Why M&A should be a core pillar of your growth strategy, not a backup plan

Growth used to be straightforward. Build a great product, find your customers, scale your team, and reinvest profits into expansion. However, today’s markets are faster, more saturated, and ruthlessly competitive. For ambitious companies, organic growth alone may not get you where you want to go, or at least not fast enough.

That’s where mergers and acquisitions in india (M&A) come in. Not as a panic button. Not as a once-in-a-lifetime deal. But as a deliberate, long-term growth strategy that can unlock scale, speed, and strategic advantage.

Growth isn’t always linear. Neither should your strategy be

Many businesses default to expanding geographically, launching new products, or investing in marketing when they want to grow. However, those strategies often take time, depend on internal capabilities, and carry high execution risk.

M&A, on the other hand, can offer an instant leap. You don’t build capabilities; you acquire them. You don’t grow your customer base gradually; you take it over.

A 2023 study found that companies that proactively integrated M&A into their core growth strategy achieved 1.8x higher revenue growth than those relying solely on organic paths. The catch? These were not reactive deals. They were part of a long-term playbook.

So why isn’t everyone doing it?

M&A is not easy, but it’s worth it

Let’s be honest: M&A is risky. digital transformation consultant 

Cultural mismatches, botched integrations, overestimated synergies, the list of things that can go wrong is long, and the headlines are full of high-profile failures.

However, the issue often lies not in the concept but in the execution. Many companies turn to M&A only when they’ve hit a wall, when growth has stalled, when investors are pressuring them, or when competitors are gaining ground. That’s a bad time to buy.

On the other hand, companies that treat M&A as a capability, not a one-time event, tend to make better decisions. They plan, build integration playbooks, align teams, and map out target profiles long before a deal is on the table.

This proactive mindset changes everything.

5 situations where M&A accelerates growth

You want to expand into new markets fast

Buying a local player can shortcut years of market research, hiring, and regulatory navigation.

You need new capabilities or technologies

Why build an AI team from scratch if you can acquire a niche startup already built?

You’re facing talent shortages

Acquihires: acquiring a company primarily for its people can bring much-needed expertise.

You want to consolidate a fragmented industry

Rolling multiple small players into a stronger, unified brand can improve margins and market share.

You’re preparing for an exit and want to boost your valuation

Smart acquisitions can improve your topline and make your company attractive to future buyers or investors.

The truth? Integration is everything

The deal is just the beginning. esg consulting services

McKinsey estimates that 70% of mergers fail to deliver expected synergies, and the culprit is often poor integration. Systems don’t align, cultures clash, and customers get confused.

That’s why experienced M&A advisory partners will make a real difference. They will evaluate the deal and help you think through the aftermath, from communication plans to organizational structure, brand architecture, and operational overlaps. It’s unglamorous but essential to your survival.

A mindset shift: from being opportunistic to strategic

One of the biggest mistakes companies make is thinking of M&A as opportunistic. A good target pops up, and they scramble to close a deal. But without a strategic fit, it often becomes a distraction or, worse, a financial burden.

The smarter approach? Create a target thesis: What kind of companies would accelerate your growth? What markets are aligned with your long-term goals? What gaps do you need to fill? With that clarity, you can pursue targets that make sense and walk away from those that don’t.

SVOD Advisory has worked with fast-growing Indian and international firms to design and execute M&A strategies tailored to their business realities. From identifying the right targets to supporting cross-border compliance and post-deal integration, the goal is always the same: growth with purpose.

A quick case snapshot

A mid-sized Indian B2B SaaS provider wanted to expand into Southeast Asia. Rather than opening offices from scratch, they acquired a smaller but culturally aligned company in Malaysia. SVOD Advisory supported them through regulatory diligence, valuation benchmarking, and integration planning. Within 8 months, the company had doubled its SEA revenues and leveraged the new team's capabilities to launch two new services.

The secret? M&A wasn’t an afterthought. It was part of their annual strategic plan.

Concluding thoughts: Gain strength before you need it

Most founders know how to build a product, a team, or a brand. However, creating an M&A muscle takes a different mindset: external awareness, strategic patience, and financial discipline.

While not every year will include a deal, the companies that outperform over time are often always ready with their playbook, advisors, and ambition.

Interested in making M&A part of your growth journey?

SVOD Advisory helps companies across sectors plan, execute, and integrate M&A as a smart growth lever. Contact us to discuss how we can support your strategy.