Murfreesboro, TN — April 14, 2026 — What does it actually take to close a deal? That question is driving a new collaboration between Versailles Group CEO Donald Grava and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), aimed at closing the gap between academic finance training and the realities of mergers and acquisitions dealmaking.
In partnership with Professor Frank Michello, Grava helped launch an immersive set of video modules filmed on MTSU’s campus, called the “Meet an Expert” series. The series features a structured, interview-style format, with Michello and Grava engaging in in-depth Q&A discussions that explore real-world mergers and acquisitions practice. Designed as a supplement to MTSU’s M&A curriculum, the videos provide students with firsthand insight into the complexities of dealmaking, from valuation and negotiation to navigating uncertainty in live transactions. Rather than relying solely on textbook theory, the series puts students face-to-face with the realities of the field: how deals evolve, where they break, and what it takes to get them across the finish line.
Middle-market deals account for a substantial share of U.S. M&A activity, often involving founder-owned businesses and requiring more tailored structuring and negotiation than larger transactions. These deals tend to be less standardized and more sensitive to market volatility, increasing the premium on advisor judgment and execution experience.
Grava, who has led Versailles Group for more than four decades, brings extensive transaction experience to the series. Versailles Group is a middle-market investment bank specializing in M&A advisory. Known for his practical and candid approach, Grava has long been committed to mentoring the next generation of finance professionals.
In addition to this collaboration with MTSU, Grava has been a frequent guest speaker at universities including Bentley University and the University of Tampa, where he shares industry insights and career guidance with students pursuing finance and investment banking.
“The M&A process is inherently nuanced,” said Grava. “Beyond the financial analysis, success depends on judgment, timing, and the ability to manage complexity. Giving students visibility into those elements helps prepare them for the realities of the profession.”
The “Meet an Expert” series will be incorporated into MTSU’s M&A coursework beginning this summer and potentially made available as an ongoing educational resource, providing students with continued access to industry perspectives that complement their academic training.
The initiative underscores both MTSU’s commitment to career-ready education and Versailles Group’s ongoing investment in developing future leaders in finance by combining academic rigor with practitioner insight.
Founded in 1987, Versailles Group is a boutique investment bank that specializes in international mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Versailles Group’s skill, flexibility, and experience have enabled it to successfully close M&A transactions for companies in the middle and lower-middle market. Versailles Group has closed transactions in all economic environments, literally around the world.
Versailles Group provides clients with both buy-side and sell-side M&A services and has been completing cross-border transactions since its founding in 1987.
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