Under the Hood of M&A is a publication by HumanaQ covering AI applications in mergers and acquisitions, execution risk intelligence, behavioral leadership intelligence, synergy validation, and post-merger integration. It includes original articles, transcript interviews with AI founders in M&A, and is distributed as a Substack newsletter.

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    Under the Hood of M&A

    Practical takes on AI in M&A, execution risk intelligence, behavioral leadership intelligence, and synergy validation.

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    Under the Hood of M&A is a podcast and a newsletter

    Conversations with deal practitioners and AI founders, plus weekly analysis of execution risk in M&A. Listen, watch or read wherever you prefer.

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    You Can Buy an AI Team. Keeping It Is a Different Deal.
    AI in M&A·5 min read

    You Can Buy an AI Team. Keeping It Is a Different Deal.

    In AI and capability deals the team is the asset. Retention bonuses and earnouts keep people on the payroll, but only an integration plan written before signing protects the way the team works.

    The People Side of M&A Isn't Soft. It's Due Diligence With Different Data.
    Behavioral Diligence·5 min read

    The People Side of M&A Isn't Soft. It's Due Diligence With Different Data.

    What the EU AI Act Delay to December 2027 Means for M&A Deals
    AI in M&A·8 min read

    What the EU AI Act Delay to December 2027 Means for M&A Deals

    Your AI Synergy Thesis May Already Be Contracted Away
    AI in M&A·6 min read

    Your AI Synergy Thesis May Already Be Contracted Away

    Carve-Outs: The People Risks That Erode Value
    M&A Strategy·7 min read

    Carve-Outs: The People Risks That Erode Value

    Organization Design in M&A: How People Intelligence Helps the New Structure Deliver the Deal
    Post-Merger Integration·8 min read

    Organization Design in M&A: How People Intelligence Helps the New Structure Deliver the Deal

    The Best AI Solutions for People Diligence in M&A in 2026: HumanaQ, Grodivo and NayaDaya
    Cultural Due Diligence·8 min read

    The Best AI Solutions for People Diligence in M&A in 2026: HumanaQ, Grodivo and NayaDaya

    The Best AI Solutions for Post-Deal M&A in 2026: 5 Tools for Integration and Value Capture
    Post-Merger Integration·8 min read

    The Best AI Solutions for Post-Deal M&A in 2026: 5 Tools for Integration and Value Capture

    The 8 Stages of an M&A Deal, and the People Question Hiding in Each One
    Behavioral Diligence·8 min read

    The 8 Stages of an M&A Deal, and the People Question Hiding in Each One

    The Pre-Close Window: Where Acquisition Value Quietly Leaks, and How People Intelligence Stops It
    M&A Strategy·8 min read

    The Pre-Close Window: Where Acquisition Value Quietly Leaks, and How People Intelligence Stops It

    Choosing the Leadership Team After a Merger
    Post-Merger Integration·7 min read

    Choosing the Leadership Team After a Merger

    Why AI in M&A Is the Best Community for Deal Professionals Figuring Out AI
    M&A Technology·7 min read

    Why AI in M&A Is the Best Community for Deal Professionals Figuring Out AI

    Under the Hood of M&A: The Podcast on How AI Is Changing Deal Work
    Podcast·4 min read

    Under the Hood of M&A: The Podcast on How AI Is Changing Deal Work

    How to Announce an Acquisition to Employees
    Post-Merger Integration·6 min read

    How to Announce an Acquisition to Employees

    Key Employee Retention After an Acquisition: How to Spot Flight Risk Before Day 1
    Post-Merger Integration·7 min read

    Key Employee Retention After an Acquisition: How to Spot Flight Risk Before Day 1

    Claude Skills for M&A: Reusable AI Workflows for Deal Teams (2026)
    M&A Technology·6 min read

    Claude Skills for M&A: Reusable AI Workflows for Deal Teams (2026)

    AI in M&A Community: Why This Group Exists and Who It's For
    M&A Technology·5 min read

    AI in M&A Community: Why This Group Exists and Who It's For

    Diligence AI Has a Ceiling. The Next Advantage Is in the Questions Nobody Asks.
    M&A Technology·4 min read

    Diligence AI Has a Ceiling. The Next Advantage Is in the Questions Nobody Asks.

    How to Use Claude in M&A: A Practical Guide for Deal Professionals
    M&A Technology·11 min read

    How to Use Claude in M&A: A Practical Guide for Deal Professionals

    The Best AI Solutions for M&A in 2026
    M&A Technology·15 min read

    The Best AI Solutions for M&A in 2026

    M&A Was Once a Transaction. It's Becoming an Architecture Tool.
    M&A Strategy·6 min read

    M&A Was Once a Transaction. It's Becoming an Architecture Tool.

