Laboratory "strategic due diligence: tools, techniques, and real-world applications"

What really happens behind the scenes of a corporate deal? This course opens the black box of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments, equipping students with the tools and frameworks used by consultants, investors, and corporate strategists to assess a company's true potential. We provide a comprehensive overview of the due diligence process in corporate transactions, with a particular focus on both buy-side and sell-side perspectives. Through a mix of theory, case studies, and practical simulations, students will gain a clear understanding of the strategic purpose of due diligence, how it is conducted, and how its findings influence investment decisions. The course places special emphasis on the commercial dimensions of due diligence—market, competitive, and business plan assessments—while also touching on financial, operational, and legal components.

Throughout this course, students will learn how to critically assess a company from the perspective of an investor or acquirer. We will explore the different types of due diligence—buy-side and sell-side—and understand how they serve different strategic purposes in a transaction. Students will dive into the key components of commercial due diligence, including market trends, competitive dynamics, and the robustness of the business plan. Through real case studies and hands-on exercises, they will develop the ability to validate assumptions, challenge forecasts, and synthesize findings into actionable insights.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to approach a potential investment with a structured mindset, formulate the right questions, identify risks and opportunities, and communicate their conclusions effectively—skills that are essential for careers in consulting, private equity, investment banking, and corporate strategy.