Interviews with experts

While most investors have a passive role in their portfolio company, some investors are active in shaping and contributing to its success. For venture capitalists, one of the best scenarios is for the portfolio company to be acquired to maximize investment returns. In this article, Dr. Irit Yaniv, Founding Partner and CEO at Almeda Ventures discusses what investors can do when planning and executing the exit.

Interview with:

Dr. Irit Yaniv

Founding Partner and CEO at Almeda Ventures

The collaboration between a Private Equity (PE) firm and a portfolio company during an acquisition is a powerful partnership. Together, they create a synergistic environment where growth and value thrive. In this article, we will explore insights from Barak Routhenstein, Vice President of Corporate Development at Profile Products, on how PE firms can provide invaluable support to portfolio companies during the acquisition process, setting the stage for success and maximizing value creation.

For high-growth companies, M&A is almost inevitable. If done right, it could speed up growth and open new opportunities for the acquiring entity. However, it’s not without challenges, as it can also be destructive and destroy both companies involved. In this article, Glenn Sanford, CEO of eXp World Holdings, Inc., discusses the art of M&A, and striking the right balance between integration and autonomy.

Interview with:

Glenn Sanford

CEO of eXp World Holdings, Inc.

M&A is a massive undertaking that calls for collaboration among numerous individuals. Ensuring alignment with everyone involved is essential for the success of a deal. Yet, with a variety of opinions and personalities at play, achieving alignment can be quite a challenge. In this article, Andrew Bilbao, CFO of Noble Education Acquisition Corp, shares valuable insights on how to guarantee alignment for deal success, paving the way for a smooth and fruitful M&A process.

Interview with:

Andrew Bilbao

Current CFO of Noble Education Acquisition Corp.

For public equity analysts, M&A is nothing new. One of their main jobs is to conduct financial analyses of companies and other potential investments. However, M&A execution is another story. Let’s explore how a public equity analyst evolves to executing M&A, featuring Greg Stein, Vice President of M&A and Ventures at Xerox, as he shares his experiences.

Interview with:

Greg Stein

Greg Stein, Vice President, M&A and Strategy at Xerox

International business transactions often present unique challenges that are vastly different from local ones. The complexity increases exponentially when these transactions involve mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In this article, Clifford Felig, Partner at Meitar Law Offices, will discuss the challenges of cross-border deals, particularly in Israel, where he had most of his experiences.

Interview with:

Clifford Felig

Partner at Meitar | Law Offices

The intricacies of tax considerations in a merger or acquisition (M&A) transaction cannot be overstated. These considerations play a crucial role in shaping the overall economics and structure of the deal, and can significantly impact the outcome for all parties involved. With expert tax planning and structuring, it is possible to mitigate the tax burden and maximize the benefits of the transaction. In this exclusive interview, Lesley Adamo, Vice Chair of the Tax Group at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, delves into the importance of tax considerations in M&A and provides valuable insights on navigating this complex landscape.

Interview with:

Lesley Adamo

Vice Chair, Tax Group at Lowenstein Sandler LLP

International deals are one of the most challenging transactions to execute. Aside from the complexities of M&A, there are additional hurdles that acquirers must overcome to successfully acquire companies overseas. In this article, we will focus on how to do deals in Latin America and all the challenges that come along with it, featuring Juan Guillermo Castaneda, Senior Advisor to SKG CEO.

Interview with:

Juan Guillermo Castaneda

Former Senior Advisor to SKG CEO

Too often, M&A involves a larger entity acquiring a smaller business. Only a few believe that a merger of equal can be possible, especially considering the power struggle between the two companies. However, a merger of equals can be a powerful strategy that could unlock tremendous value and opportunities for growth if done right. This article explores the path to successful equal mergers featuring Scott Crofton, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

Interview with:

Scott Crofton

Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

In today's highly competitive business landscape, companies are constantly looking for ways to enhance their capabilities and maintain their edge. With so many competitors in the market, how can a company stand out and reduce customer churn? In this article, Brian Matthews, CEO at ITEL, discusses his value chain ecosystem approach that can drive business stability and growth.

