Belstark
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We identify the AI governance & regulatory risks in your acquisition targets before the deal closes.
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We identify the AI governance & regulatory risks in your acquisition targets before the deal closes.
( The exposure is already live )
EU AI Act enforcement is coming. Most acquisition targets' AI systems have no formal governance, no risk classification, and no compliance documentation. That can be a liability — unless you find it first.
EU AI Act enforcement is coming. Most acquisition targets’ AI systems have no formal governance, no risk classification, and no compliance documentation. That can be a liability — unless you find it first.
Maximum EU AI Act fine (or 7% of global annual turnover). Active since February 2025.
Maximum EU AI Act fine (or 7% of global annual turnover). Active since February 2025.
of organisations have no formal AI governance policy according to Schellman 2026.
of organisations have no formal AI governance policy according to Schellman 2026.
of senior leaders admit their organizations bypassed AI governance processes (EY's US AI Risk & Governance Survey).
of senior leaders admit their organizations bypassed AI governance processes (EY's US AI Risk & Governance Survey).
of companies surveyed by IBM in their 2026 Cost of a Data Breach Report, still don't have governance processes in place.
of companies surveyed by IBM in their 2026 Cost of a Data Breach Report, still don't have governance processes in place.
Our team’s experience includes
A&O Shearman
BCG
J.P. Morgan
Bloomberg
Oxford University
Imperial College London
A&O Shearman
BCG
J.P. Morgan
Bloomberg
Oxford University
Imperial College London
( Why it matters )
Three things deal teams get from a specialist AI risk assessment
( 01 )
Materiality before signing
Know what’s price-chippable before the deal closes
( 01 )
Materiality before signing
Know what’s price-chippable before the deal closes
AI governance gaps, undisclosed high-risk systems, and EU AI Act exposure discovered post-close become indemnity claims and earn-out disputes. Identified pre-close, they become negotiating tools.
( 02 )
Regulatory precision
EU AI Act classification that holds up to scrutiny
( 02 )
Regulatory precision
EU AI Act classification that holds up to scrutiny
We map every identified AI system against the EU AI Act risk tiers and compliance obligations — giving your lawyers findings they can translate directly into representations, warranties, and deal protections.
( 03 )
Clean post-close inheritance
A remediation roadmap built into the report
( 03 )
Clean post-close inheritance
A remediation roadmap built into the report
Every assessment includes a post-close remediation roadmap — so the acquiring entity knows exactly what to fix, in what order, and at what estimated cost. No surprises after signing.
( Scoped assessments )
How we work with deal teams
AI Risk Assessments
Identify AI regulatory exposure, governance gaps, data risks, and contractual liability. Receive a prioritised findings report with practical recommendations to manage material risks.
AI Risk Assessments
Identify AI regulatory exposure, governance gaps, data risks, and contractual liability. Receive a prioritised findings report with practical recommendations to manage material risks.
AI Risk Assessments
Identify AI regulatory exposure, governance gaps, data risks, and contractual liability. Receive a prioritised findings report with practical recommendations to manage material risks.
Pre-Deal AI Risk Due Diligence
Specialist AI risk due diligence alongside your existing deal workstream. Assess the target’s AI systems, compliance exposure, and governance maturity before signing, with clear findings and recommended deal protections.
AI Risk Snapshot
Specialist AI risk due diligence alongside your existing deal workstream. Assess the target’s AI systems, compliance exposure, and governance maturity before signing, with clear findings and recommended deal protections.
Pre-Deal AI Risk Due Diligence
Specialist AI risk due diligence alongside your existing deal workstream. Assess the target’s AI systems, compliance exposure, and governance maturity before signing, with clear findings and recommended deal protections.
AI Governance Training
Focused workshops for executives, partners, and teams. Build practical skills in responsible AI governance, regulatory compliance, and risk-informed decision-making.
Post-Deal AI Governance
Focused workshops for executives, partners, and teams. Build practical skills in responsible AI governance, regulatory compliance, and risk-informed decision-making.