    What Human Capital Intelligence Looks Like at Each Stage of a Deal
    Behavioral Diligence·7 min read

    What Human Capital Intelligence Looks Like at Each Stage of a Deal

    Top 3 Reasons Synergy Assumptions Fail, and How Behavioral Data Fixes Them
    Behavioral Diligence·8 min read

    Top 3 Reasons Synergy Assumptions Fail, and How Behavioral Data Fixes Them

    AI Earns Its Place the First 30 Days After Close: Here's Why
    AI in M&A·8 min read

    AI Earns Its Place the First 30 Days After Close: Here's Why

    The Handover Problem: Why Deal Teams and Integration Teams Lose Value Between Them
    Post-Merger Integration·9 min read

    The Handover Problem: Why Deal Teams and Integration Teams Lose Value Between Them

    How to Screen AI Solutions in M&A: A Practitioner's Checklist
    AI in M&A·10 min read

    How to Screen AI Solutions in M&A: A Practitioner's Checklist

    When Is the Best Time for Leadership Behavioral Assessments in M&A?
    Behavioral Diligence·10 min read

    When Is the Best Time for Leadership Behavioral Assessments in M&A?

    M&A Has Run on the Same Playbook for 30 Years. AI Is About to Force a Rewrite.
    AI in M&A·11 min read

    M&A Has Run on the Same Playbook for 30 Years. AI Is About to Force a Rewrite.

    Leadership Due Diligence in M&A: Three Methods Compared (And Why Most Fail)
    Cultural Due Diligence·7 min read

    Leadership Due Diligence in M&A: Three Methods Compared (And Why Most Fail)

    AI vs. Human in M&A: Getting the Division of Labour Right
    M&A Technology·8 min read

    AI vs. Human in M&A: Getting the Division of Labour Right

    Best Services to Predict Cultural Fit in M&A in 2026
    M&A·7 min read

    Best Services to Predict Cultural Fit in M&A in 2026

    Best Buy-Side Cultural Fit Platforms for RIA Acquisitions (2026)
    M&A·7 min read

    Best Buy-Side Cultural Fit Platforms for RIA Acquisitions (2026)

    Why Integration Software Fails: The Execution Definition Gap
    M&A Technology·10 min read

    Why Integration Software Fails: The Execution Definition Gap

    How AI Has Rewritten the M&A Playbook: A Breakdown
    AI in M&A·12 min read

    How AI Has Rewritten the M&A Playbook: A Breakdown

    The Executive Guide to Post-Merger Integration: Managing Execution Risk
    Post-Close Integration·9 min read

    The Executive Guide to Post-Merger Integration: Managing Execution Risk

    The AI in M&A Playbook: What Practitioners Need to Know in 2026
    AI in M&A·8 min read

    The AI in M&A Playbook: What Practitioners Need to Know in 2026

    What Claude Cannot Do in M&A: An Honest Assessment
    AI in M&A·9 min read

    What Claude Cannot Do in M&A: An Honest Assessment

    Operationalizing AI in M&A and Private Capital: A Guide
    AI in M&A·10 min read

    Operationalizing AI in M&A and Private Capital: A Guide

    The AI Playbook for M&A 2026
    AI in M&A·12 min read

    The AI Playbook for M&A 2026

    Post-Merger Integration Tools for Private Equity: What's Missing in 2026
    AI in M&A·11 min read

    Post-Merger Integration Tools for Private Equity: What's Missing in 2026

    Why Execution Behavior Is the Next Value Creation Lever in Private Equity
    AI in M&A·10 min read

    Why Execution Behavior Is the Next Value Creation Lever in Private Equity

    AI Is Making M&A Faster on the Surface and Riskier Underneath
    AI in M&A·9 min read

    AI Is Making M&A Faster on the Surface and Riskier Underneath

    Same Values Does Not Mean Same Culture. Here Is What Actually Predicts Integration Success.
    Post-Close Integration·8 min read

    Same Values Does Not Mean Same Culture. Here Is What Actually Predicts Integration Success.

    Why AI Has Been Slow in M&A Due Diligence (And What Just Changed)
    AI in M&A·5 min read

    Why AI Has Been Slow in M&A Due Diligence (And What Just Changed)

    The Rise of Predictive Analytics in M&A: From Signals to Deal Outcomes
    AI in M&A·9 min read

    The Rise of Predictive Analytics in M&A: From Signals to Deal Outcomes

    How Does a People-Centric Approach Drive Growth Synergies in M&A?
    M&A Integration·8 min read

    How Does a People-Centric Approach Drive Growth Synergies in M&A?

