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By Kison Patel
4.9
114114 ratings
The podcast currently has 432 episodes available.
Yogesh Gupta, President and CEO at Progress Software
In M&A, closing the deal is just the beginning. The true measure of success comes from effective execution post-close. Mastering this phase demands transparent leadership and strategic agility—qualities that can significantly influence whether an acquisition thrives or flounders.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Yogesh Gupta, President and CEO of Progress Software, explores how clear leadership and adaptable strategies are pivotal for M&A success. He shares insights into building a strong foundation and ensuring seamless integration, even before the deal is inked.
Things you will learn:
• Crafting a clear and actionable M&A strategy
• Establishing leadership and building a foundation before pursuing M&A
• Strategic AI integration
• Ensuring fit and managing integration risk at the LOI stage
• Balancing objectivity and cultural fit in M&A decision-making
*Bonus Mini Interview: The Evolving Landscape of M&A Data with Jack Glazebrook, VP and Head of North America Sales and Account Management for Corporates at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Today, data is everything, and the M&A industry is no different. Professionals must learn to harness and utilize the power of technology and data to increase efficiency.
In this mini interview, Jack Glazebrook, VP and Head of North America Sales and Account Management for Corporates at S&P Global Market Intelligence, discusses the evolving landscape of M&A data and how it impacts M&A professionals.
Things you will learn:
• Embracing AI for Enhanced Efficiency
• Leveraging Alternative Data Sources
• Utilizing Capital IQ Pro
• Accessing Private Company Data
• Workflow Efficiency through Technology
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This episode is sponsored by S&P Global. S&P Global Market Intelligence has private companies covered. Whether you’re looking for your next investment or M&A target, conducting peer comparisons, assessing counterparty credit risk, or monitoring your supply chain, S&P Capital IQ Pro's extensive private company data can give you the insights you need for a competitive edge. Uncover tangible insights on private companies by visiting spglobal.com/privatecompanydata
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
07:52 The reality of being a CEO in a publicly-traded company
12:29 Crafting a clear and actionable M&A strategy
15:21 Conducting diligence and understanding the business in the first 90 days
18:22 Establishing leadership and building a foundation before pursuing M&A
24:05 How the strategy evolved
25:05 Strategic AI integration
28:27 Executing successful M&A deals
30:51 Ensuring fit and managing integration risk at the LOI stage
34:26 Balancing objectivity and cultural fit in M&A decision-making
38:42 Building trust through transparency in M&A relationships
40:25 Influencing a sale by building long-term relationships
43:10 Maintaining valuation discipline in acquisition negotiations
45:31 Managing transparent employee communication
51:12 Staying agile to overcome integration challenges in M&A
54:33 Craziest thing in M&A
55:58 Bonus Interview with Jack Blazebrook: The Evolving Landscape of M&A Data
Dr. Tianyi Jiang, CEO at AvePoint
Raising capital is only half the battle. The real challenge is fostering strong relationships with investors while ensuring your business continues to grow. It’s easy to focus on securing funds, but investors look for more than just short-term returns. Without that clarity, it’s harder to build lasting trust and keep things moving forward.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Dr. Tianyi Jiang, CEO at AvePoint, explains how to navigate investor relations and capital raising for sustainable growth.
Things you will learn:
• Engineering discipline in M&A
• Lessons in driving growth through organic and inorganic strategies
• Building a strong distribution network
• Balancing primary and secondary capital
• Capital advantages of going public
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This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
04:53 Engineering discipline in M&A
07:08 Lessons in driving growth through organic and inorganic strategies
11:37 Building a strong distribution network
13:36 The importance of strategic capital raising for long-term growth
17:41 How to recapitalize and scale without losing control
20:30 Structuring a recap
22:11 Balancing primary and secondary capital
24:32 Maintaining control and avoiding founder dilution
28:42 Maximizing returns while retaining control
30:14 How going public challenges companies to maintain discipline and long-term focus
34:20 Capital advantages of going public
36:46 Structuring acquisitions and aligning acquirer and founder interests
40:20 Strategic capital allocation to drive growth
42:29 Key advice for growing, raising capital, and allocating resources
45:30 Craziest thing in M&A
Davis Thacker, Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate Development at Carta
The M&A process is notoriously tricky—everyone loves talking about getting the deal done, but few focus on the real work that comes after. Integration, valuation shifts, and cultural alignment often prove to be the biggest roadblocks to a successful acquisition. How do you avoid the common pitfalls that derail so many deals post-close?