AI Governance Training
Focused workshops for executives, partners, and teams. Build practical skills in responsible AI governance, regulatory compliance, and risk-informed decision-making.
AI Risk & Regulation Research
A recurring research subscription keeping your team informed on AI risk and regulation. Receive ongoing analysis of regulatory developments, emerging risks, and practical implications for your organisation.
AI Governance Training
A recurring research subscription keeping your team informed on AI risk and regulation. Receive ongoing analysis of regulatory developments, emerging risks, and practical implications for your organisation.
AI Risk & Regulation Research
A recurring research subscription keeping your team informed on AI risk and regulation. Receive ongoing analysis of regulatory developments, emerging risks, and practical implications for your organisation.
Tell us your deal context — sector, target profile, and timeline — and we’ll confirm scope and fee within 24 hours.
( How it works )
Four steps from instruction to findings
( 01 )
AI risk audit & scope confirmation
We review the target profile, deal timeline, and available documentation. We confirm scope, fee, and minimum lead time — typically within 24 hours of your enquiry.
( 01 )
AI risk audit & scope confirmation
We review the target profile, deal timeline, and available documentation. We confirm scope, fee, and minimum lead time — typically within 24 hours of your enquiry.
( 02 )
Document review and management session
We review relevant data room documentation and conduct a structured 2–3 hour session with management. We work from a fixed question set mapped to EU AI Act obligations.
( 02 )
Document review and management session
We review relevant data room documentation and conduct a structured 2–3 hour session with management. We work from a fixed question set mapped to EU AI Act obligations.
( 03 )
Assessment and report drafting
We analyse findings across six risk categories: AI system inventory, regulatory exposure, governance gaps, data risk, contractual flags, and materiality. We draft the full report.
( 03 )
Assessment and report drafting
We analyse findings across six risk categories: AI system inventory, regulatory exposure, governance gaps, data risk, contractual flags, and materiality. We draft the full report.
( 04 )
Delivery and deal team briefing
We deliver the written report and, where needed, a short verbal briefing for the deal team or lawyers. Findings are structured for direct translation into deal protections.
( 04 )
Delivery and deal team briefing
We deliver the written report and, where needed, a short verbal briefing for the deal team or lawyers. Findings are structured for direct translation into deal protections.
We’ll confirm scope, timeline, and fixed fee for your specific deal — no commitment required.
+500
deals assessed across PE, M&A, and corporate transactions
Belstark integrates into your existing DD process as a specialist AI risk sub-adviser — no disruption to your workstream, clear findings before signing.
Belstark integrates into your existing DD process as a specialist AI risk sub-adviser — no disruption to your workstream, clear findings before signing.
Fixed scope. Fixed fee. Written report. Deal-specific findings.
Fixed scope. Fixed fee. Written report. Deal-specific findings.
( Read our blog )
AI risk in PE, VC and M&A — What deal teams need to know
We publish practical, deal-relevant intelligence on AI risk — not legal commentary, not thought leadership for its own sake.
( CONTACT US )
We are always here to help answer all your questions
We are always here to help answer all your questions
We are always here to help answer all your questions
Common questions from deal teams
What does Belstark assess?
How do you work alongside our advisers?
What do you need to start, and how is scope agreed?
Can you help on a compressed timeline?
Is this a legal opinion or a compliance guarantee?
What happens after delivery, and how may the report be used?
What does Belstark assess?
How do you work alongside our advisers?
What do you need to start, and how is scope agreed?
Can you help on a compressed timeline?
Is this a legal opinion or a compliance guarantee?
What happens after delivery, and how may the report be used?
Belstark.
Specialist AI risk assessment for private equity, venture capital and mergers & acquisitions due diligence. Written findings. Fixed fee. Deal-specific.
Belstark.
Specialist AI risk assessment for private equity, venture capital and mergers & acquisitions due diligence. Written findings. Fixed fee. Deal-specific.
Belstark.
Specialist AI risk assessment for private equity, venture capital and mergers & acquisitions due diligence. Written findings. Fixed fee. Deal-specific.