Mergers & Acquisitions are not theoretical — they are executed under pressure, timelines, and real commercial risk
This course is a practical, execution-focused guide to how M&A deals are actually done in the real world. Designed for professionals, founders, and advisors, it walks you through the entire M&A lifecycle — from acquisition strategy and target screening to valuation, negotiation, due diligence, board approvals, deal execution, and post-closing integration.
What you’ll learn
- Build acquisition strategies.
- Screen and evaluate targets.
- Value companies and structure deals.
- Negotiate LOIs and manage due diligence.
- Secure board approvals.
- Close deals and protect value through integration.
Course Content
- Module 1 – HOW REAL M&A DEALS ARE DONE –> 1 lecture • 13min.
- PRE-DEAL PREPARATION & STRATEGY –> 1 lecture • 10min.
- TARGET SCREENING & SHORTLISTING –> 1 lecture • 5min.
- NDA, INFO REQUESTS & MANAGEMENT MEETINGS –> 1 lecture • 9min.
- VALUATION & DEAL STRUCTURING –> 1 lecture • 9min.
- TERM SHEET & LOI NEGOTIATION –> 1 lecture • 7min.
- DUE DILIGENCE THAT MATTERS –> 1 lecture • 13min.
- BOARD & CEO APPROVALS –> 1 lecture • 6min.
- LEGAL DOCUMENTATION & EXECUTION –> 1 lecture • 7min.
- COMMUNICATION & CLOSING –> 1 lecture • 7min.
- INTEGRATION & VALUE CAPTURE –> 1 lecture • 7min.
Requirements
This course is a practical, execution-focused guide to how M&A deals are actually done in the real world. Designed for professionals, founders, and advisors, it walks you through the entire M&A lifecycle — from acquisition strategy and target screening to valuation, negotiation, due diligence, board approvals, deal execution, and post-closing integration.
Unlike academic or overly technical courses, this program focuses on decision-making, deal judgment, and execution discipline — the skills that differentiate successful dealmakers from observers.
You will learn how to:
- Build and defend an acquisition thesis
- Screen and prioritize targets efficiently
- Structure deals and negotiate key commercial terms
- Translate due diligence findings into price and risk protection
- Prepare board-ready investment cases
- Manage deal execution and closing events
- Plan integration to protect deal value
This course is built on real M&A transactions, including mid-market and large cross-border deals, and is suitable for anyone looking to lead, support, or evaluate M&A transactions with confidence.
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Design a clear acquisition strategy and search criteria
- Evaluate targets using strategic and financial filters
- Build and defend valuation models and assumptions
- Structure deals using earn-outs, deferred payouts, and equity swaps
- Lead or support LOI and term sheet negotiations
- Execute due diligence with a risk-prioritization mindset
- Convert DD findings into pricing and legal protections
- Prepare board-level M&A approval decks
- Manage deal execution, signing, and closing
- Plan integration to ensure value realization post-close