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 bankers really do in M&A, from guiding strategic vision to wielding influence in complex transactions.
Things you will learn:
• Why investment bankers face a reputation challenge
• Building influence and shaping strategy through relationship investment
• Working with public vs. private companies as an investment banker
• Evaluating the right private equity partner
• Finding the right advisory partnership
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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.
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Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
08:37 Why investment bankers face a reputation challenge
13:29 The role of investment bankers
17:21 Building influence and shaping strategy through relationship investment
21:36 Tailor advice and introductions for big-company impact
23:31 Example of companies turning strategic advice into growth
30:08 Working with public vs. private companies
32:21 Role play: Scaling through organic growth and strategic acquisitions
44:19 Leveraging investment bankers to identify strategic carve-out opportunities
48:29 Building selective PE relationships for carve-out deals
50:54 Evaluating the right private equity partner - willing to answer
55:47 The importance of buyer-led M&A integration planning
1:06:29 Finding the right advisory partnership
1:08:18 Craziest thing in M&A
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
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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.
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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 at AvePoint
Raising capital is only half the battle. The real challenge is fostering strong relationships with investors while ensuring your business continues to grow. It’s easy to focus on securing funds, but investors look for more than just short-term returns. Without that clarity, it’s harder to build lasting trust and keep things moving forward.
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Dr. Tianyi Jiang, CEO at AvePoint, explains how to navigate investor relations and capital raising for sustainable growth.
Things you will learn:
• Engineering discipline in M&A
• Lessons in driving growth through organic and inorganic strategies
• Building a strong distribution network
• Balancing primary and secondary capital
• Capital advantages of going public
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This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
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.
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
04:53 Engineering discipline in M&A
07:08 Lessons in driving growth through organic and inorganic strategies
11:37 Building a strong distribution network
13:36 The importance of strategic capital raising for long-term growth
17:41 How to recapitalize and scale without losing control
20:30 Structuring a recap
22:11 Balancing primary and secondary capital
24:32 Maintaining control and avoiding founder dilution
28:42 Maximizing returns while retaining control
30:14 How going public challenges companies to maintain discipline and long-term focus
34:20 Capital advantages of going public
36:46 Structuring acquisitions and aligning acquirer and founder interests
40:20 Strategic capital allocation to drive growth
42:29 Key advice for growing, raising capital, and allocating resources
45:30 Craziest thing in M&A
Davis Thacker, Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate Development at Carta
The M&A process is notoriously tricky—everyone loves talking about getting the deal done, but few focus on the real work that comes after. Integration, valuation shifts, and cultural alignment often prove to be the biggest roadblocks to a successful acquisition. How do you avoid the common pitfalls that derail so many deals post-close?
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Davis Thacker, Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate Development at Carta, shares his expert strategies on executing successful M&A.
Things you will learn:
• Sourcing unbounded deals
• Driving accountability for successful integration
• Building consistency and early integration
• Advice on building a collaborative relationship with your CEO
• How to maintain a consistent people experience
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This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights.
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.
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Episode Bookmarks
00:00 Intro
07:38 Discovering unbounded deal opportunities
09:00 Sourcing unbounded deals
13:21 Deal execution lessons: Adapting M&A strategy based on business growth
15:22 Driving accountability for successful integration
17:34 Building consistency and early integration
20:28 Working with the CEO
22:08 Advice on building a collaborative relationship with your CEO
24:01 Cultural challenges of international deals
27:42 Creating a positive people experience in M&A
31:04 How to maintain a consistent people experience
35:22 Balancing cultural integration
37:30 Mapping international growth in venture markets
39:18 Key tips for transitioning from domestic to international M&A
41:20 Navigating valuations and stakeholder interests in deal negotiations
43:29 Aligning non-price factors in M&A - Come back to culture
44:17 Craziest Thing in M&A