{ "generated_on": "2026-05-06", "module_id": "ma-sector-deep-research-protocol", "name": "MASNAP Sector Deep Research Protocol", "purpose": "Make every M&A, acquisition, partner or client opportunity trigger a repeatable sector-deep-dive that improves the ATTOH brain centre over time.", "principle": "The deeper a user, partner or advisor goes into a sector, the more structured knowledge ATTOH gains. MASNAP should turn every enquiry into reusable sector intelligence, not a one-off lead.", "market_logic": [ "PwC reports AI is now central to M&A strategy and is blurring sector boundaries as business models change.", "Deloitte reports GenAI is already used across the M&A lifecycle, especially strategy, market assessment, target screening and due diligence.", "Bain expects M&A and divestitures to matter as companies navigate technology disruption, shifting profit pools and a post-globalisation economy.", "KPMG expects dealmaking strength around technology, infrastructure, financial services, consumer and retail, with AI as a major driver.", "Enterprise platforms such as Datasite, Grata, SourceScrub and Midaxo focus on deal rooms, target search, private-company intelligence and pipeline workflow.", "ATTOH can own the SME and partner-network front door: sector intent, website proof, Snap data, partner referrals, weak signals and human-approved routing." ], "best_in_class_2026_bar": [ { "bar": "AI target identification", "what_leaders_do": "Use AI and private-company data to create longlists, similar-company searches and acquisition target screens.", "masnap_standard": "Every sector deep dive must be able to produce buyer-type maps, target-fit criteria and acquisition/search signals before a human advisor reviews." }, { "bar": "private-market intelligence", "what_leaders_do": "Combine company databases, executive contacts, CRM context, intermediary intelligence, financial signals and ownership/succession clues.", "masnap_standard": "MASNAP must collect partner source, Companies House/company context, website proof, Snap history, referral source and sector-specific weak signals in one record." }, { "bar": "CRM and relationship sync", "what_leaders_do": "Sync deal data with Salesforce, DealCloud, Affinity, HubSpot or internal pipeline tools and rank outreach by relationship strength.", "masnap_standard": "Every output needs a CRM-ready route: owner, partner source, confidence band, next action, source basis, deadline and human gate." }, { "bar": "AI diligence and document risk extraction", "what_leaders_do": "Summarise documents, extract risks, compare claims against evidence, support redaction and speed up data-room review.", "masnap_standard": "MASNAP must start with a lightweight SME diligence gap log, then escalate sensitive document review only after confidentiality and human approval." }, { "bar": "investment memo and scorecard generation", "what_leaders_do": "Generate risk scorecards, initial IC memos, discrepancy checks and screening summaries from structured data.", "masnap_standard": "Every qualified opportunity should create a one-page opportunity memo: sector thesis, buyer fit, value drivers, gaps, risks, Snap stack and next route." }, { "bar": "AI/cyber/technology diligence", "what_leaders_do": "Assess AI capability, model risk, cyber risk, data retention, third-party dependencies, EU AI Act exposure and value claims.", "masnap_standard": "For AI-heavy or R&D-heavy businesses, MASNAP must add an AI risk surface: model providers, data assets, security, compliance, defensibility and claim proof." }, { "bar": "pipeline to execution bridge", "what_leaders_do": "Connect origination, diligence, data room, workflow, outreach, integration and reporting.", "masnap_standard": "MASNAP must decide whether the next step is nurture, website/proof rebuild, Snap audit, partner referral, diligence prep, M&A advisor route or do-not-touch." } ], "must_do_better_than_market": [ { "market_feature": "broker free valuation forms", "masnap_upgrade": "turn valuation curiosity into a full readiness pathway: proof gaps, buyer fit, Snap stack, partner owner, source confidence and human-approved valuation route" }, { "market_feature": "buyer database matching", "masnap_upgrade": "match against buyer type, sector adjacency, geography, recurring revenue, asset base, operational fit, partner relationship and AI disruption thesis" }, { "market_feature": "deal sourcing lists", "masnap_upgrade": "combine outside-in web/review/company signals with ATTOH-owned partner, website, Snap and configurator signals" }, { "market_feature": "data-room diligence", "masnap_upgrade": "start before the data room with a sector-specific missing-proof checklist, then escalate to secure VDR workflow only when the opportunity deserves it" }, { "market_feature": "AI memo generation", "masnap_upgrade": "generate a decision memo that includes source confidence, human gate, red flags, Snap outputs, partner