Naz Klendjian has spent 30 years advising sovereign wealth funds, private equity, and infrastructure investors on major deals.

He explains how tax has become a weapon in the US-EU trade war, why geopolitics drives where big money flows, and what watching a great business collapse taught him about risk.

As a partner at one of India’s leading capital markets law firms, Siddhartha Desai has advised on some of the country’s largest equity deals.

He explains why going public is harder than it used to be, where IPO money is actually spent, and what AI still can’t do for lawyers.

Maurice Harbison has spent over 25 years advising on global deals with roles at Rothschild, EY, and Bryan, Garnier & Co (now Stifel).

He shares why culture matters more than valuation in M&A, what a collapsed billion-dollar deal taught him about control, and the reality behind the “SaaS apocalypse.”

A former ATP-ranked tennis pro turned technology banker, Ankesh Bhargava founded Anreya Capital Advisors to close cross-border deals across the US, Europe, and APAC.

He shares why synergy beats valuation, what it takes to walk away from a ~$100 million deal, and how a mindset built on the court shapes his approach to M&A.

A seasoned investment banker and author of The Polycycle Investor, Aaditya Gutgutia has advised on some of India’s market-defining deals. He shares lessons from landmark IPOs and reveals how top bankers think like entrepreneurs, why uncertainty creates opportunity, and what it takes to succeed in high-stakes negotiations.

A 37-year veteran of M&A tax, Amrish shares his blueprint for transaction success. He discusses the “sixth sense” needed for complex deals, how to build client trust without the business dinner, and why playing to your strengths is the only way to outcompete the field.

Nitin explains why competitive tension is critical to protecting deal value. He shares how he keeps buyers engaged, navigates unexpected challenges, and leads through complexity. He also reveals the principles that help him win repeat business in a crowded market.

James explains how executing deals during the financial crisis set the foundation for strategic leadership at Barclays. He reveals the skills that matter most in M&A, why relationships drive every deal, and how he measures success beyond the job title.

Divyansh Nasa and Abhay Anand reveal how top dealmakers think and act under pressure. They discuss staying steady when deals get complicated, aligning stakeholders and managing risk, and using AI to enhance insight while keeping human judgment central.

This special compilation episode brings together the most memorable moments from 2025. You’ll hear career lessons from seven leading dealmakers, including perspectives on AI in M&A, reflections on life and work, and the habits that drive success.

Mahesh and Ashish share what decades in M&A have taught them about resilience, patience, and human judgment. They explain why trust lies at the heart of every great deal, how instinct enhances analysis, and why sometimes the smartest move in a negotiation is to slow down.

Recently named one of India’s top 10 most iconic CSOs, Ankur shares how he leads strategy at a billion-dollar company. He talks about staying calm under pressure, why transparency drives better deals, and how human judgment still outperforms AI in M&A

Abhay shares the strategies behind winning mandates and closing landmark M&A deals. He explains why identifying the right market niche is critical and how trust-based leadership can turn high-pressure environments into opportunities for growth.

Divyansh shares how his technical background has shaped his success in dealmaking. He breaks down effective carve-out strategies, why post-merger integration is critical to realizing deal value, and how businesses can accelerate GenAI adoption.

With experience leading due diligence on over 700 deals, Samir explains the importance of clear strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and knowing when to walk away from the wrong opportunities. He also discusses how AI is leveling up M&A advisors.

Anand went from 20 years in corporate banking to founding one of India’s top 10 M&A advisory firms. He shares how incremental wins paved the way, why taking ownership is essential to success, and the impact AI is having on dealmaking.

Ashish reflects on his journey in M&A, the power of long-term relationships, and why trust and timing often matter more than valuations. He also explores how AI is transforming the industry and why human judgment remains key to success.

At 23, Mahesh left his engineering job and moved to Mumbai to launch his own advisory firm. Today, Singhi Advisors is one of India’s top five M&A advisory firms. In this episode, Mahesh shares his journey, career-defining deals, and why smart risk-taking has been key to his success.