Before attempting to navigate the complexities of international dealmaking, many investors were deterred by shifting regulatory landscapes and political instability; however, after applying the cross-border frameworks shared by Euan Rellie and Shawn Whiteside, they can now identify hidden opportunities in emerging corridors like Southeast Asia and India while protecting deal value through proactive cultural integration.

Euan Rellie (Co-Founder of BDA Partners) and Shawn Whiteside (Founder of OneZero Solutions) dive into the "macro to micro" realities of cross-border M&A. Despite political volatility, the US remains a premier destination for sophisticated foreign capital. They discuss the decline of Chinese deal flow in the West, the surge of aggressive Japanese and Indian bidders, and why the "EBITDA trap" destroys deal value when culture is ignored.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the US lower-middle market is increasingly targeted by sophisticated Asian bidders.

• The shift from China to the Japan and India corridors.

• How to "carve up risk and responsibilities" before the deal to avoid post-close chaos.

• The danger of acquirers disrupting the "secret sauce" of a target company's culture.

Connect with the Experts:

• Euan Rellie: Co-Founder, BDA Partners

• Shawn Whiteside: Founder, OneZero Solutions

Main Takeaways:

• US Resilience: Despite "hair-raising" politics, foreign bidders are undeterred because the US remains the global bellwether for technology and service innovation.

• Global Corridor Shifts: While Chinese investment in the US and Europe faces high friction, Japanese and Indian bidders have the capital and flexibility to move faster than they did a decade ago.

• Culture Over Cash Flow: Acquirers often fail because they understand the financial statements but don't grasp the culture that built the success, leading to disruption instead of growth.

Timestamps:

• [00:01:30] – The macro landscape: Political and regulatory shifts in a dynamic world.

• [00:03:00] – The "Tenacity" of the USA: Why foreign bidders still want exposure to American businesses.

• [00:05:00] – The Role of China: Why Chinese bidders are pivoting to global expansion outside the US and Europe.

• [00:05:30] – The Rise of Japan & India: A new era of aggressive, flexible international buyers.

• [00:15:30] – Avoiding Post-Close Chaos: Dividing risk and responsibilities before the deal.

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