owner and next revenue route" }, { "market_feature": "relationship CRM", "masnap_upgrade": "route opportunities across formations, recruitment, R&D, marketing, advisory, transport, property and finance partners, not only M&A bankers" }, { "market_feature": "sector content and thought leadership", "masnap_upgrade": "use every deep dive to update ATTOH sector pages, FAQs, competitor watch, LLM text, proof checklists and future-readiness theses" }, { "market_feature": "human advisor judgement", "masnap_upgrade": "keep judgement human-approved while making the prep work stronger: evidence, risks, missing docs, sector thesis and buyer route already structured" } ], "industry_tool_orchestration": { "principle": "MASNAP can invoke or recommend any relevant tool per industry. Snap tools are the first-party layer; partner tools and external platforms can be used when they improve the decision.", "first_party_tools": [ "MASNAP", "BOOKSNAP", "LEGALSNAP", "PROPSNAP", "CADSNAP", "TRADESNAP", "HAULAGESNAP", "FREIGHTSNAP", "RECRUITSNAP", "FREELANCESNAP", "SHOPSNAP", "HOSPSNAP", "CARESNAP", "CHARITYSNAP", "ESTATEAGENTSNAP", "GARAGESNAP" ], "partner_tool_classes": [ "company formation and Companies House enrichment", "accounting, tax and bookkeeping review", "legal, AML, NDA and contract review", "recruitment, HR and workforce planning", "R&D, AI automation and innovation proof", "website, SEO, GEO, LLM text and review proof", "property, construction and asset evidence", "transport, customs and operating compliance" ], "external_tool_classes": [ "CRM and relationship intelligence", "secure data room / VDR", "private-company intelligence", "deal sourcing and buyer search", "document extraction and redaction", "cyber, AI and technical diligence", "financial modelling and KPI normalisation", "market sizing and competitor intelligence" ], "selection_rules": [ "use first-party Snap data first where the sector already exists", "use partner tools where human expertise, regulated review or relationship ownership is required", "use external platforms for secure document handling, private-company enrichment or specialist diligence", "never let an external tool override the human approval gate", "store only the source basis, decision memo, confidence band and permitted metadata in the brain centre" ] }, "per_industry_tool_stack": { "formations": ["MASNAP", "BOOKSNAP", "LEGALSNAP", "company formation enrichment", "Companies House review"], "recruitment": ["MASNAP", "RECRUITSNAP", "FREELANCESNAP", "HR/workforce planning", "candidate/role demand signals"], "marketing": ["MASNAP", "SHOPSNAP", "ESTATEAGENTSNAP", "TRADESNAP", "SEO/GEO/LLM text audit", "review mining"], "rnd_ai": ["MASNAP", "LEGALSNAP", "BOOKSNAP", "AI automation review", "R&D proof and technical diligence"], "transport_freight": ["MASNAP", "HAULAGESNAP", "FREIGHTSNAP", "telematics/TMS signals", "customs compliance review"], "property_construction": ["MASNAP", "PROPSNAP", "CADSNAP", "TRADESNAP", "asset register", "contract/payment evidence"], "professional_services": ["MASNAP", "LEGALSNAP", "BOOKSNAP", "FREELANCESNAP", "CRM/client concentration review"], "commerce_hospitality": ["MASNAP", "SHOPSNAP", "HOSPSNAP", "POS/ecommerce analytics", "review and margin data"], "care_education_charity": ["MASNAP", "CARESNAP", "CHARITYSNAP", "funding/governance evidence", "safeguarding human gate"] }, "source_standard": { "minimum_per_sector_deep_dive": [ "official regulator or government source where regulation/compliance matters", "at least two market/industry sources", "at least three competitor or buyer examples", "public website/review/proof scan of the target where available", "Snap Suite internal data where the sector has existing tools", "partner-source notes where the opportunity comes through the network" ], "confidence_rules": [ "high confidence requires current sources, structured company facts and clear human route", "medium confidence is allowed for early triage but must carry missing-source prompts", "low confidence cannot trigger valuation, outreach or transaction advice", "stale or unsourced claims must block public copy and partner recommendations" ] }, "opportunity_memo_schema": [ "opportunity_id", "sector", "subsector", "partner_source", "trigger_event", "business_model", "buyer_persona", "buyer_universe", "valuation_drivers", "diligence_gaps", "AI_disruption_thesis", "recommended_snap_stack", "confidence_band", "human_gate", "next_action", "sources_used", "learning_tags" ], "deep_dive_layers": [ { "layer": "sector definition", "questions": [ "What exactly does this business sell?", "Who pays, who decides and who influences?", "Is this a local service, regulated service, asset-heavy business, software-enabled service, marketplace or knowledge business?" ], "outputs": [ "sector taxonomy", "buyer personas", "revenue model", "operating model" ] }, { "layer": "commercial attractiveness", "questions": [ "Is