M&A Science
Kison Patel
M&A Science, hosted by Kison Patel (Founder & CEO of DealRoom), is your go-to podcast for mastering the art of mergers and acquisitions. Each week, Kison and his expert guests from leading brands like Xerox, FastLap, and Cisco dig deep into real-world M&A strategies, offering actionable insights to optimize your M&A practice.
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to the field, M&A Science provides practical advice on key topics like sourcing, due diligence, integration, divestitures, and more. With over 300 episodes, this podcast is the premier thought leadership resource designed to streamline your deal-making process.
Start listening today and visit mascience.com/podcast to access over 300 episodes. Brought to you by DealRoom, the leading M&A optimization platform used by the best M&A teams around the world
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or new to the field, M&A Science provides practical advice on key topics like sourcing, due diligence, integration, divestitures, and more. With over 300 episodes, this podcast is the premier thought leadership resource designed to streamline your deal-making process.
Start listening today and visit mascience.com/podcast to access over 300 episodes. Brought to you by DealRoom, the leading M&A optimization platform used by the best M&A teams around the world
Episodes
Mentioned books
23 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 59min
CEO Growth Strategy: How Culligan Scaled 300+ Acquisitions with Scott Clawson
Scott Clawson, CEO of Culligan International, has transformed the company into a $3.3 billion global leader through strategic M&A, completing over 300 acquisitions. He shares insights on building a decentralized M&A engine, emphasizing the importance of cultural alignment and seller trust in long-term success. Scott discusses the critical role of private equity partnerships in unlocking growth and details effective integration strategies to avoid bottlenecks. His personal anecdotes and actionable advice provide a fascinating blueprint for successful high-volume M&A.
19 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 30min
Fixing Broken Companies Through Smart Deals with Marc Bell Part 2
Marc Bell, CEO of Marc Bell Capital, has a wealth of experience, having taken 17 companies public and revitalized struggling businesses. In this conversation, he shares valuable insights on navigating high-stakes M&A deals. Topics include the crucial due diligence process, the trade-offs between debt and equity, and how to select the right private equity partner. Marc emphasizes the importance of fostering a people-first company culture and imparts lessons learned from his own setbacks, proving that optimism and character truly shine in tough times.
24 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 32min
Fixing Broken Companies Through Smart Deals with Marc Bell
Marc Bell, CEO of Marc Bell Capital and a self-proclaimed "deal junkie," shares his remarkable journey from revitalizing Penthouse into a $500M powerhouse to backing national security tech. He reveals how to identify distressed assets and the critical importance of choosing the right operators over just solid business models. Marc emphasizes innovative deal structuring and creative capital strategies, highlighting the vital role of cash flow and supply chain management in ensuring long-term success in mergers and acquisitions.
56 snips
May 29, 2025 • 56min
Inside Soundtrack’s Roll-Up Strategy: Building a Global Leader in Background Music with Ola Sars
Ola Sars, the Founder and CEO of Soundtrack Technologies, shares his 20-year journey in disrupting the music industry, starting with co-founding Beats Music. He discusses his buyer-led M&A strategy to consolidate the background music market, transforming legacy customers into scalable revenue streams. Sars highlights lessons learned from major players like Apple and Spotify on scaling businesses and innovating within the digital music landscape. He also delves into effective seller engagement tactics and the balance needed in the unpredictable world of M&A.
50 snips
May 26, 2025 • 56min
How to Build Better Deals: Sourcing and Integration with John Romeo
Join John Romeo, CEO of the Oliver Wyman Forum and M&A expert with over 30 years in consulting, as he dives into the art of mergers and acquisitions. He reveals the nuances of building a bespoke M&A pipeline and emphasizes the importance of cultural alignment in professional services. Learn how to prioritize deal sourcing and integration while fostering long-term relationships. With insights on retention strategies and the human elements that drive success, John shares how to navigate this intricate landscape for maximum value creation.
May 22, 2025 • 52min
How to Get Investors Onboard: What Founders Need to Know Part 2 with Stew Campbell
In this insightful conversation, Stew Campbell, a Partner at The Chernin Group, specializes in guiding consumer brands to scale. He shares practical advice on managing a competitive investor process and the importance of aligning capital strategy with long-term wealth goals. The discussion also delves into growth equity versus private equity, and how to evaluate term sheets and potential investors. Stew emphasizes creating value beyond just capital and navigating the complexities of founder-investor relationships, making it a crucial listen for current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
20 snips
May 19, 2025 • 46min
Growth Equity vs. PE vs. VC: What Founders Need to Know Part 1 with Stew Campbell
Stew Campbell, Partner at The Chernin Group, specializes in scaling consumer-facing companies. He dives into how growth equity goes beyond just capital, helping founders maintain their culture while scaling. The discussion covers building effective boards, the importance of collaboration, and aligning investor dynamics. Stew provides insights on when to consider a minority recap and differentiates growth equity from private equity and venture capital. Founders will learn to navigate investor relationships and develop a strategic 'North Star' for growth.
29 snips
May 15, 2025 • 58min
How to Scale Global M&A with Culture, Strategy, and AI with Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International
Rob Brown, CEO of Lincoln International, leads a global investment banking firm specializing in M&A advisory. He shares insights on scaling through acquisitions, emphasizing the critical role of culture in successful growth. Rob discusses integration tactics starting from Day 1 and how to navigate cultural differences in U.S. vs. European deals. He also highlights the shift towards buyer-led strategies and reveals how AI is reshaping the M&A landscape, driving efficiency and insights across operations.
92 snips
May 8, 2025 • 1h 5min
How Private Equity Firms Structure M&A Deals with Jon Dhanawade
Jon Dhanawade, a Private Equity M&A Partner at Mayer Brown and adjunct professor at Northwestern Law, shares his wealth of knowledge on structuring M&A deals. He discusses how private equity firms effectively use practices like rollover equity and seller notes to align incentives. Jon also highlights key legal red flags to watch for during diligence and offers strategies for negotiating Letters of Intent. Listeners gain insights into common pitfalls, the necessity of building strong relationships, and the importance of thorough due diligence in navigating complex transactions.
28 snips
May 5, 2025 • 58min
Lessons from 90+ Deals: Questex CEO, Paul Miller on Cultural Fit, Value Creation & Post-Close Audits
Paul Miller, CEO of Questex, shares insights from leading over 90 acquisitions. He highlights the critical importance of cultural fit and proactive relationship-building with potential targets. Miller discusses the need for a detailed integration playbook and the challenges of post-close audits. He also emphasizes when to walk away from a deal, emphasizing the dangers of 'deal fever.' With candid advice on navigating international deals and the personal dynamics of founder-led acquisitions, his experiences offer valuable lessons for M&A practitioners.
