M&A Research Analyst

Role at a Glance

Job Title: M&A Research Analyst
Department: Origination – M&A
Role Type: Full-Time
HoldCo / PortCo: HoldCo – Exa Capital
Reporting Manager: M&A Manager, Origination (Toronto)
Job Timings: 2PM – 10PM (Pakistan Time)
Work Culture: Hybrid
Location: NASTP, Karachi

The Opportunity

We are seeking a M&A Research Analyst to strengthen our M&A Team’s research, data, and origination engine. The Research Analyst will assist with proactive CRM management, supporting the origination team by identifying and flagging high potential companies within our proprietary database that are ripe for outreach. The individual will also help with data collection and qualification, as well as develop insights that drive investment decisions, including industry trend analysis, competitor benchmarking, and market research.

This position is ideal for a highly analytical, curious, and detail-oriented professional who thrives on structured research and taking a data-driven approach. This individual will play a strategic role within our M&A function.

What You'll Do

CRM Management and Support (80%)

• Work within our CRM to assist with task management and proactively flag high-potential companies to the NA M&A Origination team based on key criteria and research findings
• Assist with prioritization of target companies within our database, ensuring no high-value targets are missed
• Ensure data cleanliness and maintain existing data quality

Market Research, Industry Research, & Competitor Analysis (10%)

• Conduct industry specific research to identify trends, risks, and growth drivers in vertical software markets to strengthen our understanding of a target’s vertical
• Build structured research reports summarizing industry dynamics and emerging trends
• Conduct in-depth analysis of the competitive landscape for active deals, identifying key market participants, their business models, pricing strategies, value propositions, and differentiating products or service features to inform positioning and deal evaluation
• Develop competitor summaries to support origination and due diligence phases

Cross-Functional Collaboration (10%)

• Partner closely with the M&A team to provide research that enhances decision-making
• Synthesize research into clear internal memos or slide summaries for management review
• Support the Origination team with list research, target profiling, and ad-hoc data requests

What You’ll Bring

Required:

• 1–3 years of experience in data research, data analytics, business intelligence, or M&A support roles
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Data Analysis, Engineering, or a related field
• Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to interpret and structure large datasets
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with CRMs (e.g., HubSpot) is a plus
• Excellent written English and presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Preferred:

• Prior experience researching or analyzing software/SaaS businesses strongly preferred
• Curiosity about M&A, investment strategy, and long-term ownership models
• Ability to translate data into insights and recommendations
• Self-starter with a sense of ownership, accountability, and a continuous improvement mindset

Benefits & Perks

We take care of our people so they can do their best work. Here's what's waiting for you at Exa:

Health Insurance: Cashless treatment nationwide, coverage begins day one
Life Insurance: Covers death, disability & terminal illness, protection for you and your family
OPD Pool: Annual outpatient allowance beyond the core health plan
Hybrid Work: 3 days onsite, 2 days WFH
Discretionary Bonus: Annual discretionary Bonus based on Performance.
Monthly Fuel Allowance: 100L Fuel Allowance
Paid Time Off: Annual, Sick, Maternity and Paternity leaves
Referral Bonus (Exa specific): Up to Rs 15,000
Gratuity Allowance: Gratuity after 1 year of service
Growth: Room to grow, fast as Exa's portfolio expands, so does the scope of what you can own. Good work here doesn't sit still.

About Exa Capital

Exa Capital is a permanent capital holding company that acquires and grows vertical market software businesses. Simply put, we invest in established software companies with the intention of owning them for the long term — not buying, growing, and selling them. This allows our portfolio companies to focus on sustainable growth while continuing to serve the industries and customers they know best.

Our decentralized model gives teams the freedom to operate, make decisions, and take ownership, while benefiting from the support, knowledge, and resources available across Exa Capital and its portfolio companies.

For our people, this means being part of an international and growing group where there are opportunities to work across different businesses, collaborate with global teams, take ownership early, and contribute to work that has a visible impact.

Our culture is collaborative, fast-paced, and people-focused. We value open communication, continuous learning, fresh ideas, and people who take initiative. Whether you're joining Exa Capital or one of our portfolio companies, we want you to feel supported in your growth, recognized for your contribution, and empowered to leave things better than you found them.

To learn more about our business and portfolio, visit exacapital.co.

Equal Opportunity

Exa Capital is a meritocratic, people-first employer. We evaluate every candidate on skills, potential, and fit with our principles — and we're committed to a fair, respectful hiring process for everyone who applies.

Ready to build something that lasts?

Send your resume to [email protected] to apply

Application Question(s):

• Current Compensation
• Expected Compensation

Experience:

• relevant: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person