    The Biggest Opportunities and Challenges for M&A in 2026
    M&A Trends·7 min read

    The Biggest Opportunities and Challenges for M&A in 2026

    Why Anchoring Behavioral Data to the Deal Thesis Changes Everything
    Cultural Due Diligence·8 min read

    Why Anchoring Behavioral Data to the Deal Thesis Changes Everything

    Cultural Due Diligence vs Behavioral Due Diligence: What Is the Difference?
    Cultural Due Diligence·9 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence vs Behavioral Due Diligence: What Is the Difference?

    Cultural Due Diligence With AI in M&A in 2026: What Has Changed and What It Now Produces
    Cultural Due Diligence·9 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence With AI in M&A in 2026: What Has Changed and What It Now Produces

    How to Keep Up With AI in M&A in 2026: The Practitioner's Guide
    AI in M&A·8 min read

    How to Keep Up With AI in M&A in 2026: The Practitioner's Guide

    Cultural Due Diligence Is Worthless Unless It Connects to These Six Decisions
    Cultural Due Diligence·8 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence Is Worthless Unless It Connects to These Six Decisions

    What AI Can See in the First 100 Days Your Integration Team Cannot
    M&A Technology·9 min read

    What AI Can See in the First 100 Days Your Integration Team Cannot

    How to Avoid Value Destruction in M&A with AI
    M&A Technology·10 min read

    How to Avoid Value Destruction in M&A with AI

    What HumanaQ Is, What It Is Not, and Why the Distinction Matters
    About·8 min read

    What HumanaQ Is, What It Is Not, and Why the Distinction Matters

    AI Is Changing M&A. Here Is What Is Actually Different.
    M&A Technology·10 min read

    AI Is Changing M&A. Here Is What Is Actually Different.

    The One Thing Missing From Every AI Tool in M&A
    M&A Technology·8 min read

    The One Thing Missing From Every AI Tool in M&A

    How to Prompt AI for M&A: Why the Framing Matters More Than the Question
    M&A Strategy·14 min read

    How to Prompt AI for M&A: Why the Framing Matters More Than the Question

    How to Build an M&A Model Faster Using AI: Tools and Workflow
    M&A Strategy·12 min read

    How to Build an M&A Model Faster Using AI: Tools and Workflow

    Behavioral Data in M&A: What It Should Actually Tell You
    Cultural Due Diligence·14 min read

    Behavioral Data in M&A: What It Should Actually Tell You

    Why Most Acquisitions Fail and How Behavioral Analytics Stops It
    Cultural Due Diligence·12 min read

    Why Most Acquisitions Fail and How Behavioral Analytics Stops It

    Show Me the Money: The Financial Case for Cultural Due Diligence in M&A
    Cultural Due Diligence·6 min read

    Show Me the Money: The Financial Case for Cultural Due Diligence in M&A

    Beyond the Balance Sheet: Why Culture Is the Missing Due-Diligence Layer in M&A
    Cultural Integration·4 min read

    Beyond the Balance Sheet: Why Culture Is the Missing Due-Diligence Layer in M&A

    Inside the Family Office: How Owners and CEOs Really Get Decisions Done
    Family Office·11 min read

    Inside the Family Office: How Owners and CEOs Really Get Decisions Done

    Cognitive NLP in M&A: Why Behavioral AI Is Different From Every Other AI Tool in Your Deal Stack
    M&A Technology·9 min read

    Cognitive NLP in M&A: Why Behavioral AI Is Different From Every Other AI Tool in Your Deal Stack

    AI in M&A: How Behavioral Analysis Predicts Integration and Execution Risk
    M&A Technology·12 min read

    AI in M&A: How Behavioral Analysis Predicts Integration and Execution Risk

    What Is Behavioral Due Diligence in M&A?
    Cultural Due Diligence·9 min read

    What Is Behavioral Due Diligence in M&A?

    Culture Is a Measurable Value Driver in M&A
    Execution Risk·9 min read

    Culture Is a Measurable Value Driver in M&A

    Top 5 Execution Behaviors to Monitor in M&A for Value Creation
    Behavioral Science·12 min read

    Top 5 Execution Behaviors to Monitor in M&A for Value Creation

    Cultural Due Diligence: 5 Reasons Why It Can Never Be a Checklist
    Cultural Due Diligence·11 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence: 5 Reasons Why It Can Never Be a Checklist

    Cultural Due Diligence: Why It Can Never Be a Checklist
    Cultural Due Diligence·11 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence: Why It Can Never Be a Checklist

    How Is AI Being Used in M&A? A Practitioner's Breakdown
    M&A Technology·13 min read

    How Is AI Being Used in M&A? A Practitioner's Breakdown

    What Do Execution Patterns Reveal in M&A?
    M&A·9 min read

    What Do Execution Patterns Reveal in M&A?

