Private Equity Affiliate Buys Majority Stake in InCrowd

In the US, an affiliate of private equity firm SARORAS Private Capital has acquired a majority stake in healthcare market research firm InCrowd, which has since appointed former Dynata exec Daniel Fitzgerald as CEO. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

InCrowd offers a DIY platform to connect pharma, medical device and life sciences firms with 'crowds' of screened and targeted healthcare professionals. As part of the investment, former Dynata exec Fitzgerald (pictured) joins as Chief Executive Officer and President, replacing founder Janet Kosloff. He has more than 25 years' management and operating experience in the insights and data services sectors, and most recently served as Managing Partner at Reimagine Holdings Group (now Dynata). Before this, he was Chief Client and Marketing Officer at WPP-owned Lightspeed; General Manager for the Americas for GMI (acquired by WPP in 2011), and he held senior roles at Affinova and Knowledge Networks.

While InCrowd founders Kosloff, and former company President Diane Hayes will continue as investors and become members of InCrowd's Board of Directors, SARORAS says its team, led by incoming Board Chairman John Almeida, will work closely with InCrowd's management team to support an 'aggressive growth strategy.'

Commenting on the news, Kosloff added: 'Diane and I are excited about the next phase of growth for InCrowd. Our new investors have significant experience building and growing businesses in our industry. We have great alignment of vision and strategy and look forward to working with them to build on the success we have had to date. Our team will thrive under their leadership, and our clients will continue to enjoy high-quality insights and service.'

Web site: www.incrowdnow.com .