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Most AI initiatives in private equity portfolios never translate into EBITDA uplift. This article explains why value gets lost, how ROI fog forms, and what operating partners consistently underestimate.

Private equity has poured billions into MSP roll-ups over the last decade. The thesis is familiar: acquire strong regional operators, standardise operations, unlock scale, and expand margins. On paper, it works. In reality, most MSP platforms hit an invisible wall somewhere between acquisition #2 and #4.

Across private equity portfolios, the same conversation repeats itself. An AI pilot shows promise. A proof of concept is funded. Early results look encouraging. Then time passes.

The phrase "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP) is often misunderstood. For some, it conjures up images of half-baked apps or clunky demos that never see the light of day. But done properly, MVPs are one of the most powerful tools in digital transformation.

Every company claims to be “data-driven.” In reality, most are data-hoarders. They collect terabytes of numbers, stash them in silos, and then brag about “digital transformation” while decision-making still happens on instinct. Here’s the brutal truth: data that isn’t productised is wasted.

Every business leader wants to talk about AI, automation, and data-driven decisions. Yet behind the glossy slide decks lies a more mundane truth: most organisations are still shackled by legacy systems.

Every organisation has them. The creaking finance platform from the 90s. The CRM that no one loves but everyone depends on. The on-prem server hiding under a desk in IT.

Every business has ideas. The challenge is knowing which ones are worth pursuing. Too often, digital transformation stalls because organisations spend months in meetings, debating strategies, but never actually test anything in the real world.

Immersive training simulations change the game. By using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), organisations can create realistic scenarios where employees learn by doing—without real-world consequences.