M&A Science

Sindre Talleraas Holen , Head of M&A at Visma In Part 2 of this global M&A masterclass, Sindre Holen pulls back the curtain on Visma's deal execution strategy, valuation methodology, and post-close philosophy. Visma has quietly become one of the most disciplined and prolific acquirers in Europe and LATAM. How? Through extreme clarity on what they buy, why they buy it, and how they operate post-clo...

Sindre Talleraas Holen , Head of M&A at Visma In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Kison sits down with Sindre from Visma, one of Europe's most active acquirers in the B2B SaaS space. With over 350+ acquisitions under its belt and a stronghold across Europe and Latin America, Visma has cracked the code for scaling globally while maintaining local authenticity. Sindre shares how Visma transformed it...

 Ron "Omani" Carson, Founder and Chairman at Carson Group | Founder of Omya We sit down with Ron "Omani" Carson, founder of Carson Group, for a wide-ranging conversation about transformation—both professional and personal. From launching a financial services firm out of a college dorm room to building a national platform with over $30 billion in assets under management, Omani shares the gritty beg...

Andrew Bab , Partner & Co-Chair of the Healthcare Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP In this episode of M&A Science, Andrew Bab joins Kison Patel live in New York to dive into the fast-changing legal landscape facing private equity deals in healthcare. From emerging state-level regulations and reverse CFIUS to FDA policy shifts and CVR litigation, Andrew offers a masterclass in legal diligence and...

Hugh MacArthur , Chairman of Global Private Equity Practice, Bain & Company In this episode of M&A Science, Hugh MacArthur joins us to discuss the evolution of private equity over the last three decades—from the early days of deal-making and bespoke financing to today's hyper-competitive, tech-driven landscape. Hugh shares how Bain's private equity practice scaled from an entrepreneurial idea to o...

Ben Beller , Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Ben Beller, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, joins the podcast to walk through how companies can strategically navigate bankruptcy and restructuring during M&A. Drawing from experience on major cases like FTX and Silicon Valley Bank, Ben shares practical insights into Chapter 11 processes, planning strategies, liability management transactions, an...

 Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman at NearU Starting a business from scratch is challenging, but Ashish Achlerkar, Founder and Chairman of NearU, took a unique path—leveraging M&A as a tool for entrepreneurship. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ashish shares how he transitioned from investment banking to building a multi-state, multi-million-dollar business in the skilled trades in...

Michael Hoy , Executive Vice Chairman, Great Day Improvements In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Michael Hoy, Executive Vice Chairman of Great Day Improvements, joins Kison Patel to discuss how a people-first approach drives M&A success. With 4,500 employees and $1.5 billion in revenue, Great Day Improvements has grown through strategic acquisitions while maintaining a strong culture. Mic...

Gwen Pope , Senior Managing Partner  and Head of Platform Solutions Tiger Team M&A and Tracie Smith , Senior Partner  and Head of GTM Solutions at Tiger Team M&A Together, Gwen and Tracie dive into the complexities of serial acquisitions, discussing how large strategic acquirers can develop repeatable frameworks to streamline execution and maximize deal value. From building a North Star strategy t...

Mimi Wu , Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell When a company is struggling financially, M&A can be a lifeline—but navigating distressed deals is a whole different game. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Mimi Wu, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, breaks down how Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 363 sales, and creditor negotiations come into play when businesses are in distress. Mimi has worked on some of...

Kaj Rozga , Senior Antitrust Counsel at ABB Antitrust scrutiny in M&A is at an all-time high, and companies must be prepared to navigate evolving regulatory challenges. Kaj Rozga, Senior Antitrust Counsel at ABB, brings a unique perspective, having worked both inside the FTC and in private practice, advising on antitrust strategy, compliance, and M&A transactions. In this episode of the M&A Scienc...

John Cerasuolo , CEO of Leap Partners Creating a successful roll-up strategy requires a unique combination of industry expertise, strategic planning, and leadership. John Cerasuolo, CEO of Leap Partners, has mastered the art of acquiring and integrating businesses in the home services industry, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. With 19 acquisitions in less than three years, Leap P...

