Background
A career built on the full M&A and corporate finance lifecycle, from strategy to post-transaction integration.
Vice President M&A — Dassault Systèmes (until 2019)
At Dassault Systèmes, one of France's leading technology groups and a global leader in 3D software and PLM solutions, Didier Gaillot served as Vice President M&A, leading the group's international acquisition strategy. He participated in and led numerous technology acquisitions across Europe, the United States, and Asia, supporting the group's global expansion through buy-and-build transactions in software, simulation, and digital engineering.
This experience encompassed the full transaction lifecycle: target identification, valuation, negotiation, legal structuring, and post-transaction integration. From 2015, in parallel with his role at Dassault Systèmes, he began developing cbbconsult, which he had founded earlier, advising technology companies on M&A and corporate finance.
CFO and board positions
Didier Gaillot has held CFO positions in technology companies requiring a CFO with a strong corporate finance orientation, covering strategic finance, fundraising, investor relations, restructuring, and financial governance in contexts where capital allocation and transaction readiness were central priorities.
He has also served as a board member in more than 10 high-tech companies across the US, Europe, and India, bringing both financial rigour and strategic perspective to growth-stage and venture-backed businesses.
Speaking and industry engagement
Didier Gaillot has spoken at investment and technology conferences, including events focused on artificial intelligence applied to healthcare, where he participated as Group CFO of BioSerenity.
He also served as Operating Chairman of Midaxo, the M&A intelligence platform dedicated to sourcing, evaluating, and integrating acquisitions.
Areas of expertise
Technology M&A
- Buy-side and sell-sideFull transaction support from strategy to closing.
- Software acquisitionsDeep experience in software and high-tech sector transactions.
- Cross-border deals30+ countries across Europe, US, and Asia-Pacific.
Corporate finance
- ValuationMultiple methods, scenario ranges, synergy modelling.
- FundraisingEquity and debt, investor materials, term sheet support.
- Financial structuringDeal mechanics, warranties, risk allocation.
Post-transaction
- Integration planning100-day plan, governance, synergy tracking.
- RestructuringStrategic prioritisation, cost levers, execution tracking.
- Startup advisoryBoard-level support for growth-stage and venture-backed companies.
M&A Playbook
A practical, executive-grade guide covering the full transaction lifecycle, drawn from 30+ years of international M&A experience.
Technology M&A Playbook — free access
7 chapters covering lifecycle, valuation, LOI, due diligence, SPA, integration, and risk transfer. Written by Didier Gaillot based on his experience as Vice President M&A at Dassault Systèmes.
Beyond finance
Contemporary art
Didier Gaillot is a member of the Tokyo Art Club at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, and participates in the collectors programme of ADIAF, the Association pour la Diffusion Internationale de l'Art Français.
Education — Louly, Senegal
Didier Gaillot is involved in an association that created and funds a school in Senegal
serving more than 500 children.
loulysenegal.org →
Work with Didier Gaillot
cbbconsult advises technology companies and startups on acquisitions, fundraising, and corporate finance strategy across Europe.