Black Swan Data has been sold to Mintel

Black Swan Data

Black Swan Data is a leading provider of AI-powered consumer trend analytics, helping global brands predict emerging demand by analyzing billions of real-time data points from online conversations. Black Swan’s proprietary platform transforms unstructured data into actionable insights, enabling faster, data-driven decision-making across innovation, marketing and commercial strategy. Founded in 2011, the company partners with many of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail organizations to unlock growth through next-generation consumer intelligence. For more information, please visit www.blackswan.com.

The Deal

Lincoln International acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Black Swan Data, a leading provider of AI-powered consumer trend analytics, in its sale to Mintel, a global leader in market intelligence. Backed by growth investor Oxx, Black Swan sought a strategic partner to accelerate its expansion and enhance the reach of its proprietary analytics platform. The transaction was executed during a period of muted demand across the CPG sector, requiring a differentiated positioning of Black Swan’s predictive capabilities and long-term value. Lincoln’s deep industry expertise, extensive buyer relationships and track record advising high-growth, data-driven businesses were critical in navigating market headwinds and articulating the strategic rationale for a partnership with Mintel. The acquisition strengthens Mintel’s technology and data science capabilities, positioning the combined business to deliver even deeper consumer insights to clients worldwide.

Our Perspective

Chris Cavanaugh, Lincoln International Managing Director in the Technology Group who led the transaction, said, “Black Swan Data has been a trailblazer in AI-driven product development and innovation in a sector that has been slow to move from its traditional methods. This transaction underscores the strategic imperative for companies to harness the capabilities and talent attuned to an ecosystem in which demand, desire and sentiment are shifting faster than ever. The traditional consumer insights landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation to date led by the early adopters of AI to accelerate insights and workflows. Manufacturers and brands will continue to realign themselves with solutions providers that can keep pace and proactively address customers’ wants and needs, and the tools that Black Swan has developed offer a significant competitive advantage. We are excited to see what these teams can accomplish together.”

Mintel

Mintel is a leading market intelligence agency, specializing in the analysis of consumers, markets, new products and competitive landscapes. Since 1972, Mintel has delivered a unique perspective on both global and local economies through its predictive analytics, expert recommendations and comprehensive service offerings—ranging from company, brand and product strategies to communications, performance benchmarking and competitive analysis across distribution channels and markets. By helping clients understand what’s coming next and how to respond, Mintel empowers businesses to make better decisions faster. For more information on Mintel, please visit www.mintel.com.

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