<p>Ben & David are joined by special guest <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorbarada">Taylor Barada</a>, 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. </p><p></p><p><strong>Sponsors:</strong></p><ul><li>Legora: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredlegora">https://bit.ly/acquiredlegora</a></li><li>Vanta: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredvanta">https://bit.ly/acquiredvanta</a></li><li>ServiceNow: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26">https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26</a></li><li>Statsig: <a href="https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26">https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26</a></li></ul><br> <p><br></p><p><strong>More Acquired!</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.acquired.fm/email">Get email updates</a> with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodes</li><li><a href="http://acquired.fm/slack">Join the Slack</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/acquiredlp">Subscribe to ACQ2</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acquired.fm/store">Merch Store</a>!</li></ul><p><br>© Copyright 2015-2026 ACQ, LLC</p><br>Topics covered include: <ul><li>How conversations begin between startups and acquirers</li><li>The importance of building a relationship with acquirers over time and "<a href="https://bothsidesofthetable.com/invest-in-lines-not-dots-611f36491d73#.v1gltychy">investing in lines, not dots</a>” (just like raising VC)</li><li>The often under-appreciated role of culture fit between acquirers and acquisition targets </li><li>How entrepreneurs should evaluate acquirers throughout the M&A process </li><li>Two examples of successful acquisitions Taylor completed at Yahoo in <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/17/yahoo-acquires-citizen-sports/">Citizen Sports</a> and <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2011/04/25/yahoo-intonow/">IntoNow</a></li><li>The M&A process at large technology acquirers, from initial conversations to LOI, due diligence and the definitive merger agreement </li><li>The relative roles of Corp Dev, business/product owners and executive sponsors in the M&A process</li><li>Common mistakes startups (and VC’s) often make in the M&A process</li><li>Different “categories” of M&A that acquirers think about, and the relative risks & opportunities of “core" acquisitions vs transformative new businesses </li><li>What percentage of deals Adobe looks at actually happen, and the importance of being willing to say no</li><li>M&A as a tool for strategy, and the different M&A cultures & approaches at different companies </li><li>Tech themes Taylor and Adobe think about as part of their M&A strategy</li><li>Evaluating the longterm success of deals and the importance of the M&A integration function </li></ul><p> Followups: </p><ul><li>Ben & David’s quick take on <a href="http://blog.instagram.com/post/148348940287/160802-stories">Instagram Stories</a>! </li></ul><p> The Carve Out: </p><ul><li>Ben: <a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/7/19/12195452/concorde-supersonic-flight-fail"> Why the Concorde failed</a> by Vox</li><li>David: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Biles">Simone Biles</a>, <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/30/simone-biles-is-the-best-gymnast-in-the-world"> the greatest gymnast of all time</a></li><li>Taylor: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Success-Carol-Dweck-ebook/dp/B000FCKPHG"> Mindset by Carol Dweck</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-Nike-ebook/dp/B0176M1A44/ref=sr_1_1"> Shoe Dog by Phil Knight</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Originals-How-Non-Conformists-Move-World-ebook/dp/B00XIYGCDO/ref=sr_1_1">Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant</a></li><li>None this week… coverage of <a href="http://blog.instagram.com/post/148348940287/160802-stories">Instagram Stories</a> to come next time!</li></ul>