Data Society Group, a newly rebranded platform of Growth Catalyst Partners, is on the hunt for acquisitions of content, events, tools and services around business data, CEO Doug Llewellyn said.

“I could see one or two more deals before year end,” he said.

The Washington DC-based platform was created in mid-August 2023 by the private equity firm with the initial acquisition of The Data Lodge, a company that trains data analytics trainers, around Labor Day. “They ([GCP]) saw an opportunity to help businesses use data science to improve business decisions and outcomes,” he said.

Future acquisitions could be of research and insights providers, such as another business-to-business publication like recently acquired CDO Magazine, he said. Data Society could also acquire events companies, software tools and advisory service providers. Without giving a dollar range, he said companies should be beyond the startup phase, with 10 to 100 people. Data Society is looking primarily in the US but would consider global deals as well, he said.

After acquiring CDO Magazine, its second add-on, in September 2023, the company acquired Data Society, a training business, this month and rechristened the platform as Data Society Group. The combined company has roughly 100 employees and is growing rapidly, Llewellyn said, without disclosing revenue. GCP controls the majority, said Llewellyn, who became CEO in mid-September.

“Data is so ubiquitous that everyone needs to know how to use it better. We help you use your people more effectively around data and AI workforce development opportunities,” he said. The platform provides training, advisory and software solutions.

The company, which is profitable, competes with boutique consultants and training companies such as Coursera, as well as large consulting firms like Bain & Co., Accenture, and BCG, Llewellyn said.

GCP helps identify potential deal targets and Data Society Group executives have many contacts in the industry, he said.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; Clare Advisors and District Financial advised Data Society on its acquisition by GCP.