demand growing, shrinking or shifting?", "Is the sector fragmented enough for roll-ups?", "Are margins defensible?", "Is there recurring revenue or repeat purchase behaviour?" ], "outputs": [ "market attractiveness score", "roll-up potential", "recurring revenue quality", "margin pressure map" ] }, { "layer": "valuation drivers", "questions": [ "What would an acquirer pay for in this sector?", "What makes one company worth more than another?", "Which proof points increase confidence?" ], "outputs": [ "valuation driver list", "proof asset checklist", "premium/discount factors", "buyer confidence score" ] }, { "layer": "buyer universe", "questions": [ "Who are the likely strategic buyers?", "Are there private equity roll-ups, local consolidators, suppliers, customers or overseas acquirers?", "Which adjacent sectors want this capability?" ], "outputs": [ "buyer-type map", "acquirer-fit score", "cross-sector adjacency map", "partner route" ] }, { "layer": "diligence and risk", "questions": [ "What would break a deal in this sector?", "Which contracts, licences, staff, property, compliance, tax or customer risks need proof?", "Where does human approval become mandatory?" ], "outputs": [ "diligence gap log", "risk register", "human approval gate", "do-not-touch warning" ] }, { "layer": "AI and 10-year disruption", "questions": [ "Which parts of this sector will AI automate?", "Which businesses become more valuable because of AI?", "Which businesses become less defensible?", "What does the website, proof pack and operating system need to show in 2036?" ], "outputs": [ "AI disruption map", "2036 sector thesis", "automation value creation route", "future-proofing tasks" ] }, { "layer": "ATTOH/Snap fit", "questions": [ "Which Snap tools can score the opportunity?", "Which partner lane should own the next action?", "Does this need a website rebuild, lead engine, R&D/AI route, recruitment route or M&A partner route?" ], "outputs": [ "recommended Snap stack", "partner owner", "website/proof rebuild scope", "CRM next action" ] } ], "sector_deal_theses": { "formations": { "why_it_matters": "Formation partners see ambition early: holding-company structures, dormant-company reactivation, owner exits, succession and professional-service needs.", "signals_to_capture": [ "new company type", "SIC code", "director background", "group structure", "tax/accounting need", "website need" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "BOOKSNAP", "LEGALSNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Spot future acquisition vehicles, roll-up plans, succession issues and owner-manager exits before they reach brokers." }, "recruitment": { "why_it_matters": "Hiring patterns show growth, founder dependency, succession gaps and buy-and-build capacity.", "signals_to_capture": [ "senior role hiring", "sales team expansion", "operations manager vacancy", "hard-to-hire technical roles", "agency margin pressure" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "RECRUITSNAP", "FREELANCESNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Identify businesses scaling, struggling to replace founders, or preparing management teams for sale." }, "marketing": { "why_it_matters": "Marketing data shows demand strength, positioning weakness, review proof and whether a company has a buyer-ready story.", "signals_to_capture": [ "lead volume", "conversion rate", "review quality", "category authority", "content gaps", "local ranking strength" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "SHOPSNAP", "ESTATEAGENTSNAP", "TRADESNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Improve value before exit by strengthening proof, positioning, pipeline quality and defensible demand." }, "rnd_ai": { "why_it_matters": "R&D and AI capability can change defensibility, buyer appetite and valuation narrative.", "signals_to_capture": [ "automation use case", "technical novelty", "grant/R&D potential", "data asset", "AI workflow moat", "manual process replaced" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "LEGALSNAP", "BOOKSNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Turn innovation claims into buyer-safe proof, diligence evidence and AI value creation route." }, "transport_freight": { "why_it_matters": "Transport and freight have operational data, compliance risk, border complexity and AI/autonomous disruption.", "signals_to_capture": [ "fleet size", "operator licence", "route mix", "customs exposure", "driver dependency", "telematics maturity" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "HAULAGESNAP", "FREIGHTSNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Score acquisition targets around compliance quality, margin control, digital-border readiness and autonomous/AI transition." }, "property_construction": { "why_it_matters": "Property and construction deals depend on assets, contracts, cashflow, retentions, planning, compliance and evidence.", "signals_to_capture": [ "asset base", "pipeline", "retentions", "contract quality", "planning risk", "property tax exposure" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "PROPSNAP", "CADSNAP", "TRADESNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Find property-backed value, construction risk and diligence gaps before a buyer discounts the deal." }, "professional_services": { "why_it_matters": "Professional services firms are relationship-heavy and founder-dependent, but can become valuable if recurring, specialised and process-led.", "signals_to_capture": [ "client concentration", "recurring retainers", "regulated permissions", "team structure", "knowledge assets", "partner succession" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "LEGALSNAP", "BOOKSNAP", "FREELANCESNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Score partner succession, advisory roll-ups, client-base quality and process maturity." }, "commerce_hospitality": { "why_it_matters": "Consumer-facing businesses show demand, margin, reviews, supplier risk and AI-commerce readiness in public data.", "signals_to_capture": [ "gross margin", "repeat purchase", "stock/supplier risk", "reviews", "location quality", "AI shopping readiness" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "SHOPSNAP", "HOSPSNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Score roll-up potential, brand proof, margin leakage, customer trust and agentic-commerce readiness." }, "care_education_charity": { "why_it_matters": "Care, education and charity opportunities require high trust, funding quality, governance and human approval boundaries.", "signals_to_capture": [ "funding model", "occupancy", "safeguarding records", "trustee/board strength", "restricted funds", "staffing risk" ], "snap_stack": [ "MASNAP", "CARESNAP", "CHARITYSNAP" ], "mna_angle": "Protect vulnerable-person and governance decisions while identifying sustainable, well-run operators." } }, "learning_loop": { "capture_every_time": [ "sector", "business model", "partner source", "trigger event", "buyer type", "valuation-driver tags", "diligence gaps", "Snap stack used", "human owner", "outcome" ], "improves_weekly": [ "sector scoring weights", "buyer-fit rules", "red flag library", "proof checklist", "content bank", "competitor watch", "partner routing" ], "never_automate_without_human": [ "valuation opinion", "legal advice", "tax advice", "regulated financial advice", "transaction recommendation", "sensitive document review", "named deal claim" ] }, "routing_matrix": [ { "condition": "high opportunity, clean proof, strong buyer fit", "route": "human-qualified M&A partner route" }, { "condition": "good company, weak proof or poor website", "route": "ATTOH website/proof rebuild before market approach" }, { "condition": "finance, tax or accounts gaps", "route": "BookSnap readiness and accounting partner route" }, { "condition": "legal, confidentiality, AML or contract risk", "route": "LegalSnap risk intake and professional approval route" }, { "condition": "property, construction or asset-backed complexity", "route": "PropSnap, CADSnap or TradeSnap evidence route" }, { "condition": "AI/R&D value creation possible", "route": "R&D/AI partner intelligence route" }, { "condition": "unsafe claims, low confidence or regulated boundary", "route": "hold, human review or do-not-touch" } ], "red_flag_library": [ "seller cannot evidence revenue, margin or customer concentration", "material tax, VAT, payroll, CIS, customs or HMRC exposure is unclear", "contracts, licences, permissions or regulated status are missing", "founder claims valuation uplift, buyer interest or previous deals without proof", "customer reviews, complaints, litigation, safety or safeguarding issues point to hidden risk", "AI/R&D claims are marketing-led with no technical evidence, IP record or data governance", "property, lease, planning, dilapidation, environmental or asset ownership risk is unresolved", "confidential documents are requested before NDA, engagement terms and human approval", "partner source is unclear, conflicted or financially incentivised without disclosure" ], "data_moat_fields": [ "sector_signal_patterns", "partner_conversion_patterns", "buyer_fit_patterns", "valuation_driver_frequency", "diligence_gap_frequency", "proof_asset_quality", "Snap_stack_conversion", "website_rebuild_value_creation", "AI_disruption_opportunity", "human_override_reasons", "do_not_touch_reasons" ], "weekly_brain_update": [ "review every new MASNAP opportunity memo", "add new buyer questions into sector content bank", "add new red flags into diligence gap library", "update competitor watch when brokers or AI M&A platforms change positioning", "update sector 2036 thesis when AI, regulation, payments or buyer behaviour shifts", "feed winning partner patterns back into configurator sector defaults", "feed losing or low-quality routes into do-not-touch and human-review rules" ] }