Who are the Start-Ups at CPHI Barcelona? Intel on the innovators from CCD Partners

CCD partners have teamed up with CPHI ahead of CPHI Barcelona to do a deep dive into some of the companies coming to the show, giving an insight into which exhibtors are here to shake things up. 

In an interview with Matthew Wise, Head of Data at CCD Partners, Matthew gives an insight into their work, and why specifically they've focused on CPHI. 

Could you please introduce CCD Partners?

CCD Partners is a consultancy dedicated to unlocking potential in chemicals and life sciences lower-mid market. Management and owners use us to enhance transformative corporate development projects such as acquisition programmes, succession planning, private equity, and divestments. Our services are categorized into three main areas: Insight (providing data and relating it to clients), Network (engaging and connecting business leaders), and Execution (delivering successful transactions).

What does your Watchlist involve and how did the collaboration with Informa arise?

The idea for this collaboration with Informa emerged at the CPHI Frankfurt Investor Roundtable, during which our Managing Partner, Matt Dixon, identified that a bridge was needed between start-ups and financial investors, providing ‘investor-friendly’ information so the start-ups might better communicate their ideas and needs to the right audience. Our 'Watchlist' report is designed to applaud and enhance the visibility of the most innovative companies within the programme. It contains key information in ‘investor-friendly’ language and interviews with key C-suite representatives of 20+ start-ups.

When speaking to the start-ups, what did you find the most interesting?

What interested me the most was the chance to speak directly with key decision-makers of a diverse set of businesses, typically the founders or owners. This gave me insights into their key differentiators, their vision for the business, and how they are planning to utilise their technologies to disrupt the pharmaceutical landscape industry.

How does speaking with senior executives benefit your day-to-day work?

We function as a network of specialised advisors, and our ability to engage directly with business leaders is essential. Our role often involves serving as intermediaries between various parties and facilitating mutually beneficial transactions. These skills enable us to foster and maintain strong relationships across the entire value chain, which is fundamental to our work.

Where does first-hand data collection fit within your business model?

First-hand data is a cornerstone of our operations and underpins many of the services we offer. We've developed a proprietary database tailored to the chemicals and life sciences sectors containing 10,000+ businesses and many sector-specific categories. Given our primary focus on (typically smaller) independent players, where online data are often not available, our data are often chiefly informed from direct interactions with the business leaders themselves. This approach allows us to maintain up-to-date and precise information, a crucial asset in our line of work.

What are you looking forward to at CPHI Barcelona?

CPHI is a key event for our team as it provides valuable opportunities to engage with key decision-makers throughout the pharmaceutical value chain. We are eager to connect with interesting individuals and explore potential avenues for collaboration, whether related to data or potential strategic and transactional partnerships.

To download the full Watchlist, follow this link.

Follow CCD on LinkedIn.