Unlock new markets with mergers & acquisitions

Expanding into new international markets can be time-consuming, expensive and resource intensive. For many Canadian companies, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) offer an alternative path to growth by providing immediate access to customers, distribution channels, talent, intellectual property and established market presence. 

But successful acquisitions require careful planning, thorough due diligence and effective integration strategies. Whether you’re evaluating your first acquisition opportunity, or exploring cross-border expansion strategies, understanding the financial, legal and operational dimensions of M&As is essential. 

This on-demand webinar brings together experts from Export Development Canada (EDC), BDO Canada, Gowling WLG and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to discuss practical approaches for planning, executing and integrating acquisitions that support sustainable international growth.  

The session explores how Canadian exporters can reduce risk, identify value creation opportunities and make more informed strategic decisions when pursuing acquisitions abroad

What you’ll learn

After watching this webinar, you’ll better understand: 

• How mergers and acquisitions can support international market expansion 
• The key stages of an acquisition process—from strategy through integration 
• Best practices for conducting financial, legal and operational due diligence 
• Common risks associated with cross-border transactions 
• Contractual considerations that can improve your success 
• Approaches to post-merger integration and value creation 
• Financing considerations for acquisition transactions 
• How smaller Canadian companies can approach international acquisitions 
• Methods for evaluating acquisition opportunities and strategic fit 
• Practical risk mitigation techniques used by experienced sales teams

Moderator

Speakers

Why this matters

Organic international expansion can take years and require significant investment. Acquisitions can expose businesses to financial, operational and regulatory challenges. Companies may miss critical growth opportunities and market diversification advantages. Well-executed acquisitions can accelerate market entry and long-term competitiveness.

Key topics covered

Understanding mergers and acquisitions: M&As involve combining companies or purchasing existing businesses to accelerate strategic growth.

Why companies use M&As for expansion: Acquisitions can provide immediate access to customers, employees, technologies and distribution networks. Organizations can enter new markets faster than pursuing organic growth alone. Poor strategic fit, integration problems and valuation errors can impact business performance. The key is to align your acquisition targets with long-term business objectives and growth strategies.

Due diligence and risk management: Due diligence is a structured review of financial, legal, operational and commercial information. It helps buyers validate assumptions before completing a transaction, improves decision-making and reduces unexpected liabilities. Insufficient due diligence can result in costly surprises after closing. It’s recommended that you use multidisciplinary advisors and detailed due diligence checklists.

Legal and contract considerations: Purchase agreements establish responsibilities, representations, warranties and risk allocation. Cross-border transactions often involve additional regulatory and legal complexities. Clear contractual terms help avoid disputes and protect value. Unclear agreements may create financial exposure and operational challenges. Consult experienced legal advisors during transaction planning.

Post-merger integration: Integration involves combining people, systems, operations and business processes after a transaction. Many acquisition challenges emerge after the deal closes. Effective integration helps capture expected synergies and value.  Cultural differences and poor communication can undermine acquisition success. Develop a comprehensive integration plan before transaction completion.

Financing growth through acquisition: Acquisitions often require significant capital and liquidity planning. Funding strategies may include equity, debt, or blended financing structures. Appropriate financing supports business continuity and growth objectives. Overleveraging can increase financial pressure during integration. It’s important to evaluate working capital requirements as part of your transaction planning.