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Davis Thacker, Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate Development at Carta, shares his expert strategies on executing successful M&A.
Things you will learn:
• Sourcing unbounded deals
• Driving accountability for successful integration
• Building consistency and early integration
• Advice on building a collaborative relationship with your CEO
• How to maintain a consistent people experience
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This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
07:38 Discovering unbounded deal opportunities
09:00 Sourcing unbounded deals
13:21 Deal execution lessons: Adapting M&A strategy based on business growth
15:22 Driving accountability for successful integration
17:34 Building consistency and early integration
20:28 Working with the CEO
22:08 Advice on building a collaborative relationship with your CEO
24:01 Cultural challenges of international deals
27:42 Creating a positive people experience in M&A
31:04 How to maintain a consistent people experience
35:22 Balancing cultural integration
37:30 Mapping international growth in venture markets
39:18 Key tips for transitioning from domestic to international M&A
41:20 Navigating valuations and stakeholder interests in deal negotiations
43:29 Aligning non-price factors in M&A - Come back to culture
44:17 Craziest Thing in M&A
Todd Henrich, SVP Head of Corporate Development at Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG)
Today's M&A market conditions are volatile, regulatory scrutiny is high, and the pressure to find value is greater than ever. The risks of entering a deal without a firm understanding of today’s market dynamics have never been more pronounced. How do you ensure your strategic acquisitions stay on course?
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we explore the best practices for executing strategic M&A in today's market with Todd Henrich, SVP Head of Corporate Development at Booking Holdings.
Things you will learn:
• The ripple effects of regulatory overreach on M&A and investment
• Shaping strategy through M&A setbacks
• Using M&A as a tool, not a strategy
• How global regulatory collaboration is impacting M&A activity
• Key targets and red flags when building an investment thesis
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
05:02 The impact of changing regulations on M&A deals
08:01 The ripple effects of regulatory overreach on M&A and investment
11:40 Shaping strategy through M&A setbacks
12:49 Using M&A as a tool, not a strategy
15:59 How global regulatory collaboration is impacting M&A activity
18:13 Adapting to regulatory rules
19:21 Ensuring strategic alignment and long-term value in M&A
22:49 Sourcing deals
23:38 The Rocketmiles acquisition success story
26:48 Key targets and red flags when building an investment thesis
30:16 The AI hype
31:38 Managing the hidden costs of M&A
36:08 The importance of an integration team in M&A success
37:39 Balancing valuation and integration costs in M&A
39:19 Other reasons deals can go awry
43:39 Key lessons in M&A: Doing deals that matter
46:59 Handling surprises in M&A deals
53:21 The importance of buyer-led M&A processes for long-term success
55:09 Craziest Thing in M&A
Charles Webb, Lead Antitrust Counsel at FedEx (NYSE: FDX)
When it comes to mergers and acquisitions, everyone loves to talk about synergies, growth, and market share. However, these enticing prospects can quickly dim if regulatory compliance risks are overlooked. While not the most glamorous aspect of M&A, compliance forms the bedrock that ensures deals are legally sound and smoothly executed.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Charles Webb, Lead Antitrust Counsel at FedEx, discusses how to manage regulatory compliance risks in M&A.
Things you will learn:
• Different types of regulatory compliance risks in M&A
• Applicability of antitrust framework to companies
• The evolution of antitrust laws
• The importance of avoiding Gun Jumping
• Increased aggressiveness of antitrust regulators
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:40 Different types of regulatory compliance risks in M&A
14:41 Applicability of antitrust framework to companies
20:47 Impact of HSR filing on the deal timeline
22:43 What does the HSR form look like?
24:56 How to land the narrative in a merger
28:25 The Origins of the Sherman Act
29:47 The Magna Carta of Free Enterprise
30:03 Fast forward 1914
30:36 Amendments and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act
31:33 The evolution of antitrust laws
33:47 Risks during the waiting period
39:33 The importance of avoiding Gun Jumping
42:22 Best practices for internal communication during a deal
44:01 Understanding deal review risk in advance
46:11 What happens if a deal is rejected?
50:11 Increased aggressiveness of antitrust regulators
51:41 Real consequences for gun jumping
53:05 Balancing integration planning with gun jumping risks
57:43 The key to preparing for regulatory compliance
58:52 Craziest Thing in M&A
Henry Ward, CEO and Co-founder at Carta,
M&A has become a critical tool for companies to stay competitive in today’s fast-changing market. But success in acquisitions now requires more than just speed—it demands a strategic approach that aligns with long-term goals and adapts to industry shifts.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Henry Ward, CEO and Co-founder of Carta, shares his insights on how businesses can refine their M&A strategies to thrive in an evolving corporate landscape.
Things you will learn:
• Building the case for actionability
• How to convince founders to sell
• Valuing high-growth companies
• Bounded vs. unbounded acquisitions
• Balancing disciplined acquisitions with opportunistic ventures
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps00:00 Intro
06:30 First failed acquisition story
09:13 Lessons learned during early deals
14:06 Building the case for actionability
16:31 Convincing founders to sell
26:06 Valuing high-growth companies
28:26 Bridging valuation gaps
31:48 Acquihires and product tuck-ins
35:39 Bounded vs. unbounded acquisitions
40:40 Lessons from unbounded M&A deals
44:22 Strategic capital allocation
46:33 Evaluating pipelines and allocating resources
48:10 How to make successful Corp Dev team and CEO relationships
50:25 Integration expectations from stakeholders
53:31 Thoughts on international expansion
56:02 Craziest thing in M&A
Camilo Franco, Director of M&A Integration and Operations and Matt Arsenault, VP of Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances at Jamf (NASDAQ: JAMF)
Too often in M&A, diligence and integration operate in separate lanes. Diligence focuses on uncovering risks, while integration is left scrambling to make everything fit once the ink is dry. It’s a classic case of working in silos, and it’s leaving value on the table. But there's a way to break down those barriers from the start.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Matt Arsenault, VP of Corporate Development & Strategic Alliances at Jamf, and Camilo Franco, Director of M&A Integration and Operations, show us how to transform these silos into synergy by aligning diligence and integration from day one.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Implementing a proactive buyer-led M&A strategy
• Synchronizing diligence and integration planning
• The importance of integration-led diligence
• Building and refining the integration thesis
• Collaborating with sellers to shape a seamless integration plan
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This episode is sponsored by Grata. Grata is the leading platform for private market dealmaking. With innovative AI and diligence-grade data, Grata makes it easy to find and evaluate targets from the outside looking in. Win more with Grata.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps00:00 Intro
04:46 Implementing a proactive buyer-led M&A strategy
06:21 Synchronizing diligence and integration planning
09:12 The importance of integration-led diligence
10:25 Early integration planning pre-LOI
13:05 Building and refining the integration thesis
15:58 Balancing due diligence and integration
19:10 Building confidence in early integration planning
21:53 Collaborating with sellers to shape a seamless integration plan
24:48 Measuring success from diligence to integration
27:44 Balancing aggressive integration goals with realistic expectations
29:59 Balancing AI hype with core business strategy in M&A pipelines
32:04 Best practices for evaluating intangible factors in an acquisition
33:52 Craziest thing in M&A
Jann Lau, Senior Director, Corporate Development at PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL)
A well-crafted deal thesis is the cornerstone of any successful M&A transaction. It outlines the strategic rationale and anticipated value creation from the acquisition. However, a strong thesis alone isn't enough. To ensure the deal delivers on its promise, it's crucial to rigorously validate its assumptions and projections.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jann Lau, Senior Director of Corporate Development at PayPal, shares key strategies for validating the deal thesis and mitigating risks associated with M&A.
Things you will learn:
• The importance of validating the deal thesis
• The risks of rushing M&A deals without proper alignment
• How to effectively validate a deal thesis
• Who takes the blame in corporate development for a bad deal?
• Other ways to streamline the M&A process
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This episode is sponsored by Spearhead Corp Dev, a leading buy-side advisory firm. Spearhead combines traditional deal origination and advisory with advanced AI to help corporations and mid-market PE firms find and close more off-market deals with certainty. Their approach supercharges proprietary deal flow, providing a greater choice of opportunities. Elevate your deal sourcing by visiting spearheadcorpdev.com.