Jeff Giles, Executive Vice President at Core & Main M&A at scale requires more than just financial analysis—it's about building relationships, understanding cultural fit, and executing a seamless integration strategy. With over 60 deals under his belt, Jeff Giles, Executive Vice President at Core & Main, has a proven track record of leading high-volume, buyer-led M&A. In this episode of the M&A Sc...

 John Orbe, Senior Associate General Counsel – M&A at Emerson Large-scale deals come with layers of complexity—from regulatory challenges and cross-border negotiations to structuring transactions that align with long-term business strategy. Having the right legal approach can make or break a deal. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, John Orbe joins us to break down what it takes to execute...

Dr. Amit Monga , Founder and CEO of SARAPOINT Every deal tells a story of risk, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of value. With M&A evolving into a core function across industries, simply following old playbooks is no longer enough. You need insight, discipline, and a strategy tailored to today's fast-moving, multi-dimensional landscape. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Amit Monga,...

Amit Monga , Founder and CEO of SARAPOINT M&A is a minefield of uncertainties, let alone the tech space. Missteps in integration, cultural clashes, and unforeseen risks can quickly derail even the most promising deals. That's why understanding what could go wrong is critical. Dr. Amit Monga, Founder and CEO of SARAPOINT, shares lessons from the trenches to help you anticipate challenges and mitiga...

Joe Mantone , U.S. Financial Institutions News Desk Manager at S&P Global Market Intelligence (NYSE: SPGI)   The M&A market isn't what it used to be. Deal volumes are rising, but they remain a shadow of the record highs of 2021. Add to this the challenges of regulatory hurdles, high interest rates, and uneven global recovery. Corporate development leaders are left asking: where do we go from here?...

Andrew Kelley III  -  VP of Corporate Development and Ventures at Five9 ( NYSE: FIVN) Achieving success in M&A requires more than identifying opportunities—it demands a thoughtful approach to relationship-building, thorough due diligence, and strategic alignment. Without these key elements, even well-intentioned deals risk falling short of their potential. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcas...

Russ Hartz, VP of Corporate Development at Ansys, and Carey Pugh, Director of Corporate Integrations at Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS) The fastest way to sabotage an M&A deal is to let the deal team and integration team work in silos. Too often, companies nail the transaction only to fumble on execution because the people closing the deal and those delivering the value aren't aligned.  In this episode of th...

Jason Lippert, CEO of LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII)   M&A integration is notoriously challenging—cultural misalignment, disengaged leaders, and high turnover often derail even the best-laid plans. How do you overcome these obstacles and ensure a seamless integration that drives long-term success? In this episode, Jason Lippert, CEO of LCI Industries, shares his proven playbook for mastering M&A inte...

Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group   Many M&A deals fail to deliver their promised value due to gaps in deal sourcing, diligence, and integration. Without a clear strategy and the right tools, even the best opportunities can turn into liabilities.    In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, hear all the expert insights from Adam Coffey, Founding Partner at The Chairman Group, o...

Adam Coffey, Founding Partner of The Chairman Group Scaling a business from good to great often feels like an uphill battle. Organic growth alone can be painfully slow, leaving you far from achieving your dream of building an empire. But how do you supercharge growth without losing control or falling into costly traps? Building an empire takes more than just passion—it requires a clear, strategic...

Art Papas, CEO at Bullhorn   Growth through M&A is about strategy, timing, and bold leadership. The stakes are high, but the rewards are transformative for those who get it right. In this episode, Art Papas, CEO of Bullhorn, shares his journey from tech founder to M&A leader, and how he turned acquisitions into engines of growth.    Things you will learn:   • The role evolution from tech lead to C...

Avinash Patel , Partner at PJT Partners (NYSE: PJT) ‍ Investment bankers aren't always seen as trusted advisors; some see them as deal-pushers, prioritizing fees over friendships. The skepticism is fair, but many miss the point of what they actually bring to the table.  ‍ In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Avinash Patel, Partner at PJT Partners, offers an insider's view on what investment...

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 , Pr...