Interview with:

Brian Matthews

CEO at ITEL

In big companies, some business units may not perform well and might be overlooked. It can be helpful for the company to find a more suitable owner for these units. At the same time, buyers can take advantage of these opportunities to improve their businesses and maximize their potential. In this article, we will explore the experiences of Josh Covey, a successful CEO, acquirer, and investor, and Matthew Davidge, co-owner of NBC Affiliate WVNC, as they buy and develop these businesses with the goal of exiting in the future.

Interview with:

Joe Covey

Advisor at Bluestream Health

Matthew Davidge

Co-Owner of the NBC Affiliate WVNC (Watertown, NY)

There are many different reasons why companies buy other entities. Traditionally, acquirers have focused more on the financial aspect of the target company. However, experience has shown that not all acquisitions are the same, and must be executed properly against their strategy. In this article, we discuss how to execute product-based acquisitions featuring Andrew Morbitzer, VP/Head of Corporate Development at Typeform.

Interview with:

Andrew Morbitzer

VP/Head of Corporate Development at Typeform

In this article, Nate Lemmerman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Cast & Crew, shares his experience and tips on how to build your M&A muscle.

Interview with:

Nate Lemmerman

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at Cast & Crew

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is a long and tedious process filled with challenges and surprises that could harm the acquiring company or destroy the deal altogether. To ensure a successful transaction, it's crucial to identify and overcome these hurdles. In this article, we'll discuss the most common M&A challenges and the best approach to overcome them, featuring Ritika Butani, Head of Corporate Development at Toast.

Interview with:

Ritika Butani

Head of Corporate Development at Toast

M&A is inherently risky, but the rewards of a successful deal can exponentially grow a company overnight. There are many things to consider before closing a transaction, and big companies are finding new deal structures to minimize risks when doing acquisitions. In this article, Finn Haley, SVP of Corporate Development at Edwards Lifesciences, discusses the build-to-buy option structure they use in the healthcare industry.

Interview with:

Finn Haley

SVP, Corporate Development at Edwards Lifesciences

M&A activity has definitely slowed down. Due to economic uncertainty and high-interest rates, companies are hesitant to expand during these times. In addition, executing deals has also become more difficult due to regulatory changes, especially in the tech industry. In this article, Mark Legaspi, Director, Legal - Corporate at LinkedIn, discusses key regulatory considerations for M&A in the current market.

Interview with:

Mark Legaspi

Director, Legal - Corporate at LinkedIn

Acquiring companies can be extremely rewarding if done right. To be proficient in M&A, a dedicated function must be established for continuous improvement. As the M&A function evolves, it increases the chances of deal success and value creation. In this article, David Hindley, VP of Corporate Development at Autodesk, shares his journey on how he evolved an M&A function from scratch.

Interview with:

David Hindley

VP of Corporate Development at Autodesk

M&A integration is usually made up of checklists that outline the step-by-step agendas and milestones to successfully integrate the acquired company. But during integration, things don’t always go as planned, and teams must be able to pivot and adapt to the ever-changing needs of the project. In this article, Staci van Schagen, Head of M&A Integration & Disentanglement at Philips, shares her ways on how to thrive in times of change with flexibility in integration planning.

Interview with:

Staci van Schagen

Head of M&A Integration & Disentanglement at Philips

Selling a business can be a complex and daunting process. The key to a successful exit lies in implementing best practices that have been proven effective by industry experts. In this article, we'll outline some valuable insights from Jeff Wald, Co-founder of Bento Engine, on how to maximize the potential of a business during the exit process, engage investors effectively, and conduct confirmatory due diligence. By following these guidelines, entrepreneurs and business owners can be better prepared to navigate the challenges of selling a business.

