Tracy Barba with the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics has received a $150,000 award from the Ford Foundation.
This research seeks to understand how responsible Al practices influence acquisition valuation and investment decision-making. Specifically, it investigates how acquirers assess the presence or : responsible and ethical Al practices when evaluating potential Al company acquisitions. The scope includes acquisitions across all stages of company maturity-from early-stage startups to later- growth companies-reflecting diverse acquisition strategies.
We are focusing on this research because investors are most likely to take action when they understand the potential material financial risks involved. By identifying how responsible Al practices acquirer behavior and valuation decisions, we aim to clarify where governance gaps may lead to pricing consequences or post-deal friction. By targeting active acquirers of Al companies, including corporate development professionals at leading tech firms and growth and buyout-focused private equity investors, this project will exam responsible technology considerations shape valuation, diligence priorities, and perceived risk. The findings will offer institutional investors a practical lens for integrating responsible innovation due diligence frameworks