CorpDev Wiki

A comprehensive guide to Corporate Development and M&A

Fundamentals

What is Corporate Development? — An introduction to corporate development, its role, and strategic importance
Corporate Development Team Structure — How to build and organize an effective corporate development function
M&A Strategy Development — How to develop and execute an effective M&A strategy aligned with corporate objectives
Building an M&A Pipeline — How to systematically identify, qualify, and track acquisition targets
Corporate Development KPIs & Metrics — Key performance indicators and metrics for measuring M&A success
M&A Team Roles & Responsibilities — Complete guide to roles in M&A transactions

M&A Process Overview — A comprehensive overview of the end-to-end M&A transaction lifecycle
Target Identification & Sourcing — Strategies and tactics for finding and engaging acquisition targets
Letter of Intent & Term Sheet — How to structure, negotiate, and execute LOIs and term sheets in M&A transactions
Due Diligence in M&A — Comprehensive guide to conducting effective due diligence in M&A transactions
M&A Negotiation Strategies — Proven strategies and tactics for negotiating successful M&A transactions
Issue & Risk Management in M&A — How to systematically track, prioritize, and manage risks, issues, and opportunities throughout the deal lifecycle
Post-Merger Integration (PMI) — Comprehensive guide to planning and executing successful post-merger integrations

M&A Operations Overview — How to run an effective M&A function with proper cadences, governance, and processes
Sourcing Cadence & Pipeline Management — Systematic approaches to deal sourcing, outreach, and pipeline development
Meeting Cadence & Governance — Structured meeting rhythms for M&A team coordination, decision-making, and reporting
Approval Gates & Investment Process — Stage-gate framework for disciplined M&A decision-making from screening to close
Roles & Responsibilities in M&A — RACI matrices, functional partners, and organizational structures for M&A execution
M&A Reporting & Metrics — Dashboards, KPIs, and tracking systems for M&A performance and pipeline management
Board Reporting for M&A — What, when, and how to report M&A activities to the Board of Directors

Building a Deal Thesis — Comprehensive guide to developing compelling investment theses and deal rationales for M&A transactions
Strategic Rationale for M&A — How to build and articulate compelling strategic rationale for acquisitions
Business Case Development for M&A — Building financial justification and ROI analysis for acquisitions
Value Creation Planning in M&A — Identifying, planning, and capturing synergies and strategic value post-acquisition
Investment Committee Presentations — Crafting and delivering compelling IC presentations for M&A deal approval

M&A Valuation Methods Overview — Comprehensive guide to valuation methodologies used in M&A transactions
DCF Analysis & Intrinsic Valuation — Comprehensive guide to discounted cash flow analysis and intrinsic valuation methods
Comparable Company Analysis — Complete guide to trading multiples and comparable company valuation
Precedent Transaction Analysis — How to use M&A transaction comps to inform valuation in deals
Valuation Best Practices & Pitfalls — Advanced valuation techniques, common mistakes, and professional best practices
Merger Model & Accretion/Dilution Analysis — Complete guide to building merger models and performing accretion/dilution analysis for M&A transactions

Deal Structure Overview — Comprehensive guide to M&A deal structures, consideration types, and structuring decisions
Earnouts & Contingent Consideration — Complete guide to structuring, negotiating, and managing earnouts in M&A transactions
Tax Considerations in M&A — Key tax implications and strategies for structuring M&A transactions

M&A Regulatory Overview — Comprehensive guide to regulatory considerations in M&A transactions

Cross-Border M&A Overview — Essential guide to international mergers and acquisitions

Divestitures & Carve-Outs Overview — Comprehensive guide to selling business units and assets

AI in M&A — How artificial intelligence is transforming corporate development and M&A
Private Equity in M&A — Understanding PE's evolving role in the M&A landscape

Strategic Framework for M&A — Build vs. buy analysis, strategic logic frameworks, and portfolio theory for M&A decisions
Competitive M&A Playbooks — Strategic playbooks for offensive and defensive M&A including real-world examples and tactical frameworks

Cybersecurity M&A — M&A strategies, valuation frameworks, and deal analysis specific to cybersecurity industry
AI & SaaS M&A — M&A strategies, valuation frameworks, and deal dynamics specific to AI and SaaS sectors
Defense & Aerospace M&A — M&A strategies, valuation frameworks, and deal dynamics specific to defense and aerospace industries
Engineering & Industrial M&A — M&A strategies, valuation frameworks, and deal dynamics for engineering, manufacturing, and industrial sectors
Energy M&A — M&A strategies, valuation frameworks, and deal dynamics for oil & gas, renewables, and energy transition
Life Sciences M&A — M&A strategies, valuation frameworks, and deal dynamics for pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, and healthcare

Last updated: 2025-10-31