What is a Commercial Viability Assessment (CVA) case study?

A CVA case study demonstrates how Gray Carroll Consulting's 8-workstream scoring methodology evaluates a financial services technology company's commercial viability for PE investment. Each case study shows composite scores, workstream-level findings, risk flags, and investment recommendations based on evidence-based analysis.

How does the CVA scoring methodology work?

The CVA evaluates targets across 8 weighted workstreams, each scored 1-5: Market Position & Dynamics (15%), Competitive Moat & Differentiation (15%), GTM & AI Readiness (15%), Customer Economics (20%), Digital Customer Intelligence (5%), Voice of Customer (10%), Organization & Leadership (10%), and Pricing Power & Model (10%). Scores of 3.5-5.0 are rated Strong (green), 2.5-3.4 Moderate (amber), and 1.0-2.4 Weak (red). The composite is a weighted average with intentionally conservative calibration.

What types of companies does the CVA assess?

The CVA methodology is calibrated specifically for financial services technology companies across 7 sub-verticals: WealthTech/TAMP, Investment Management, Asset Allocators, Banking Technology, RegTech, Cybersecurity for FIs, and Hedge Fund Technology. Each sub-vertical has unique competitive dynamics, buyer personas, and regulatory considerations.

What does a CVA deliverable include?

A CVA deliverable is a 30-35 slide consulting-grade PowerPoint deck with composite and workstream-level scoring, evidence-based findings with sourced data, risk assessment matrices, Voice of Customer synthesis, and strategic recommendations. Deliverables follow McKinsey/BCG/Bain standards with action titles, SCQA narrative structure, and color-coded risk thresholds.

CVA Case Studies | Gray Carroll Consulting

What Do CVA Case Studies Demonstrate?

A CVA case study demonstrates how Gray Carroll Consulting's 8-workstream Commercial Viability Assessment methodology evaluates financial services technology companies for PE investment decisions. Each assessment produces a composite score on a 1–5 scale across Market Position, Competitive Moat, GTM & AI Readiness, Customer Economics, Digital Customer Intelligence, Voice of Customer, Organization & Leadership, and Pricing Power. Scores are intentionally conservative — PE firms respect caution over optimism. The two anonymized case studies below show assessments of a WealthTech/TAMP platform (scored 3.1/5.0, Amber — Conditional) and an Alternative Investment Data Management platform (scored 3.7/5.0, Green — Strong Buy), illustrating the range and rigor of CVA analysis.

How Does the CVA Methodology Work?

The Commercial Viability Assessment evaluates targets across eight weighted workstreams, each scored 1–5 against PE investment criteria. Weights reflect relative importance to fund returns based on research across PE value creation patterns. The composite score is a weighted average with intentionally conservative calibration — a 3.0 represents adequate commercial viability, not mediocrity. Scores of 3.5–5.0 are rated Strong (green), 2.5–3.4 Moderate (amber), and 1.0–2.4 Weak (red).

What Are the 8 CVA Workstreams?

Market Position & Dynamics 15%

TAM sizing, growth trajectory, competitive density, market timing

Competitive Moat & Differentiation 15%

Defensibility analysis, switching costs, feature parity, technical barriers

GTM & AI Readiness 15%

Sales motion efficiency, channel mix, AI integration maturity, scalability

Customer Economics 20%

NRR, churn, CAC payback, LTV:CAC, expansion revenue, concentration risk

Digital Customer Intelligence 5%

G2/Gartner presence, review sentiment, digital footprint, brand authority

Voice of Customer 10%

12-interview structured program across 4 cohorts with scored synthesis

Organization & Leadership 10%

Executive depth, GTM leadership, bench strength, culture signals

Pricing Power & Model 10%

Pricing model assessment, expansion levers, competitive pricing position

CVA Case Studies

What Do CVA Case Studies Demonstrate?

WealthTech Platform Co.

Alt Data Platform Co.

How Does the CVA Methodology Work?

What Are the 8 CVA Workstreams?