ACG Texas Deal School

You don't need to be a dealmaker to learn how deals get done.

Texas Deal School is designed for professionals and business owners who want a practical understanding of the mergers and acquisitions process, from preparing a company for a transaction through valuation, due diligence, financing, closing, and post-close integration.

This introductory, practitioner-led program is particularly relevant for:

• Emerging M&A Professionals: Junior attorneys, accountants, financial analysts, bankers, and advisors developing their transaction knowledge.
• Middle-Market Professionals: Professionals working in private equity, investment banking, commercial lending, wealth management, consulting, and related fields who want to better understand the full transaction lifecycle beyond their own specialties.
• Business Owners and Executives: Founders, CEOs, CFOs, and other business leaders considering a future sale, acquisition, ownership transition, or growth through M&A.
• Professionals Entering the Deal Ecosystem: Individuals transitioning into transaction-related roles or looking to build their understanding of how buyers, sellers, capital providers, and advisors work together.

No prior transaction experience is required.

This is a foundational M&A course, taught by experienced practitioners who work on real transactions. The emphasis is on understanding the process, the participants, the important decisions, and the issues that can affect whether a deal gets done.

Participants will leave with a broader understanding of the M&A lifecycle, practical insights from experienced deal professionals, and a stronger foundation for participating in future transactions.

*Must register with an email ending in .edu to get the Non-Member Student Rate.

Please note: Admission to the Dealmaker Open Austin Reception on Nov. 3^rd is included, so no need for Deal School participants to register for that event separately. 

Also, daily parking in the garage directly behind Procore Tower will be included for Deal School participants. (Entrances on Colorado & 5th Streets, overnight parking is excluded)

Image

Day 1 - The Deal Landscape and Transaction Formation

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

• 11:00-11:15 AM - Registration and Check-In
• 11:15-11:40 AM - Welcome and Program Orientation
• 11:40 AM-12:35 PM - Working Lunch: The Texas Deal Ecosystem
• 12:40-1:20 PM - Owner Readiness and Value Creation
• 1:25-2:10 PM - Buyer Pathways and Investment Models
• 2:10-2:20 PM - Break
• 2:20-3:05 PM - Sourcing and Deal Origination
• 3:10-3:55 PM - Valuation and Deal Economics
• 3:55-4:05 PM - Break
• 4:05-4:50 PM - LOI Strategy and Early Deal Structure
• 4:50-5:00 PM - Day 1 Wrap-Up
• 5:15 PM - Dealmaker Open Austin Reception @ Headliner's Club

Day 2 - Execution, Risk Allocation, and Post-Close Value Creation

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

• 8:00-8:30 AM - Networking Breakfast
• 8:30-9:15 AM - Due Diligence: What Changes or Breaks a Deal?
• 9:20-10:05 AM - Financing the Deal
• 10:05-10:15 AM - Break
• 10:15-11:00 AM - Deal Structure, Tax, Representations, Warranties, and Risk Allocation
• 11:05-11:50 AM - The Seller Transition Conversation
• 12:00-1:45 PM - Working Lunch: Post-Close Integration and Value Creation
• 1:50-2:30 PM - Case Study Review and Team Preparation
• 2:30-2:40 PM - Break
• 2:40-3:20 PM - Capstone Exercise: Deal or No Deal?
• 3:20-3:30 PM - Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways

Sponsored By:

Ruby Level: Munsch Hardt 

Silver Level: Westlake Securities & Monticello Partners

Breaks Sponsor: TEG Capital Advisors LLC

Lunch Sponsor: Whitley Penn

Location Sponsor: Cherry Bekaert

Additional sponsorships are still available - click here for details.

Accommodations: We won’t have a block of rooms at any particular hotel, so you are free to stay where you’d like to maximize your brand loyalty points. Here are a few within walking distance to Procore Tower:

Hotel ZaZa

The Driskill - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Aloft by Marriott Austin Downtown

Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel