Hansen was formerly a principal at Blackstone, where he commissioned these reports for multiple billion-dollar buyouts. Meanwhile, Biltoft spent seven years in BCG’s private equity practice leading these types of diligence efforts.  

Since launching in October, Hansen’s and Biltoft’s industry experience has helped DiligenceSquared complete multiple projects for several of the world’s largest PE firms and mid-market funds, Hansen tells TechCrunch.

That early traction convinced Damir Becirovic, a former Index Ventures partner, to lead DiligenceSquared’s $5 million seed round out of his new VC firm, Relentless.

Instead of relying on expensive management consultants, the startup uses AI voice agents to conduct interviews with customers of the companies the PE firms are considering buying.

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DiligenceSquared is applying the same AI-interview model seen in consumer research startups like Keplar, Outset, and Listen Labs, which in January raised $69 million at a $500 million valuation. But Hansen and Biltoft argue that their due-diligence process and final outputs are fundamentally different from the consumer research produced by these startups.

PE firms can pay $500,000 to $1 million for McKinsey, Bain, or BCG to interview dozens of corporate customers, including C-suite executives, and produce 200-page reports synthesizing those insights with proprietary market data, Hansen said. To ensure the quality of the analysis, DiligenceSquared involves senior human consultants who verify the accuracy and commercial insights of the final output.

Since AI is doing a lot of the groundwork, the startup claims it can provide the analysis for just $50,000.

“We are taking these great insights that were previously reserved for the very big decisions, and now we make them more accessible,” Hansen said. Because of the lower price point, PE firms are now far more willing to engage DiligenceSquared earlier in the process, well before they have high conviction in a deal.

DiligenceSquared isn’t the only company trying to disrupt the diligence market. Its main competitor, Bridgetown Research, raised a $19 million Series A co-led by Accel and Lightspeed in February 2026.

In addition to Hansen and Biltoft, DiligenceSquared was co-founded by Harshil Rastogi, a former Google engineer.

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#DiligenceSquared #voice #agents #research #affordable #TechCrunch

Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments.

The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.

That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.

“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis">Lyft and Baidu enter London’s robotaxi battleground as testing begins | TechCrunch
Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments.

The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about 7 million.







That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.


“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement. 
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis

acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.

That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.

“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis">Lyft and Baidu enter London’s robotaxi battleground as testing begins | TechCrunch

Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments.

The testing, which began Tuesday with human safety operators, comes nearly a year after the two companies struck a strategic partnership to deploy Baidu’s purpose-built Apollo Go RT6 robotaxi across key European markets through the Lyft platform. The vehicles will eventually be available through Freenow, which Lyft acquired in 2025 for about $197 million.

That deal gave Lyft a foothold in Europe’s ride-hailing market, where a handful of well-funded companies are now jockeying to be first to market with robotaxis.

London is particular is shaping up to be a key battleground in the region. In April, Waymo began testing its autonomous vehicles with human safety operators in the city. Uber and its self-driving tech partner, Wayve, also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in London this year. That initial service — which customers can now sign up for on an interest list — will have human safety operators behind the wheel before fully driverless operations begin later.

Baidu and Freenow by Lyft (as the latter service is now called) said they expect to invite the public to hail their robotaxis in 2027. The companies, which didn’t provide a more detailed timeline, noted that the launch will depend on regulatory approval.

For now, dozens of test vehicles will operate within London’s borough of Brent. Lyft and Freenow said they continue discussions with safety and city officials, including Transport for London (TfL) and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). The UK government is in the process of creating autonomous vehicle regulations and opened applications in May for companies interested in an AV pilot program that lets companies test self-driving vehicles under government oversight.

When the service does launch, Freenow by Lyft said it will operate a hybrid network — employing the same language rival Uber has used — meaning human drivers operating taxis and private-hire vehicles will work alongside the robotaxis.

“As a platform with deep roots in the taxi industry, our priority is ensuring that autonomous technology supports the professional drivers who keep London moving,” Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow by Lyft, said in a statement.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Lyft #Baidu #enter #Londons #robotaxi #battleground #testing #begins #TechCrunchBaidu,Lyft,robotaxis
reports, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.

Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.

Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.

Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers

Apple Planning to Launch a New Upgrade Leasing Program Next Week
	
According to reports, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.



Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.



Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.



Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers



Image: Onur Binay



The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.



Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple
Image: Onur Binay

The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.

Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple">Apple Planning to Launch a New Upgrade Leasing Program Next Week
	
According to reports, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.



Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.



Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.



Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers



Image: Onur Binay



The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.



Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple

, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.

Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.

Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.

Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers

Apple Planning to Launch a New Upgrade Leasing Program Next Week
	
According to reports, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.



Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.



Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.



Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers



Image: Onur Binay



The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.



Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple
Image: Onur Binay

The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.

Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple">Apple Planning to Launch a New Upgrade Leasing Program Next Week

According to reports, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.

Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.

Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.

Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers

Apple Planning to Launch a New Upgrade Leasing Program Next Week
	
According to reports, Apple plans to introduce its new Apple Upgrade leasing plan in the United States next week. The program aims to spread the cost of eligible devices into monthly installments. It may also act as an alternative to the existing iPhone Upgrade Plan offered by Apple.



Apple is expected to launch the Apple Upgrade Program in partnership with Klarna. Customers will reportedly need to complete a soft credit check before enrolling. According to reports, the Apple Upgrade Program is expected to work just like a subscription. Customers have the option of paying for their device in full before the end of their lease period.



Customers can also retain the device after paying off the entire amount. If the customer is no longer interested in the device, they can give it back when the lease expires. The customer gets more freedom compared to a one-time purchase. Apple is likely to offer various lease deals depending on the device. iPhones and Apple Watch can be leased for 24 months. Macs and iPads will have a 36-month lease.



Eligible Devices, Exclusions, and Changes for Buyers



Image: Onur Binay



The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.



Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple
Image: Onur Binay

The plan is said to cover eligible iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. But not all Apple products are set to be covered by the new lease plan. This is because some products will be excluded from the list, among them the iPhone 16, Apple Watch SE, budget iPad, and MacBook Neo. Apple also plans to exclude business and education purchases.

Unlike the current iPhone Upgrade Program, the new service is not expected to offer AppleCare coverage. Reports also suggest Apple will stop accepting new customers for the existing iPhone Upgrade Program after Apple Upgrade launches. The new leasing option may make premium Apple devices easier to afford. Customers can spread payments over several months instead of paying the full price upfront.

#Apple #Planning #Launch #Upgrade #Leasing #Program #Weekapple

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