Advisory for AI infrastructure and industrial-technology decisions
Free research on this site. Private advisory when the decision matters. Direct engagement with PE sponsors, hyperscaler strategy teams, and industrial acquirers on the deals and architectures they are underwriting.
Enquire about advisory →Where the framework meets the transaction
The essays and companion assets on this site are the framework. Advisory is where the framework gets applied to a specific target, a specific power architecture, or a specific portfolio thesis you are underwriting. Same operator-analyst-investor lens, contained to the deal you are working on, under confidentiality.
Three buyer types drive most current advisory work.
By buyer
PE sponsors and corp dev
Commercial and technical DD on power-electronics, thermal, and data-centre-adjacent acquisitions. Applies the 14-workstream DD framework and the Investment Layer scorecard. Fixed-scope 4-8 week engagements around a single transaction, or retainer across a fund’s power/DC thesis.
See the framework applied: AirTrunk (UNDERWRITE), CoreWeave DDTL (AMBER), Crusoe / Stargate (RESTRUCTURE).
Hyperscaler strategy teams
Power and thermal architecture decisions: 800V DC transition timing, on-site generation (SOFC / SMR / geothermal / gas turbine), cooling vendor selection, grid interconnection sequencing, standards-body positioning. Applies the AI Power Chain framework at layer granularity. 6-12 week architecture-decision engagements, or retainer across a multi-year buildout programme.
Reference material: DC-DC Transition series, Grid-to-Chip, Regulatory Layer.
Industrial acquirers and strategics
For electrical, thermal, automation, and control businesses evaluating AI infrastructure exposure or consolidation strategy. M&A target evaluation, adjacency mapping, integration architecture, post-close operating playbook. Draws on twenty years operating leadership at Eaton, Honeywell, Cisco, and BCG.
Recent applied analysis: ADI / Empower acquisition, DG Matrix underwriting, SST market structure 2026.
How I work
Most engagements start with a scoping call to understand the specific decision, timing, and stakeholder set. From there I propose a tailored scope, timeline, and fee.
Fixed-scope project
Single transaction or single architecture decision. 4-8 weeks depending on depth. Written deliverable at close. Best fit for a live DD or a specific vendor-selection decision.
Retained advisor
Monthly retainer, typically 6-12 months. Ongoing subject-matter access to your team for a specific thesis, portfolio company, or infrastructure programme. Structured monthly check-ins, ad-hoc technical questions, written analysis on request.
Workshop
Half-day or full-day session with your team. Pre-work, tailored slide pack, facilitated discussion. On-site or remote. Decision framework, specific recommendation, and a written follow-up memo within one week.
Named research
Defined-scope research project with a specific deliverable, typically 20-40 pages. Client-anchored; the output can be published under my byline if the topic serves the wider readership. 4-8 week window.
- No hourly billing.
- No RFP responses.
- No competitive shortlists.
- Direct engagement or via warm introduction.
- Independent. No fund carry, no vendor commissions, no undisclosed relationships. Conflicts declared explicitly at scoping.
Background
- Eaton Corporation. Head of EMEA Digital Business. Full P&L on portfolio spanning software platforms, IoT gateways, smart controllers. Utilities, data centres, and industrial customers across 30+ countries.
- Honeywell. Senior general management and commercial leadership. Connected Industrials, Building Automation, Process Solutions.
- Cisco Switzerland. Enterprise technology sales and go-to-market leadership.
- The Boston Consulting Group (London). Growth strategy, commercial due diligence, pricing, operating-model design across industrial, technology, and energy clients.
- Education. MBA from IMD Lausanne. Undergraduate engineering from India.
- Industrial automation and control
- Electrical distribution and critical power
- Data centres and AI infrastructure
- Building automation
- Process industries (oil & gas, petrochemicals, refining, metals & mining, pulp & paper)
- Industrial protocols (IEC 61850, OPC UA, Modbus, BACnet)
- OT/IT cybersecurity (IEC 62443)
- Power electronics, HVDC, 800V architectures
- Liquid cooling, asset performance management, digital twins
Anonymised prior scopes
- PE sponsor evaluating a $500M+ power-electronics acquisition
- Retainer covering technical DD, competitive positioning, integration architecture
- 6 weeks; 3 stakeholder groups (deal team, ops, LPs)
- Output: DD report + integration playbook + LP-facing summary
- Hyperscaler strategy team scoping a 500 MW nuclear PPA
- Capital-stack comparison across restart / SMR / traditional-large routes
- 4 weeks; 20-page written deliverable with 8 charts
- Output: internal decision memo + framework for the next 2-3 similar decisions
Fees scoped per engagement on the initial call.
Enquire about advisory
Send a note describing the situation, the specific decision, and your timing. Response within one business week, usually faster.
adi@adikumar.co →