Interview with:

Jeff Wald

Co-founder of Bento Engine

In this article, Brent Campbell, Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Alight Solutions, discusses how to focus on integration as a corporate development professional.

Interview with:

Brent Campbell

Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy at Alight Solutions

Cultural fit has become increasingly, as more companies are embracing diversity and inclusion, and acquirers must mitigate cultural differences early on during post-close integration. When two companies fit together, people are more likely to be productive and satisfied with their work. In this article, Klint Kendrick, HR and M&A Leader, gives us a view on the HR practitioner’s guide to cultural integration in M&A.

Interview with:

Klint Kendrick

Chair of the HR M&A Roundtable and Former HR M&A Leader at Oracle & Boeing

Deals and even negotiations can’t be done without a proper company valuation. Valuation is a fundamental process that helps determine the true worth of a company, providing a solid foundation for negotiations between parties. But valuations are not always objective, and there are a lot of factors that can impact them. In this article, PJ Patel, Co-CEO & Senior Managing Director at Valuation Research Corporation (VRC), discusses current valuation trends and working with earnouts.

Interview with:

PJ Patel

Co-CEO & Senior Managing Director - VRC

A roll-up is a powerful deal type that involves acquiring multiple smaller companies to combine them into a large entity. When properly carried out, these strategic actions can significantly increase shareholder value and set up companies for record-breaking development. In this article, we have the privilege of hearing from Sam Youssef, Founder and CEO at Valsoft Corporation, a company that has experienced explosive growth through multiple roll-ups.

Interview with:

Sam Youssef

Founder and CEO at Valsoft Corporation

In today's ever-evolving business landscape, companies need to stay ahead of the curve by constantly innovating. One way they can achieve this is through acquiring smaller companies, which can provide access to game-changing technology, bridge knowledge gaps, and accelerate growth. However, acquiring smaller companies comes with its own set of challenges. In this article, we explore the intricacies of smaller deals with Kevin Griffin, Executive Director of Corporate Development at JLL.

Interview with:

Kevin Griffin

Executive Director, Corporate Development at JLL

Losing key people is one of the most significant value leaks in M&A. Acquirers must focus on the employee experience to retain as many employees as possible. This article will discuss how to execute a people-focused integration featuring Marilyne H. O'Hara, Global Head of M&A Integration at Block.

Interview with:

Marilyne H. O'Hara

Global Head of M&A Integration at Block

Acquiring startups is a common strategy employed by large companies to drive growth and innovation. However, preserving the unique qualities and strengths of startups within the framework of a larger corporation can prove challenging. In this article, Nadia Gil, Chief of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development at Brady Corporation, offers insight into how to effectively preserve startups during the acquisition process.

Interview with:

Nadia Gil

Chief of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development at Brady

Companies can execute successful mergers and acquisitions without corporate development. In this article, we explore insights provided by Michael Farlekas, the CEO at E2open, who has executed 14 deals without a dedicated corporate development team.

Interview with:

Michael Farlekas

CEO at E2open

Day one in M&A is a critical juncture for both the acquiring company and the target company. This is the day when the deal is officially closed and the two companies become one entity. Day one involves a lot of planning and coordination between the two companies to ensure a smooth transition. In this article, Chris Evans, former Head of CorpDev Integration at Amazon, discusses how to set up day one for success.

Interview with:

Chris Evans

Former Head of Corporate Development Integration at Amazon

As the business world shifts towards a more environmentally and socially conscious approach, the significance of sustainability in M&A has become increasingly prominent. In light of this, companies are now considering the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives of their target companies before making any acquisitions. In this article, we explore the importance of sustainability in M&A and how to perform sustainability diligence, with insights from Sarah Thuo, Chief Operating Officer of IBM Sustainability Services.

