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Udemy

Mergers & Acquisitions - M&A, Valuation & Selling a Company

via Udemy

Overview

Close Deals Like a Pro | Learn from a Former Investment Banker Who's Executed Millions in M&A Transactions

What you'll learn:
  • Understand the key concepts and principles of mergers and acquisitions in the corporate finance landscape.
  • Apply valuation techniques to assess the worth of a company using balance sheet analysis, cash flow valuation, and WACC calculations
  • Develop effective negotiation strategies to secure favourable deals and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
  • Gain practical insights into the sales process, avoiding common pitfalls, and maximising value when selling a company.
  • Acquire a comprehensive understanding of the entire M&A process, from initiation to integration.
  • Manage advisers effectively throughout the M&A process, leveraging their expertise to achieve optimal outcomes.
  • Familiarise yourself with negotiation and term sheets, ensuring clarity and alignment in deal agreements.
  • Explore management buyouts (MBOs) and understand their dynamics in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
  • Successfully navigate the complexities of deal closing, overcoming obstacles and ensuring a smooth transition.
  • Approach the sale of a company with confidence, equipped with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions.
  • Enroll now and develop the skills necessary to excel in the world of mergers and acquisitions!

Every year, trillions of dollars change hands through mergers and acquisitions. For entrepreneurs, it’s often the biggest financial event of their lives. For advisors, it’s where careers are made. Yet most people walk into M&A transactions without understanding what’s actually happening—and they pay for it.

In nearly 12 hours across 100 video lectures, you’ll master the complete M&A process—from initial valuation to final closing. Whether you’re selling your own company, advising on transactions, or building a career in corporate finance, this course gives you the insider knowledge that separates successful deals from costly mistakes. Taught by an investment banker with 30+ years of M&A experience and an MBA with Distinction.


Comprehensive Learning Resources for Every Section

Every section now includes professionally designed Student Revision Notes (PDF & Word), standalone Slide Decks, and visual Infographics. These aren’t just lecture supplements—they’re career-long reference materials covering the complete M&A lifecycle from engagement letters to deal closing.


  • Student Revision Notes (19 Sections) – Detailed summary notes covering all key concepts, frameworks, definitions, and practical checklists. Available in both PDF and Word formats for flexible studying and annotation.

  • Standalone Slide Decks (19 Sections) – Professional presentation slides for each section – perfect for quick review, reference during deals, or sharing with colleagues.

  • Visual Infographics (19 Sections) – One-page visual summaries featuring process flows, comparison matrices, and quick-reference checklists.


7 Interactive Role Play Scenarios

Test your skills with 7 immersive scenarios: negotiate advisor fees, pitch to strategic and PE buyers, handle LOI and SPA negotiations, manage price renegotiations after due diligence, and resolve last-minute closing crises. Each 10-minute role play puts you face-to-face with AI counterparties who challenge you like real dealmakers.


  1. Negotiating Fees with an M&A Adviser – Practice fee negotiation before signing an engagement letter

  2. Pitching Your Company to a Potential Buyer – Present your business to a skeptical strategic acquirer evaluating multiple targets

  3. Presenting to a Private Equity Buyer – Defend your EBITDA adjustments and articulate value creation opportunities

  4. Negotiating LOI Terms with a Buyer – Push back on unfavourable Letter of Intent provisions while maintaining deal momentum

  5. M&A Deal Negotiation – Price Renegotiation – Handle a mid-deal price chip after due diligence findings

  6. Negotiating SPA Key Issues – Navigate reps & warranties, indemnities, and basket structures

  7. Resolving Last-Minute Deal Issues – Manage a potential deal-breaker the night before closing

Each 10-minute scenario puts you in realistic situations with AI counterparties who push back like real dealmakers.


What You’ll Master

  • The Complete M&A Process: From initial strategy through post-merger integration—understand every phase of a transaction and what can go wrong at each stage

  • Valuation Techniques: Balance sheet analysis, cash flow valuation, DCF models, and WACC calculations—the methods professionals actually use to price deals

  • Selling a Company: Prepare your business for sale, manage the process, maximise value, and understand buyer segmentation and due diligence from both sides

  • Negotiation Strategies: Secure favourable terms, build relationships with counterparties, and create win-win outcomes that actually close

  • Deal Structuring: Understand how transactions are structured, what terms matter most, and how to protect your interests

  • Management Buyouts (MBOs): Learn the dynamics of MBOs and how they differ from traditional acquisitions

  • Deal Closing: Navigate the final stages, overcome last-minute obstacles, and ensure a smooth transition

  • Practical Application: Test your skills through 7 immersive role play scenarios


This Course Includes

  • 17 comprehensive sections covering the full M&A lifecycle

  • 100+ video lectures (nearly 12 hours of content)

  • 19 Student Revision Notes (PDF & Word formats)

  • 19 Standalone Slide Decks for each section

  • 19 Visual Infographics with key frameworks

  • 7 AI-Powered Role Play Scenarios

  • Practical exercises and downloadable resources

  • Quizzes and case studies to reinforce learning

  • Real-world insights on common pitfalls that destroy value


Who This Course Is For

  • Entrepreneurs considering selling their company (now or in the future)

  • Business owners who want to understand what acquirers look for

  • Corporate development professionals and M&A advisors

  • Investment banking analysts and associates

  • Business school students preparing for careers in corporate finance

  • Senior managers involved in acquisition decisions


Why This Matters

M&A isn’t just about finding a buyer or a target—it’s about understanding value, managing a complex process, and negotiating terms that protect your interests. I’ve spent 30+ years on both sides of these transactions. This course teaches you what actually happens in the room, what drives deal success, and what causes transactions to fail.

Over 150,000 students have enrolled in my courses. If you’re serious about understanding M&A—whether to sell, buy, or advise—this is your complete guide.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to the Course
  • What does the term Mergers and Acquisitions Mean?
  • Merger vs Acquisition Case Study
  • Company Valuation: How to Value a Business
  • Initial Planning
  • Sell Side Engagement Letters
  • Pre Sale Preparation
  • Preparing the Sale Process
  • Marketing the Business
  • What Does a Sale Process to Private Equity Buyers look like?
  • Introduction to Venture Capital Term Sheets
  • Capitalisation Tables - Understanding Owership and Value
  • Letters of Intent in M&A Transactions
  • The Due Diligence Process
  • An Introduction to Negotiation
  • Negotiation and Transaction Process Management
  • The Sale and Purchase Agreement
  • Mergers and Acquisitions - Deal Closing Getting Started
  • Deal Closing
  • Buyside M&A
  • Course Summary and Wrap Up

Taught by

John Colley

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4.6 rating at Udemy based on 4146 ratings

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