Middle-market technology investor Eterna Growth Partners has appointed software industry veteran Brett Eddy as AI Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Advisor, strengthening its efforts to deploy artificial intelligence across its portfolio companies as private equity firms increasingly look to AI as a driver of operational value creation.
Based in Boston, Eterna said Eddy will work closely with management teams to accelerate AI adoption, with an initial focus on research and development and engineering functions, where AI-enabled productivity and software development are becoming increasingly important competitive differentiators.
Eddy’s remit includes developing best practices for AI implementation, benchmarking productivity, addressing adoption challenges and helping portfolio companies ensure AI tools are deployed securely and in compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.
The appointment reflects a broader trend across private equity, with firms expanding their operating partner and advisory networks to help portfolio companies integrate generative AI into product development, software engineering and business operations.
Eddy joins Eterna after serving as Executive Director of Technology at Palo Alto Strategy Group, where he led technology due diligence and value creation assessments for private equity sponsors and strategic acquirers. During a career spanning more than 25 years, he has evaluated over 200 software acquisition opportunities and participated in more than 150 technology diligence and operational improvement engagements covering transactions with an aggregate enterprise value exceeding $25bn.
He has also previously worked with Eterna’s investment team on several transactions, including due diligence assignments involving existing portfolio companies.
Eterna said its specialist focus on middle-market technology businesses allows it to move quickly in recruiting sector experts capable of supporting portfolio company growth. The firm believes AI will become an increasingly important source of competitive advantage across software and technology markets, making specialist operational expertise a key component of its investment strategy.