Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)

What Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA) does

The Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA) is a not-for-profit educational think tank founded in 2004 and headquartered in New York, with operational offices in Zurich, Vienna, London, Singapore, and Manila. It delivers M&A-focused executive education and professional certification through six core programs (IM&A, CPMI, M&AP, LM&A, HRM&A, SCDE), supplemented by specialized valuation training with Prof. Aswath Damodaran, in-house corporate academies, masterclasses, and academic conferences. The buyer base spans senior corporate executives, advisors, investment bankers, lawyers, HR professionals, and PE deal teams across more than 100 countries.

The institute's core technology is a WordPress-based learning management system supporting self-paced online video courses, interactive live virtual cohorts, and onsite intensive programs at major financial centers (Singapore, Amsterdam, New York, Riyadh, Vienna, Salzburg). Proprietary assets include the IM&A Body of Knowledge and CPMI Framework (structured M&A and post-merger integration curricula), a digital charter and LinkedIn badge system, and what the company describes as the world's largest free-of-charge M&A statistics database covering over 790,000 transactions valued above $57 trillion since 2000. Faculty comprises 60+ practitioners and academics from over 20 countries.

IMAA's commercial model combines individual certification fees ($990-$5,490 depending on program and format), custom-priced enterprise in-house training (workshops to 12-month academies), conference and symposium revenue (notably The Oxford M&A Symposium at Jesus College), and a membership program offering statistics downloads, e-library access, and alumni network benefits. The marketing motion blends content marketing, events, webinars, social media, and earned media in major outlets (Financial Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg). Pricing varies by delivery format (online self-paced, interactive live, onsite) with early-bird and bundle discounts. The organization is led by Founder and CEO Prof. Dr. Christopher Kummer, and operates without disclosed external investors or funding rounds.

Name

Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)

Legal name

Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances

Website

https://imaa-institute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IMAA is a not-for-profit M&A executive education provider founded in 2004, delivering globally recognized certifications (IM&A, CPMI, M&AP, LM&A, HRM&A, SCDE), in-house corporate training, and academic conferences to dealmakers, advisors, and corporate executives across 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zurich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Certification Programs: Revenue from comprehensive certification programs including IM&A, CPMI, M&AP, LM&A, HRM&A, and SCDE. Programs available in multiple formats (online, interactive live, onsite) at different price points ranging from approximately $3,290 to $5,490 per individual certification.
2. Specialized Valuation Training: Premium valuation training program with Prof. Aswath Damodaran (known as the 'Dean of Valuation'). Virtual live format at $990 and onsite formats at $1,620-$1,920.
3. In-House Corporate Training: Customized enterprise training programs for organizations including workshops, academies, and ongoing development programs. Tailored to specific deal environments, industries, and strategic goals.
4. Conferences and Events: Revenue from symposiums and conferences including The Oxford M&A Symposium and regional events like M&A in Asia.
5. IMAA Membership: Individual and corporate membership providing access to full M&A data, statistics downloads, research services, and alumni network benefits. Corporate members receive tailored research services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IMAA is a not-for-profit educational institute that delivers globally recognized certificate programs in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), post-merger integration, valuation, and related disciplines, offered via online self-paced, interactive live online, and onsite intensive formats. It supplements these certifications with customized in-house corporate training, executive masterclasses, professional conferences, and an M&A statistics database and e-library for members.

