cover of episode Episode 18: Special—An Acquirer’s View into M&A with Taylor Barada, head of Corp Dev at Adobe

Episode 18: Special—An Acquirer’s View into M&A with Taylor Barada, head of Corp Dev at Adobe

2016/8/22
logo of podcast Acquired

Acquired
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
T
Taylor Barada
Topics
Taylor Barada 阐述了大型科技收购公司，例如 Adobe，如何与初创公司建立联系并进行收购。他强调了建立长期关系的重要性，这与风险投资类似，需要投资于“线”，而不是“点”。他认为，文化契合度是收购成功的关键因素之一，Adobe 甚至放弃过数十亿美元的交易，因为文化不匹配。他还详细介绍了收购过程中的各个阶段，从初步接触到最终合并协议，以及每个阶段中各个参与者的角色和责任。他特别强调了业务负责人和企业发展部门之间的合作，以及在整个过程中保持透明和开放沟通的重要性。他还讨论了不同类型的收购，例如核心收购和转型性收购，以及如何根据公司的战略目标来选择合适的收购目标。最后，他还分享了 Adobe 如何评估收购的成功与否，以及他们如何通过整合功能和定期评估来确保收购的成功。 Ben Gilbert 和 David Rosenthal 作为主持人，引导了与 Taylor Barada 的对话，并提出了关于收购过程、文化契合度、战略考虑以及成功评估等方面的问题。他们还讨论了 Instagram Stories 的推出以及 Facebook 收购 Snapchat 的失败案例，并分享了各自的阅读心得。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Taylor Barada discusses the initiation of conversations between startups and acquirers, emphasizing the importance of relationship building and strategic fit over immediate transactional goals.
  • Conversations often start through mutual connections and introductions.
  • Building relationships over time is crucial for understanding strategic fit.
  • Startups should focus on long-term collaboration rather than immediate sale.

Shownotes Transcript

Ben & David are joined by special guest Taylor Barada), VP and Head of Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships at Adobe, to discuss how large tech acquirers approach buying companies. This episode is full of great insights for startups & entrepreneurs who might find themselves navigating the M&A process, as well as anyone curious about the craft of dealmaking and the strategic approach of large acquirers. 

**Sponsors:**Statsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig24)Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvanta)Crusoe: https://bit.ly/acquiredcrusoe)  Topics covered include: 

  • How conversations begin between startups and acquirers
  • The importance of building a relationship with acquirers over time and "investing in lines, not dots)” (just like raising VC)
  • The often under-appreciated role of culture fit between acquirers and acquisition targets 
  • How entrepreneurs should evaluate acquirers throughout the M&A process 
  • Two examples of successful acquisitions Taylor completed at Yahoo in Citizen Sports) and IntoNow)
  • The M&A process at large technology acquirers, from initial conversations to LOI, due diligence and the definitive merger agreement 
  • The relative roles of Corp Dev, business/product owners and executive sponsors in the M&A process
  • Common mistakes startups (and VC’s) often make in the M&A process
  • Different “categories” of M&A that acquirers think about, and the relative risks & opportunities of “core" acquisitions vs transformative new businesses 
  • What percentage of deals Adobe looks at actually happen, and the importance of being willing to say no
  • M&A as a tool for strategy, and the different M&A cultures & approaches at different companies 
  • Tech themes Taylor and Adobe think about as part of their M&A strategy
  • Evaluating the longterm success of deals and the importance of the M&A integration function

 

  Followups: 

 

  The Carve Out: