Publications

The Secrets of Successful M&A Transactions in 2025

Peter Hubert, Partner, MDN Group

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) remain one of the most powerful ways to accelerate growth. While organic growth is important, companies that successfully execute acquisitions consistently deliver higher returns. In fact, frequent acquirers have significantly outperformed their peers for more than two decades – and the performance gap continues to widen.

So, what drives success in today’s complex dealmaking environment? At MDN Group, we highlight five key factors shaping successful M&A in 2025:

From Scale to Scope

In the past, most M&A transactions focused on scale – expanding core operations, increasing production, and consolidating markets. Today, the focus has shifted to scope. Companies are looking to:

• Acquire disruptive technologies

• Strengthen or complete their value chains

• Reach new customer segments

For example:

• Financial services firms are increasingly acquiring fintech start-ups to stay competitive in digital innovation.

• SMEs and mid-market companies in sectors like digital marketing or engineering are targeting niche players – whether in Web3, influencer marketing, or renewable energy infrastructure.

In short: successful M&A in 2025 is less about “getting bigger” and more about “getting smarter.”

Programmatic M&A Strategies

Research shows that “one-off” deals are less effective than a programmatic approach – a clear, repeatable M&A strategy built around a central theme.

Examples include:

• Logistics companies are acquiring tech platforms to enhance supply chain efficiency.

• Engineering firms are buying specialised manufacturers or overseas competitors to offer end-to-end solutions.

This approach spreads risk, delivers more consistent value, and positions companies for long-term growth.

“Programmatic M&A is no longer just a best practice; it’s becoming the standard. Companies that follow a clear acquisition theme are consistently more resilient and better positioned for sustainable growth.” – David Wong, Partner, MDN Group

Building and Maintaining Trust

Trust is one of the most valuable currencies in any transaction. Buyers worry about overpaying or hidden risks; sellers worry about unfavorable renegotiations or delays.

To overcome this, both sides must commit to transparency:

• Sellers should provide accurate, well-organised financial, legal, and operational documentation.

• Buyers should clearly communicate funding availability, deal timelines, and integration intentions.

Importantly, issues should never be hidden. Problems uncovered late in due diligence – or worse, after closing – can damage relationships and destroy value.

Due Diligence on a New Level

Due diligence is no longer just financial. Today’s buyers take a holistic view, including:

• Financial, legal, and tax review

• Operational synergies and integration planning

• Talent and culture assessments

• Market and competitive positioning

Private equity firms and corporates alike are using advanced tools – such as digital footprint analysis, sentiment tracking, and customer reviews – to gain a deeper understanding of potential risks and opportunities.

Sophisticated Integration Planning

Identifying the right target and negotiating the right price is only half the challenge. Integration is where value is either created or lost.

Leading acquirers now use structured integration plans that cover:

• Synergy targets and KPIs (cost savings, revenue growth, market share gains)

• Risk mitigation (staff retention, cultural alignment, technology integration)

• Communication strategies for employees, clients, and stakeholders

Successful M&A in 2025 requires more than financial engineering. It is about a clear strategy, disciplined execution, and trust between all parties.

“Integration is where the deal lives or dies. The most successful acquirers begin planning for integration before the deal is even signed.” –  Denis Stukalov, Managing Partner, MDN Group

At MDN Group, we support clients through every stage of the process – from target identification and valuation, to due diligence, negotiation, and integration planning. Our goal is simple: to help companies unlock growth through well-structured, successful transactions.

Why M&A Matters in 2025: What CEOs Should Know. The importance of adopting a programmatic M&A strategy, emphasizing that companies executing deals aligned with a clear strategic vision tend to outperform their peers, even during volatile periods.

MDN Group’s Services

At MDN Group, we offer M&A Advisory services to guide clients through every phase of a merger or acquisition – from strategy and target selection to negotiation and closing. You can learn more about our full-service execution approach here: M&A Advisory

We also deliver strategic financial and valuation support. Our Business Valuation team provides independent, robust valuation models – such as discounted cash flows or comparable company analyses – to inform decision-making in capital markets, M&A, or restructuring contexts. Read more about how we value companies here: Business Valuation

In addition, MDN Group covers a broad suite of related corporate finance services – such as capital raising, pre-M&A advisory, buy-side and sell-side engagements, and strategic advice. See the full range of what we offer and how we support clients long term: Services