Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group, shares his expertise in private equity and M&A to transform businesses into profitable empires. He discusses strategies for building a resilient company, emphasizing the importance of customer retention and recurring revenue. Coffey reveals how software can enhance M&A operations, and the benefits of strategic acquisitions for growth. He also highlights the significance of effective communication and outreach in navigating business acquisitions to maximize valuation.

Art Papas, CEO of Bullhorn, shares his insightful journey from tech founder to M&A leader in the staffing software space. He discusses how strategic buyer-led acquisitions can drive growth, leveraging customer insights to identify opportunities. Papas emphasizes the balance between control and growth with private equity backing, and the need for clear communication during organizational changes. He also recounts a successful M&A deal made during the pandemic, showcasing the importance of adaptability and bold decision-making in challenging times.

Avinash Patel, a Partner at PJT Partners, shares his expertise on the critical role of investment bankers in M&A. He discusses the challenge of reputation, emphasizing the importance of trust and long-term relationships. Avinash explains the strategic differences when working with public versus private companies and how to evaluate the right private equity partners. He also highlights the shifting power dynamics in M&A and the necessity of understanding seller motivations for successful transactions.

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   ******************* 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.   ******************* 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 of AvePoint, shares his journey from Wall Street to tech entrepreneurship, revealing how a pivotal moment inspired his shift to founding a data management solutions company. He emphasizes the critical balance of investor relations and capital raising for sustainable growth, stressing that fostering strong relationships is key. Jiang discusses the importance of strategic acquisitions post-IPO, effective capital allocation, and the need for cultural alignment in M&A, all while managing investor expectations for long-term success.

Davis Thacker, Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate Development at Carta, shares his expertise in M&A execution. He highlights the often-overlooked challenges of integration and cultural alignment post-acquisition. Thacker discusses sourcing unbounded deals and driving accountability throughout the integration process. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with CEOs and the need for early integration planning. Listeners gain insights into avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring a consistent people experience during transitions.

Todd Henrich, SVP Head of Corporate Development at Booking Holdings, shares his extensive experience in strategic M&A during an era marked by volatility and regulatory scrutiny. He discusses the ripple effects of regulatory overreach and the importance of understanding market dynamics. Todd emphasizes that M&A should be viewed as a tool rather than a strategy, outlining how to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and identify key targets. He also shares insights on leveraging AI responsibly amidst the risks of over-hyped promises, ensuring informed decision-making in acquisitions.

Charles Webb, Lead Antitrust Counsel at FedEx, brings a wealth of expertise in navigating the intricate world of regulatory compliance in M&A. He discusses various compliance risks, particularly focusing on the evolving antitrust framework and the importance of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Webb emphasizes avoiding 'gun-jumping' and engaging proactively with regulators. The conversation highlights the significance of consistent narratives and careful data management, providing essential insights for successfully maneuvering through compliance challenges during mergers.

Henry Ward, CEO and Co-founder of Carta, shares his wealth of knowledge on M&A strategies, emphasizing their critical role in today's competitive landscape. He explores how businesses can refine their approaches to align with long-term goals. Topics include building actionable cases for acquisitions, valuing high-growth companies, and the differences between bounded and unbounded deals. Ward also discusses the importance of relationship-building and psychological barriers in closing successful mergers, offering valuable insights for aspiring M&A professionals.

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   ******************* 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.   ******************* Episode Timestamps 00:00 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