    How Is AI Changing Cultural Compatibility in M&A?
    M&A·10 min read

    How Is AI Changing Cultural Compatibility in M&A?

    HumanaQ vs Traditional Culture Diligence Methods
    M&A·9 min read

    HumanaQ vs Traditional Culture Diligence Methods

    Reverse Due Diligence: Why Smart Buyers Let Targets See Inside
    M&A·6 min read

    Reverse Due Diligence: Why Smart Buyers Let Targets See Inside

    Who Actually Needs Behavioral Execution Risk Intelligence?
    M&A·7 min read

    Who Actually Needs Behavioral Execution Risk Intelligence?

    Why Does Value Erode in M&A Before Integration Even Begins?
    M&A·4 min read

    Why Does Value Erode in M&A Before Integration Even Begins?

    What Is the M&A Value Creation Shift in 2026?
    M&A·5 min read

    What Is the M&A Value Creation Shift in 2026?

    Closing the Private Equity Performance Gap: Cultural Intelligence and Strategic Decisioning for M&A
    M&A·7 min read

    Closing the Private Equity Performance Gap: Cultural Intelligence and Strategic Decisioning for M&A

    HumanaQ Featured in Forbes for Redefining Culture in M&A
    M&A·3 min read

    HumanaQ Featured in Forbes for Redefining Culture in M&A

    HumanaQ in Forbes: The 3 Culture-First M&A Strategies Every Acquirer Should Know
    M&A·4 min read

    HumanaQ in Forbes: The 3 Culture-First M&A Strategies Every Acquirer Should Know

    Top 5 Value Drivers for M&A Success
    M&A·5 min read

    Top 5 Value Drivers for M&A Success

    M&A's Blind Spot: The Hidden Cost of Integration Debt
    M&A·3 min read

    M&A's Blind Spot: The Hidden Cost of Integration Debt

    Why Organisational Culture Is Always Top Down
    Leadership·4 min read

    Why Organisational Culture Is Always Top Down

    Swiss Business School (SBS) Barcelona Supports HumanaQ as an Alumni Venture
    Partnership·2 min read

    Swiss Business School (SBS) Barcelona Supports HumanaQ as an Alumni Venture

    Cultural Due Diligence: The Closest Thing to a Guarantee For Search Funds
    M&A·4 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence: The Closest Thing to a Guarantee For Search Funds

    What Breaks in M&A Can't Be Seen on a Spreadsheet
    M&A·4 min read

    What Breaks in M&A Can't Be Seen on a Spreadsheet

    Exit Planning: Why NEEDING to Sell Is a Failure
    Exit Planning·3 min read

    Exit Planning: Why NEEDING to Sell Is a Failure

    CDD: Why it's skipped & the typical chain reaction
    M&A·6 min read

    CDD: Why it's skipped & the typical chain reaction

    How is HumanaQ Different to Traditional Cultural Due Diligence?
    M&A·4 min read

    How is HumanaQ Different to Traditional Cultural Due Diligence?

    Why Alignment Breaks During M&A Integrations and How to Close the Gap
    M&A·4 min read

    Why Alignment Breaks During M&A Integrations and How to Close the Gap

    Top 5 Methods to Run Cultural Due Diligence in M&A
    Quick Takes·3 min read

    Top 5 Methods to Run Cultural Due Diligence in M&A

    Cultural Due Diligence: Measuring The Invisible Culture
    Podcast·25 min listen

    Cultural Due Diligence: Measuring The Invisible Culture

    Execution Risk Is the New Deal Risk in M&A (Part 1)
    M&A·4 min read

    Execution Risk Is the New Deal Risk in M&A (Part 1)

    Integration Debt: The Silent Erosion of Deal Value
    M&A·6 min read

    Integration Debt: The Silent Erosion of Deal Value

    Cultural Due Diligence: Measuring What Makes Deals Work
    M&A·3 min read

    Cultural Due Diligence: Measuring What Makes Deals Work

    How AI is Transforming M&A, and Why Culture is Next
    AI & Technology·3 min read

    How AI is Transforming M&A, and Why Culture is Next

    New M&A partnership acts as "The PitchBook for Culture"
    Partnership·4 min read

    New M&A partnership acts as "The PitchBook for Culture"

    Green on the Dashboard. Red in Reality.
    Leadership·3 min read

    Green on the Dashboard. Red in Reality.

    The Silent Succession Crisis: Why Heirs Lose Interest in Legacy Family Businesses
    Family Business·6 min read

    The Silent Succession Crisis: Why Heirs Lose Interest in Legacy Family Businesses