When it comes to M&A, proper planning can make the difference between a blockbuster deal...and no deal at all. After all, 16% of startups exit, and over 80% fail. That means meticulous execution is critical. In our latest SecureDocs live webinar, Start with the Exit in Mind, TechStrat's Nat Burgess will provide an in-depth analysis of a third factor, proven to drive high valuation in the tech sector in the shortest amount of time.

The banking sector has contracted significantly over the last twenty years. In 1988 there were approximately 13,400 commercial banks in the US; by the end of 2018 that had dropped to about 4,800. That's a 65% drop.

Most of these banks didn't fail - they merged. The rate of mergers today for banks with less than $10bn in assets is almost double what it was during the financial crisis.

Those in business may not see many similarities between the financial practices of publicly traded companies and private equity businesses, but believe it or not, there are things that public companies can learn from the latter. Here are some important lessons to pay attention to.

The first nine months of 2018 saw record-breaking M&A activity of $3.3 trillion--yet months or years later, many of these deals will fall short of expectations. One classic KPMG study found that 83 percent of mergers fail to boost shareholders' returns.

Mergers and acquisitions are always a perilous situation for all parties involved, yet businesses continue to believe that the potential upsides are worth the risks. The good news is that by applying foresight and taking proactive steps, you'll be much more likely to have a successful merger.

In this blog post, we'll give a quick rundown of the challenges that businesses face during and after M&A activity--and how you can overcome them.

New mergers and acquisitions can be an exciting, but also stressful time for both employees and stakeholders alike. While some individuals may look forward to the unique opportunities brought about by organizational change, others may be uncertain of what the future holds.

Regardless, major acquisitions, when executed effectively, can bring about positive change for an organization, especially when company leaders work together to make the right transformational decisions.

Mergers and acquisitions can be an exciting part of business transformations, especially if you're a business owner who's received an attractive offer from a prospective buyer. However, while the future is without a doubt filled with promise, it's important not to get too ahead of yourself, as the next step in the process can be a lengthy one - due diligence.

As the new year quickly approaches, many entrepreneurs and investors alike are looking closely at the biotech industry. In the past year, biotech and healthcare service companies have been acquired for record-setting premiums, and many are wondering if 2019 will see the same flurry of deals.

It's pretty clear that 2018 was a banner year for mergers and acquisitions in the media and telecom industry. According to Forbes, compared to the third quarter of 2017, M&A activity this year increased by more than 30% for the third quarter equaling almost $1.67 trillion and marking, "the highest US YTD value on record."

Mergers and acquisition deals are some of the most complex in the business world. There are many points along the way where things can get off track, and even your mindset can contribute to the success (or failure) of the deal. Here are some of the most common pitfalls of M&A deals you should try to avoid.

Investment banking is a specific sector of the financial industry designed to help organizations raise capital for their businesses. The industry also supports companies by providing various financial services including proprietary trading, mergers, and acquisitions.

Today, governments, companies, and businesses all actively use investment banking and the bankers that service it to assist in offering strategic advice on how to utilize their funds. To get a better understanding of the investment banking industry, here are three great reads that can give you a more in-depth look at the industry and how it's developed over the last several years.