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Dynata acquires inBrain.ai

Plano-based Dynata, which offers one of the largest first-party data platforms, has acquired a people-based insights and survey platform called inBrain.ai. The deal is meant to boost Dynata’s mission to invest in UX to collect the highest quality data from real consumers, with the aim to uncover actionable insights that enable decision-making. The company said inBrain.ai’s mobile platform will engage consumers—especially those hard-to-reach—more directly.

Dynata’s data platform provides insights, activation, and measurement, while inBrain.ai’s is geared toward consumer engagement and surveys. With the addition of inBrain.ai, Dynata says it will continue to have a blend of data, technology, and tools that meet the growing demand for actionable insights while maintaining an optimal panelist experience.

“This acquisition assures our clients we can continue to deliver the audiences they need while also reinforcing that promise of a fair-value exchange for our members,” Dynata CEO Gary S. Laben said in a statement. “It also maintains our focus on leveraging the best and most innovative technologies to strengthen our services and solutions across the marketing continuum, from uncovering insights to connecting data to measuring and optimizing advertising effectiveness.”

Surgical Notes acquires Zulu Health

Surgical Notes, a portfolio company of Texas-based middle-market PE firm The CapStreet Group, has acquired LA-based revenue cycle management (RCM) provider Zulu Health. As a provider of revenue cycle services for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and surgical hospital markets, Dallas-based Surgical Notes aligns well with Zulu, which focuses on the ASC market. Surgical Notes leadership says the combination adds to its position as “one of the leading RCM services organizations in the industry.”

Zulu Health provides customized solutions like revenue cycle outsourcing and consulting, coding and compliance, and accounts receivable (AR) follow-up. Its RCM services are predominantly geared toward surgery centers. With the deal, Zulu President and CEO Ken Bulow will join Surgical Notes as its new EVP of Operations. Also joining the team are Zulu’s VP of Revenue Cycle Rachael Powell and VP of Operations Carla Reese.

“We could not have found a better home for Zulu Health than with Surgical Notes. We’re exceptionally proud of our work over these past six years, particularly our nearly 100% client retention rate,” Bulow said in a statement. “The joining of our two skilled teams will undoubtedly translate to higher quality services and improved performance for our existing and future clients.”

Blucora’s Avantax acquires Headquarters Advisory Group

The wealth management arm of Dallas-based Blucora has entered an agreement to acquire Headquarters Advisory Group, which manages $1.1 billion in assets, according to the DMN. Blucora’s business arms include Avantax Wealth Management and Avantax Planning Partners, which touts software that is “one of the most popular do-it-yourself programs for filing federal tax returns,” the DMN notes. Upon completion of the transaction, some Headquarters Advisory partners will become financial planning consultants with Avantax Planning Partners.