Interview with:

Sarah Thuo

Chief Operating Officer of IBM Sustainability Services

M&A is a game-changing tool that can propel a company's growth several years ahead of schedule. In this article, Michael Nov, the Head of Corp Dev & Chief of Staff to the CTO at OwnBackup, shares valuable insights on how to set up M&A for hyper-growth companies.

Interview with:

Michael Nov

Head of Corporate Development & Chief of Staff to the CTO at OwnBackup

The go-to-market (GTM) integration strategy has a large impact on revenue generation and overall deal success. Integration can be very disruptive to the customers, but if done right, it can enhance the customer experience and acquisition results. In an exclusive interview, Pat Belotti, VP of Corporate Development Integration at Zendesk, delves into the intricacies of GTM integration and offers valuable insights on how to approach it.

Interview with:

Pat Belotti

M&A Integration Expert, previously at: Cisco, Microsoft, Zendesk

M&A integration in tech has changed quite a bit over the last twenty years. Integration has evolved from integration volunteers, to large teams with detailed tracking, to dedicated teams and Agile approaches. In this article, Pat Belotti, VP of Corporate Development Integration at Zendesk, delves into the evolution of integration.

Interview with:

Pat Belotti

M&A Integration Expert, previously at: Cisco, Microsoft, Zendesk

Integration needs to be thought out, but executed quickly. In this interview, Windy Nicholson, Technology Leader for Mergers and Acquisitions at Salesforce, discusses how to improve IMO for efficiency. In addition to having a competent team, there are additional strategies that can be implemented to improve an IMO for efficiency. This article will explore some of these strategies, with insights from Windy Nicholson, the Technology Leader for Mergers and Acquisitions at Salesforce.

Interview with:

Windy Nicholson

VP Technology and Product, Mergers and Acquisitions Integration at Salesforce

Managing a deal from start to finish requires a strategic approach and the ability to navigate the nuances of each phase. In this second part of our series on how to manage deals from strategy to closing, Andy Wijaya, Senior Director of M&A at KLA, delves deeper into the specific steps and considerations involved in the process.

Interview with:

Andy Wijaya

Senior Director, M&A at KLA

Managing M&A can be a daunting task, especially for those in charge of overseeing the entire process. In this article, Andy Wijaya, Senior Director of M&A at KLA, shares his insights on how to effectively manage deals from strategy to closing in M&A.

Interview with:

Andy Wijaya

Senior Director, M&A at KLA

Acquisitions are not the only way companies can achieve growth. Partnerships are a great way for organizations to grow their organic growth capabilities. This article will discuss alternative strategies to accelerate growth featuring Yvanna Perez-Morel, Sr. Director of Corporate Development at Ulta Beauty | Managing Director at Prisma Ventures.

Interview with:

Yvanna Perez-Morel

Yvanna Perez-Morel, Sr. Director of Corporate Development at Ulta Beauty | Managing Director at Prisma Ventures

Establishing strong connections with a target company is essential in M&A. Securing deals can be challenging, but a strategic approach can result in mutually beneficial outcomes. Join us for the third session of our 'Conversations to LOI' series, featuring Michael Frankel, Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital, as he shares his approach to deal-making.

Interview with:

Michael Frankel

Founder and Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital

In order for an M&A process to be successful, there must be effective governance in place. Governance is used to manage risks, and ensure that key stakeholders are well-informed and able to provide appropriate oversight throughout a transaction. In this article, Guy Fisher, Head of Corporate Development at Suncorp Group, shares his expertise in setting up M&A governance for efficiency.

Interview with:

Guy Fisher

Head Of Corporate Development at Suncorp Group

Acquiring a company is complex and challenging, and in some instances, unnecessary. If buyers only need the people inside of a target company, they can do an acquihire instead of a traditional acquisition To explore this strategy deeper, this article will discuss executing acquihires, featuring Thomas Gorman, Strategy & Corporate Development at Pantheon, and Mark Khavkin, CFO at Pantheon.

