The Hidden Tax: IT integration is draining deal synergies
April 23, 2026
by a searcher from Pepperdine University in Chicago, IL, USA
IT integration is an expensive, error-prone drain on synergies. For those of us in the buy-and-build space, the problem is compounded: every bolt-on adds a new layer of technical debt. I’ve seen this integration gap kill deal momentum, and I'm sure you have too.
Why I’m asking: I’m working with a team that's built a platform to solve this. We are normalizing data across disparate systems to compress a 6–12 month process into weeks. Because the data model stays in place, each subsequent add-on gets faster.
I would love to trade notes with a few PE-backed platforms in real estate, real estate services or facilities services who are currently grinding through these issues.
Drop a comment or DM if you’re open to a quick chat on how you're handling the mess.