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VCPE Database Comparison

Comparison of Pitchbook, Preqin, CB Insights, and Capital IQ

The table below compares the attributes of the following databases:

AttributesPitchbookPreqinCB InsightsCapital IQ
Bottom LineGreat for portfolio companies, really helpful verticals and emerging spaces, detailed contact and valuation info.  Intuitive interface, basically NO downloadingGreat for VCPE firms and fund-specific info.  Great contact info for firms.  Skews to the PE end of the VCPE spectrum.  Geographic filtering can be a little non-standard  for US GEOs as Preqin is non-US owned (e.g. greater metro area categories often not available)Great for portfolio companies, really helpful "collections" (verticals) but often tech-specificGreat all-around company database with granular screening criteria.  Can also save screens at HBS level to share with others.  VERY generous with downloading (no cap overall - only per search at 10K). Nice Idea Generation screen area to show use cases of Cap IQ. However, interface is not intuitive
AccessCurrent Harvard affiliatesCurrent Harvard affiliates HBS graduating class (for career purposes thru mid-Aug) Lifetime onsite access for HBS alumni Mediated search for all HBS alumni for career searchCurrent HBS affiliates HBS graduating class (for career purposes thru mid-Aug)Current Harvard affiliates HBS graduating class (for career purposes thru mid-Aug) Mediated search for all HBS alumni for career search
Date coverage (VCPE related entities and transactions)1865 (Coverage is thin until 1980)1950's- present (Coverage is thin until 1980)1960s (Coverage is thin until 1980)1950s (Coverage is thin until 1980)
\# VCPE backed companies3.6 MM170K383KNot available (10MM private companies in total)
\# VCPE firms63K28K31K44K
\# VCPE funds115K124Knot available50K
\# deals325K VC 376K Corp/Strategic M&A 142K Buyout 75K Private Debt 72K IPO146K PE/Buyout 319K VC 20K Private Debt 106K Real Estate430K VC 505K Buyout515K VC 938K M&A/Buyout 487K IPOs
Industry categoriesStrongStrongStrongStandard
VerticalsStrongSolidStrong for tech related verticalsNone. Recommend using keyword search in Business Description
Geographic GranularityZip levelCity levelCity LevelZip level
DownloadingExtremely limited (10 rows of data per day; 25 per month)Limit 1000 per search for Companies/Deals.  Very high limit for firms/funds (over 20K)5,000 per year per user10,000 results per download
Portfolio company infoVery strongStrongStrongStrong
VCPE firm infoStrongVery strongStrongStrong
Boolean (And/Or) SearchingYesLimited to Boolean within Industries/VerticalsLimited to Boolean within KeywordsYes
Contacts - FirmsYes (Direct emails)Yes (Direct emails)C-Suite Only (LinkedIn profiles)Yes  (limited direct contact info but goes beyond C Suite)
Contacts - PCsYes (Direct emails)C-Suite Only (LinkedIn profiles)C-Suite Only (LinkedIn profiles)Yes  (limited direct contact info but goes beyond C Suite)
HBS alumni screening variable?YesNoNoYes
Research/reportsEmerging Industries reports, Morningstar reportsPrivate Capital Compensation Report; other reports on private capital marketsYes, but not all research included in subscription.  (No Market Maps, for example)Yes (CFRA Industry Overviews)
Saved searches/screeningsYesYesYesYes
Custom AlertsYesNoYesYes
Notes on screening variablesComprehensive financials and valuation info for portfolio companies.  Extensive screening and reporting data for firms and companies overallExtensive screening criteria specific to VCPE; Filter by minority/women owned VCPE firms, charts & league tables, Benchmarks, ESG criteria; Strong fund performance, firm AUM, etc.; financials, valuation, employee count for portfolio companiesGood screening specific to VCPE; coverage includes top-level information on the venture financing space, providing a snapshot of investors, deals, and companiesExtensive screening criteria specific to VCPE; very extensive and  granular criteria for portfolio companies.  Solid info on VCPE firms; financials and valuation for portfolio companies fairly limited. Does provide snapshot of deals

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