This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
04:36 The Yahoo! acquisition
09:27 The importance of validating the deal thesis
13:42 The risks of rushing M&A deals without proper alignment
16:25 How to effectively validate a deal thesis
20:55 Example on how to effectively validate a deal thesis
26:29 Risks of not validating the deal thesis
29:42 Crafting a deal thesis
33:31 Pitching the deal thesis
36:38 Integration as a deal driver
39:47 Who takes the blame in corporate development for a bad deal?
40:53 Key questions to nail down your deal thesis
42:09 Balancing gut instinct and stakeholder buy-in in M&A decisions
44:20 Lessons from deal surprises
46:13 When to walk away from a deal
48:16 Other ways to streamline the M&A process
50:34 Craziest thing in M&A
Gregg Albert, Managing Partner - Corporate Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions at Accenture (NYSE: ACN)
Companies are facing immense pressure to stay agile, seize new opportunities, and maintain a competitive advantage in today's rapidly evolving business environment. One key strategy to achieve this is portfolio rebalancing, a critical initiative that helps businesses optimize their asset mix and drive sustainable growth.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Gregg Albert, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy M&A at Accenture, discusses in-depth, what is portolio rebalancing and how it could help your company.
Things you will learn:
• The difference between an opinionated shareholder and an activist investor
• Companies that attract activist investors
• How to approach portfolio rebalancing
• Addressing integration bottlenecks
• The challenges of divestitures in portfolio rebalancing
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This episode is sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
08:57 The importance of portfolio rebalancing
11:56 The broader scope of portfolio rebalancing
14:56 Evolving perspectives on portfolio rebalancing: activist investors
16:56 The difference between an opinionated shareholder and an activist
19:11 Companies that attract activist investors
21:38 How to approach portfolio rebalancing
26:24 Key stages in M&A transactions
29:38 Addressing integration bottlenecks
32:34 The challenges of divestitures in portfolio rebalancing
35:21 Portfolio rebalancing example
39:57 How influence works in the boardroom
42:21 How to be an activist investor
44:32 Defending against shareholder activism
47:02 Audience Q&A
47:43 Characteristics of companies with a strong M&A muscle
49:31 Challenges faced by companies with a weaker M&A muscle
51:09 The importance of prioritizing capital allocation in M&A
54:40 Portfolio rebalancing in private equity-owned businesses
58:14 Carve-outs in private equity portfolios
1:00:15 Understanding wargaming in strategic planning
1:04:15 Choosing the right advisor for your business needs
1:07:35 Future trends in M&A and portfolio rebalancing
1:09:31 Advice for companies on portfolio management
1:11:46 Craziest thing in M&A
Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar (SHA:601012)
In M&A, it’s not just about the deal—it’s about who’s at the table. In-house and external counsel both play key roles in a deal, bringing unique expertise and advantages. Knowing how to strategically utilize both can help you manage risks, secure favorable terms, and ensure smooth post-deal integration.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar, shares how to play to the strengths of both sides to optimize your M&A approach.
Things you will learn from this episode:
• Balancing in-house and external legal roles
• Mindset differences in in-house vs. external counsel
• Tactical vs. strategic roles in legal counsel
• Risk mitigation: external vs. internal counsel
• Choosing the right external counsel for M&A deals
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This episode is sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.
Ready to streamline your M&A process? Visit dealroom.net today.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
06:15 Balancing in-house and external legal roles
08:59 The intensity of external legal work
10:06 Mindset differences in in-house vs. external counsel
12:56 Tactical vs. strategic roles in legal counsel
15:54 Understanding negotiation perspectives
20:56 Risk mitigation: external vs. internal counsel
23:47 Cross-functional collaboration in risk mitigation
28:19 Assessing law firm culture
29:34 Best and worst-case scenario of M&A deals
36:15 Choosing the right external counsel for M&A deals
39:36 Building relationships with legal counsel for future M&A deals
42:57 Managing diligence: pre-term sheet vs. post-term sheet
45:45 Identifying red flags before signing the LOI
48:27 Collaborating with internal stakeholders pre-LOI vs post-LOI
54:46 The Impact of AI on the legal profession
58:29 Craziest thing in M&A
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