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.

Admission to the Dealmaker Open Austin Reception on Nov. 3^rd is included.

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