Avinash Patel, Partner at PJT Partners (NYSE: PJT)

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Investment bankers aren't always seen as trusted advisors; some see them as deal-pushers, prioritizing fees over friendships. The skepticism is fair, but many miss the point of what they actually bring to the table.

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In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Avinash Patel, Partner at PJT Partners, offers an insider’s view on what investment bankers really do in M&A, from guiding strategic vision to wielding influence in complex transactions.

Things you will learn:

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• Why investment bankers face a reputation challenge

• Building influence and shaping strategy through relationship investment

• Working with public vs. private companies as an investment banker

• Evaluating the right private equity partner

• Finding the right advisory partnership

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This episode is sponsored by S&P Global. S&P Global Market Intelligence has private companies covered. Whether you’re looking for your next investment or M&A target, conducting peer comparisons, assessing counterparty credit risk, or monitoring your supply chain, S&P Capital IQ Pro's extensive private company data can give you the insights you need for a competitive edge. Uncover tangible insights on private companies by visiting spglobal.com/privatecompanydata

This episode is also sponsored by DealRoom AI, the latest innovation from DealRoom designed specifically for M&A professionals. DealRoom AI automates the analysis and extraction of key information from due diligence documents, empowering teams to save up to 80% of their time on document analysis and focus on what really matters—closing the deal.

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Episode Timestamps

00:00 Intro

08:37 Why investment bankers face a reputation challenge

13:29 The role of investment bankers

17:21 Building influence and shaping strategy through relationship investment

21:36 Tailor advice and introductions for big-company impact

23:31 Example of companies turning strategic advice into growth

30:08 Working with public vs. private companies

32:21 Role play: Scaling through organic growth and strategic acquisitions

44:19 Leveraging investment bankers to identify strategic carve-out opportunities

48:29 Building selective PE relationships for carve-out deals

50:54 Evaluating the right private equity partner - willing to answer

55:47 The importance of buyer-led M&A integration planning

1:06:29 Finding the right advisory partnership

1:08:18 Craziest thing in M&A

What Elite Investment Bankers Do Differently in M&A

M&A Science