The Art of the Deal: Lessons from the Front Lines of M&A with Mario Nigro

February 13, 2026 | By Forthlane Team

In this episode of Forthlane Features, Vanessa Hui sits down with Mario Nigro, a Partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Stikeman Elliott and a primary architect of Canada’s search fund ecosystem.

With a career built on representing both sides of the transaction—the buyer and the seller—Mario brings a unique, 360-degree perspective to the mechanics of a successful deal.

Drawing on decades of experience at the center of both domestic and cross-border transactions, Mario provides his perspectives on the evolution of the Canadian deal-making landscape.

Mario dives into the current dynamics of the market, ‘entrepreneurship through acquisition’, and where the biggest friction points lie today.

Whether you are a seller or an acquirer, Mario’s insights offer a thoughtful look into the preparation and emotional intelligence required to close a deal.

Listen to the podcast episode here.