Product overview

IMAA is a not-for-profit think tank for Mergers & Acquisitions providing educational certificate programs, workshops, resources, and expert knowledge. The core offering consists of six certification programs: International M&A Expert (IM&A), Certified Post Merger Integration Expert (CPMI), Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (M&AP), Legal M&A Expert (LM&A), HR M&A Expert (HRM&A), and Certified Separation, Carve-Out and Divestment Expert (SCDE). These are complemented by specialized Valuation Training with Prof. Aswath Damodaran. The organization also offers enterprise services including In-House M&A Training (customized corporate programs) and M&A Masterclass (one-day executive programs), along with professional conferences and a comprehensive M&A Resources platform including statistics, e-library, and publications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International M&A Expert (IM&A) Certification A flagship M&A certification covering the entire deal lifecycle from strategy, valuation, due diligence, and negotiation to execution and post-merger integration. Available in online self-paced, interactive online live cohort, and onsite intensive formats and aimed at mid-to-senior professionals and advisors.
• Certified Post Merger Integration Expert (CPMI) A specialized certification focused on post-merger integration planning, governance, synergy realization, project management, and change management, structured around IMAA's proprietary CPMI Framework. Designed for corporate executives and advisors responsible for integration outcomes.
• Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (M&AP) A professional certification aimed at auditors, consultants, deal advisors, investment bankers, and lawyers covering the full transaction journey and how to run a successful M&A practice. Delivered online self-paced.
• Legal Mergers & Acquisitions Expert (LM&A) A certification covering the legal aspects of M&A transactions including contracts, deal structuring, tax considerations, antitrust, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. Targeted at in-house legal teams and transactional lawyers.
• HR Mergers & Acquisitions Expert (HRM&A) A certification covering the human resources side of M&A including HR due diligence, post-merger integration, compensation and benefits, labor law, culture, and change management. Designed for HR professionals involved in transactions.
• Certified Separation, Carve-Out and Divestment Expert (SCDE) A certification covering the entire divestment life cycle, including analyzing business drivers, structuring Transition Services Agreements (TSAs), and executing and implementing separations and carve-outs.
• Valuation Training with Prof. Aswath Damodaran A specialized premium valuation training program taught by Prof. Aswath Damodaran covering DCF models, multiples, and relative valuation techniques for private and public companies. Available in virtual live and onsite formats.
• In-House M&A Training A customized corporate training service delivered at client offices or chosen locations, covering the full M&A lifecycle with case studies, simulations, and role-specific content. Programs range from 2-3 day workshops to 12-month academies and are designed for Fortune 500 companies, PE firms, investment banks, and law firms.
• M&A Masterclass A one-day executive masterclass providing interactive, hands-on learning through real-world case studies and practical M&A insights for senior professionals.
• M&A Conferences (Oxford M&A Symposium and M&A in Asia) A series of professional M&A conferences including The Oxford M&A Symposium at Jesus College, Oxford University, and M&A in Asia in Singapore, bringing together senior practitioners and leading academics.
• IMAA Membership Program Individual and corporate membership providing access to the full M&A statistics database, downloadable statistics, research services, alumni network benefits, and charterholder status; corporate members also receive tailored research services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of participants report immediate application of skills in ongoing transactions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Oxford University - Jesus CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for The Oxford M&A Symposium - a symposium for senior practitioners and leading academics held at Jesus College, Oxford University. Represents IMAA's most prestigious academic event.
• Singapore M&A AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for M&A in Asia conference in Singapore, combining IMAA's M&A expertise with local market knowledge and networks.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wall Street Prep: Wall Street Prep provides financial training and certification programs for investment banking, corporate finance, and M&A professionals, including corporate training partnerships. It is a direct competitor in the practitioner-led financial certification market that IMAA serves.
• The M&A Advisor: The M&A Advisor is an industry media, events, and education platform focused on the M&A ecosystem, hosting awards, conferences, and educational content for M&A professionals. It competes with IMAA in the M&A events and professional education space.
• Corporate Finance Institute (CFI): CFI is a leading online provider of financial training and certifications for professionals, including courses in valuation, M&A, and financial modeling. It directly competes with IMAA in the online certification and practitioner training segment for finance and M&A professionals.

Broad incumbents

• INSEAD Executive Education: INSEAD is a leading global business school with executive education programs covering M&A, strategy, and corporate development. It competes with IMAA in the global executive M&A education market, with strong brand recognition and campus presence across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
• American Management Association: AMA is a long-established executive education and professional development provider offering courses across management, finance, and business topics. It is a broader incumbent in the executive education market where IMAA operates, with greater scale and brand recognition.
• HBS Executive Education: Harvard Business School Executive Education offers advanced management programs including M&A, corporate development, and strategy courses for senior executives. It is a top-tier business school incumbent competing for the same senior executive audience as IMAA's M&A programs.
• KPMG Corporate Finance: KPMG is a Big4 advisory firm with corporate finance, M&A, and corporate development training programs for executives and deal teams. It competes for in-house M&A training budgets that IMAA also targets, though as part of a broader professional services portfolio.

Others

• LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning is a subscription-based online learning platform with courses in business, finance, and M&A topics, integrated with the LinkedIn professional network. It is an adjacent education provider competing for individual professional development spending in the same target audience.
• Coursera for Business: Coursera for Business is an enterprise online learning platform offering courses from top universities and companies, including M&A and finance topics. It is an adjacent platform competing for the same enterprise training budget, though as a broader multi-topic learning provider.

Emerging players

• Damodaran Online (NYU Stern): Prof. Aswath Damodaran's NYU Stern valuation courses and online content are widely used free resources for valuation training. He is also a partner of IMAA for valuation training, making this a partially overlapping emerging player in the free online valuation education space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IMAAGlobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imaaglobal
• Instagraminstagram.com/imaaglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)