The M&A playbook: Strategies for high-stakes dealmaking
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The M&A playbook: Strategies for high-stakes dealmaking

Episode # 16 Sep 16, 2026
Guests
Aaditya Gutgutia Executive Director, DAM Capital Advisors
Amrish Shah Partner, M&A Tax at Deloitte
Ankesh Bhargava Ankesh Bhargava, Founder and Managing Partner of Anreya Capital Advisors
Siddhartha Desai Partner, JSA
Sankalpa Bhattacharjya Strategic Initiatives and Deals Partner, PwC

This compilation episode pulls back the curtain on high-stakes dealmaking, bringing together M&A strategies and key takeaways from our Season 2 guests. 

From finding hidden value to spotting red flags and walking away from bad deals, these stories reveal how elite dealmakers manage negotiations and create sustainable growth.

Our guests unpack:

  • Timing market cycles: Capitalizing on downturns and finding opportunity in uncertainty
  • Structuring win-win deals: Aligning buyer and seller incentives to create mutual leverage
  • The value of integrity: Prioritizing client trust and long-term reputation over transaction fees
  • Managing dealbreakers: Overcoming valuation gaps and due diligence bottlenecks
  • Advising with honesty: Telling clients the hard truths to build authority and lasting success
stage: master