M&A Science

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

Jann Lau, a Senior Director of Corporate Development at PayPal, dives into the art of validating the deal thesis in M&A. He emphasizes that a strong thesis isn't just about strategic rationale—rigorous validation of assumptions is essential. Listeners learn the risks of hasty deals and the importance of aligning M&A efforts with long-term corporate goals. Jann also discusses how to present theses to executives, navigate integration challenges, and the critical role of due diligence in avoiding pitfalls.

Gregg Albert, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy M&A at Accenture, shares his expertise on portfolio rebalancing as a vital strategy for companies navigating today's dynamic market. He discusses the impact of activist investors, emphasizing the need for effective portfolio management to enhance shareholder value. Gregg also delves into the complexities of M&A integration and divestitures, outlining the emotional and strategic challenges leaders face. Additionally, he highlights the importance of adaptability and preparation as companies respond to evolving market demands.

Anson Lau, Deputy General Counsel at LONGi Solar, dives into the dynamic roles of in-house and external counsel during M&A transactions. He discusses how to balance legal expertise from both sides to minimize risks and achieve favorable outcomes. Anson highlights the mindset differences between in-house and external teams and the importance of strategic collaboration. He offers insights on selecting the right external counsel for M&A deals and the necessity of understanding the unique strengths each role brings to the table.

Kevin Lynch, CEO and Board Member at Optiv, shares his expertise on leading M&A initiatives. He discusses balancing market share with capability in decisions, the importance of a strategic integration thesis, and effective communication during acquisitions. Lynch highlights the CEO's isolation and the necessity of clear expectations to drive growth. Additionally, he delves into how company culture impacts M&A success and the vital role emotions play in decision-making, offering a comprehensive look at the complexities of the M&A landscape.

Sanjay Poonen, CEO & President of Cohesity   M&A isn't just about signing a deal and popping the champagne. Every CEO knows the entire process is a minefield of cultural clashes, integration headaches, and occasional unexpected challenges that could blow up your strategy. But while M&A can be a high-stakes game, it’s also one that can be mastered with the right playbook.    In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, we’re diving into key strategies CEOs should consider to ensure M&A success, featuring Sanjay Poonen, CEO & President of Cohesity.   Things you will learn in this episode:   • The CEO’s approach to M&A integration • Key considerations in sourcing deals • Best practices for managing large-scale acquisitions • The impact of market timing on acquisition strategy   ******************* Experience the M&A event of the year and gain actionable insights to scale your M&A practice. Register now for the Fall M&A Science Fair here.   This episode is sponsored by DealRoom. Ready to take your M&A to the next level with software made to manage each stage of the deal process? See how DealRoom can facilitate your next deal at https://dealroom.net   ******************* Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:06 Exploring high-impact M&A deals 05:33 Shaping the M&A strategy 07:16 Expanding and innovating through acquisitions 11:18 The CEO’s approach to M&A integration 20:08 Key considerations in sourcing deals 25:25 Cultivating cultural alignment 29:42 Convincing companies to do an M&A deal 36:51 Maintaining key relationships 38:36 Best practices for managing large-scale acquisitions 40:38 Strategic considerations for a global expansion 41:37 The right timing for announcing deals 43:35 The impact of market timing on acquisition strategy 44:53 Advice for CEOs on preparing for a successful IPO post-acquisition 46:47 Craziest thing in M&A  

Jerome Combes-Knoke, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Dotmatics (Insight Partners)   Strategic focus is a prerequisite to strong corporate performance.  Yet, without proactive efforts to maintain focus, companies can “drift” and become weighed down by misaligned business units.    In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Jerome Combes-Knoke,  Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Dotmatics (a portfolio company of Insight Partners), shares his broad M&A experience and presents his approach to portfolio strategy and rebalancing through divestitures.   Things you will learn in this episode:   • Strategic focus on acquisitions, using Dotmatics’ approach. • Portfolio rebalancing and its challenges • Evaluating divestiture candidates • Building internal alignment for divestitures • Best practices for managing key risks   ******************* Experience the M&A event of the year and gain actionable insights to scale your M&A practice. Register now for the Fall M&A Science Fair here.   This episode is sponsored by DealRoom. Ready to take your M&A to the next level with software made to manage each stage of the deal process? See how DealRoom can facilitate your next deal at https://dealroom.net   ******************* Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 05:17 Approaching deals in a software-oriented environment 10:11 Preserving brand integrity in M&A go-to-market strategies 12:43 Approaching valuation 15:16 Strategic pitch for acquisitions 20:41 Portfolio rebalancing and its challenges 25:25 When and how to rebalance a company’s portfolio 27:29 Getting buy-in and alignment from the board and key stakeholders 33:24 Key factors in considering divestitures 36:26 Executing a divestiture for portfolio rebalancing 39:09 Best practices in executing divestitures 43:12 Divestiture success metrics 46:29 Example of portfolio rebalancing and its challenges 53:20 Craziest thing in M&A    

Court Carruthers, President and CEO of TricorBraun, dives into the often overlooked yet crucial role of cultural integration in M&A. He emphasizes how a shared identity and values can transform a merger into a strategic partnership. The discussion highlights best practices for cultural diligence, the importance of tailoring integration strategies, and the necessity of transparent communication to ensure long-term success. With insights drawn from academic research and practical experience, Court provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of merging corporate cultures.