NEW YORK | March 6th, 2025 – Research Associates Inc. (“RAI”), a leading tech-enabled provider of background screening and due diligence services, announced that it completed a majority recapitalization with a newly formed investment and operations group, rebranded as Thuro. A team of seasoned HR Technology executives is leading Thuro along with the current RAI team.
In 1953 a group of former FBI agents came together in Cleveland, Ohio to start a private investigation firm specializing in corporate and personal cases under the name Research Associates Inc. (“RAI”). Recognizing the need for pre/post-employment screening, RAI quickly translated their skills to the background investigation space and have been providing premium background investigations for the Big 4 accounting firms, Top Tier law firms and businesses from many industries for over 70 years.
RAI is now Thuro, merging history with innovation, preserving its unmatched customer service, results and loyalty. Prior to the recapitalization, the company was owned and managed by Kevin Prendergast, Donna Ogle and Arthur Sommer who acquired the business from its founder in 1999.
Brian Cameron, CEO of RAI noted: “Along with everyone at the company, I am thrilled to guide Thuro into the next generation of what has led us for the last 72 years. Since the company’s founding, we have been providing the most compliant, easy and thorough background investigations. Merging our history with innovation, we will continue to be the premier solution for our clients.”
Kevin Prendergast, President of RAI commented “We’re excited to embark on the next stage of our journey as Thuro. Our focus remains on providing our clients with industry-leading background investigations so that they can hire and grow with confidence.
It was a pleasure working with the Drake Star team. They provided valued strategic advice and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to obtaining the ideal outcome for us. Their deep industry relationships and knowledge of the HR Tech and background screening sector provided access to all the relevant strategic and private equity players in our space.”
Jim Holzer, Managing Partner at Drake Star, said: “Kevin, Donna and Art built a premier background screening and due diligence provider. The world’s leading accounting and law firms rely on RAI for its platinum standard of service. Thuro brings a unique capability and track record to the company which will allow it to execute on its next phase of growth and transform the background screening industry.”
Drake Star Team: Jim Holzer, Stanley Bejanski
Inquiries
For further inquiries, please contact:
James Holzer
Managing Partner | Drake Star
jim.holzer@drakestar.com | +1 212-508-7103
About Thuro by RAI
Thuro is a provider of pre-employment and due diligence services intended to help clients establish effective and legally compliant investigation programs for their businesses. The company offers business investigation and employment screening that include pre-employment background investigations including management-level inquiries and drug or alcohol screening, investigating businesses and due diligence inquiries, and fraud prevention and detection among employees. The company was founded in 1953.
For more information, visit https://www.thuro.ai/
About Drake Star
Drake Star is an award-winning global tech investment bank that has completed over 500 transactions since 2003. The Drake Star global team of experienced professionals and senior advisors across offices in New York, Munich, London, Paris, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berlin, and Dubai* focuses on mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance services worldwide in Software/SaaS, HR Tech, Digital Services, FinTech, Digital Media, Industrial Tech, Consumer & Retail Tech and Mobility & Sustainability.
This testimonial was given by a client. The testimonial is no guarantee of future performance or success. This is not a paid testimonial and no material conflicts of interest exist between the person(s) providing the testimonial and Drake Star. For important disclosures about the awards, please head over to: globalmanetwork.com and www.maadvisor.com/. Drake Star is the marketing name for the global investment bank Drake Star Partners Limited and its subsidiaries and affiliates. In the USA, all securities are transacted through Drake Star Securities LLC. In the USA, Drake Star Securities LLC is regulated by FINRA and is a member of SIPC. Drake Star UK Limited (FRN 942020) is an appointed representative of Razlin Ltd (FRN 730805), which is authorized and regulated by the FCA. © 2025 Drake Star Partners Limited.
For more information, visit www.drakestar.com.
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