YipitData, an alternative-data provider backed by Carlyle Group, is exploring a sale that could value the business at more than $2.5bn, according to Reuters. Goldman Sachs is advising on the process, which could attract strategic buyers and private equity firms.

Carlyle led its funding round in December 2021, when the company was valued at more than $1bn. A sale in the $2.5bn to $3bn range would represent more than double that mark in under five years. Norwest Venture Partners also retains a stake.

Interest is driven by artificial intelligence, as investors seek proprietary datasets to train AI models. Founded in 2010 by Vinicius Vacanti and James Moran, YipitData turns billions of data points into analytics for over 650 customers, including Walmart and Lowe’s.

The business is on target to generate about $280m in annual recurring revenue this year, with sales growing at more than 30%. This high-growth profile mirrors recent premium deals, such as Sixth Street's acquisition of Kpler.