How to get a strategic premium in M&A

Why are strategic buyers sometimes willing to pay far more than financial investors—and why do sellers so often fail to capture that upside?

Drawing on insights from hundreds of transactions, we explore why different buyers can arrive at vastly different valuations for the same company, and what truly drives a strategic premium.

The session is structured in three parts. First, we examine why standalone valuations vary so widely across investors and buyers. Second, we deep dive into the four key sources of strategic value in M&A and show how they played out in recent high-profile Swedish transactions, including Sana Labs’ acquisition by Workday and Recorded Future’s acquisition by Mastercard. Finally, we address a critical but often overlooked question: why strategic value does not automatically translate into a higher price—and what founders and investors can do to change that.

What you will learn

• Why the same company can be valued very differently by financial investors and strategic buyers

• The four sources of strategic value in M&A—and how they appear in real transactions

• Key takeaways from recent Swedish deals

• Why strategic value often accrues to the buyer, not the seller—and how to avoid that trap

• The factors that determine whether a strategic premium can actually be captured

• How to shape buyer perception, competition, and process design to maximize valuation

You will leave with a clearer understanding of how sellers can increase the likelihood of capturing both the highest standalone valuation and the largest possible strategic premium.

Who should attend?
Founders and investors considering an exit within the next 10 years who want to maximize value in a strategic sale.

This breakout session is held in "Herrgårn" on the balcony level inside Eriksbergshallen. From the registration area, head up the stairs two floors to access the session.