Interview with:

Thomas Gorman

Strategy & Corporate Development at Pantheon Platform

Mark Khavkin

CFO at Pantheon Platform

Before buyers and sellers agree to an LOI, there are many informal conversations that happen in the background. Buyers must carefully approach any informal conversations to avoid turning a buyer off while still securing the deal. In this article, Ken Bond, Head of Corporate Development at Cetera Financial Group, discusses the key things to consider during pre-LOI conversations.

Interview with:

Ken Bond

Head of Corporate Development at Cetera Financial Group

Today, there are more than 20 reps and warranty insurance companies. And unlike before, they are now willing to cover the entire suite of reps and warranties to replace the indemnification provisions in a traditional purchase agreement. So are they worth it? Should buyers consider reps and warranty insurance on all their deals? In this article, Gitanjali Pundir, Vice President, Global Corporate Development and M&A at Visa, discusses representations and warranties from a business perspective.

Interview with:

Gitanjali Pundir

Vice President at Visa

In recent years, there has been a surge in using reps & warranty insurance in M&A, especially in private deals. Buyers and sellers can save significant time and money using reps and warranties insurance. This article will discuss how to approach reps and warranties insurance, featuring Josh Holleman, Partner at Cooley LLP.

Interview with:

Josh Holleman

Partner at Cooley LLP

Deal origination requires a well-planned strategy, and starts with informal conversations with a potential target. In this article, Jeremy Segal, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Progress, discusses what happens between the first conversation and LOI.

Interview with:

Jeremy Segal

Senior Vice President Corporate Development at Progress

Executing acquisitions without a dedicated function is highly inefficient and would often result in failed deals. Why? Because when a company purely relies on inbound opportunities, they would not get the best deals possible. To be good at M&A, a company needs experience and consistency. This blog will discuss starting up your corporate development function featuring Veena Ramaswamy, Head of Corporate Development at Lemonade.

Interview with:

Veena Ramaswamy

Veena Ramaswamy, Head of Corporate Development at Lemonade

M&A is an excellent tool for growing a company. Still, acquirers should consider a variety of strategies before committing to a transaction. Choosing the right growth approach also dictates any integration plans. This article will talk about executing various strategies and how to get a CEO on board, featuring Rohit Dave, Head of Corporate Development at Block.

Interview with:

Rohit Dave

Head of Corporate Development at Block

Integration is one of the most critical aspects of an M&A to achieve the transaction's desired synergies and value-creation potential. Therefore, acquirers must focus on integration to do well in M&A. In this article, Cara Bibbiani, Senior Director, Corporate Development, M&A Integration at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, discusses how to perform better M&A Integration.

Interview with:

Cara Bibbiani

Senior Director, Corporate Development, M&A Integration at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Standing up a corporate development function from scratch is a challenging, yet exciting task. And one of the pillars of a successful M&A function is a solid team who can effectively run deals. In this article, Kevin Barnes, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at Premier Inc., will discuss how to create an M&A team structure.

Interview with:

Kevin Barnes

Senior Vice President Corporate Development at Premier Inc.

Ever wonder how to transition roles in M&A? In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Kerry Perez, Vice President, Enterprise Strategy at AMN Healthcare, will discuss her fascinating journey to M&A, during which she experienced a variety of roles. In this article, she will discuss how to transition roles in M&A.

Interview with:

Kerry Perez

Vice President, Enterprise Strategy at AMN Healthcare

A strong deal strategy doesn't guarantee success. Integration is where value is created and must be prioritized immediately. Darrell Heaps, CEO at Q4 Inc., discusses how to tie M&A strategy and integration together.

Interview with:

Darrell Heaps

CEO at Q4 Inc.

Acquirers must execute quickly and efficiently, navigate changes, and preserve the target company's value. This article will discuss accelerating M&A integration, featuring Caroline Jones, Senior Director - Acquisition Success at Cisco.

Interview with:

Caroline Jones

Senior Director - Acquisition Success at Cisco