BMH BRÄUTIGAM

06.07.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Recare on acquisition of Pflegeplatzmanager

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Recare Holding on the acquisition of Pflegeplatzmanager GmbH (PPM).
Recare Holding, founded in 2017 by Maximilian Greschke and Charles Cote, operates a cloud-based platform for discharge management and care coordination for acute care hospitals in Germany and France.

The merger with PPM, a company distinguished by its strong care expertise and service focus, and the resulting network expansion, are expected to result in faster care delivery. Both companies are committed to driving digital transformation in healthcare and improving value creation in hospitals.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising Recare since its founding, both on an ongoing basis in all corporate law matters and in financing rounds, and has been able to steadily expand and successfully deepen the client relationship since then.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink, Catharina Schmidt, Dr. Jan Böhle, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital)

05.07.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Helaba Digital on € 7 million financing round of Cashlink

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen (Helaba) in the €7 million financing round of fintech Cashlink, a leading force in asset tokenization and digital securities issuance.
In addition to Helaba, existing investors Panta Rhei, C3 Venture Capital and TX Ventures also participated in the round.

Cashlink enables the fully digital issuance of securities through the use of blockchain technology, while also advocating for blockchain-based applications to be increasingly used in the financial industry.
Digitization of this kind supports companies in building sustainable business models. Helaba's strategic investment illustrates the benefits that come with such cooperation, especially for financial institutions.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds both on the side of investors and on the side of the company. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team already advised TX Ventures on the Series A of Cashlink and has now also supported Helaba as a new investor.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Jan Böhle (both Venture Capital)

12.06.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises UVC Partners on € 7 million pre-seed financing round of Proxima Fusion

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised early stage investor UVC Partners on the € 7 million pre-seed financing round of Munich-based nuclear fusion start-up Proxima Fusion. Proxima Fusion is the first spin-out company of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, which built and operates the world's most advanced stellarator, Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X).

In addition to lead investors UVC Partners and Plural Platform, High-Tech-Gründerfonds and the Wilbe Group also participated in the round.
The company was founded earlier this year by Francesco Sciortino and four other nuclear researchers to drive breakthroughs in nuclear fusion. The goal here is to bring fusion energy from stellarators to the grid, thereby creating new reliable energy sources beyond wind and solar and thus counteracting the future energy transition.
The fresh capital will be used to develop a new high-performance stellarator, which will be the first step towards building a stellarator-based fusion power plant.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds both on the part of investors and the company. The contact to UVC Partners was established through advising the Earlybird investment in Aleph Alpha, in which UVC Partners also participated.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Catharina Schmidt (both Venture Capital)

17.05.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Genuine German on strategic investment of Melchers

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Genuine German, a Berlin-based company, on its strategic investment of Melchers.

Melchers is a global services company based in Germany with several subsidiaries in China. With more than 200 years of experience and a long history in China, the company has a deep understanding of the Chinese consumer landscape and local customer behavior, as well as a well-established distribution network. This makes Melchers the ideal partner for Genuine's innovative approach to ensuring brands can compete in the fast-growing digital economy in China. The goal of both companies is to strategically collaborate and complement each other's services to expand their respective offerings to existing and new customers with a focus on China. Through this cooperation, Melchers is expanding its portfolio in China in the area of e-commerce. Conversely, Genuine will benefit from Melchers' long-standing expertise and roots as a service provider in Greater China. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. Our team has special expertise in advising at the interface between VC and M&A. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, László Molnar, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital), Sebastian Krieg (Tax), Katja Walkhoff (Real Estate)

03.05.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Visotec on sale to Heidelberg Engineering

BMH BRÄUTIGAM comprehensively advised the shareholders of Visotec GmbH on the sale to Heidelberg Engineering.

Heidelberg Engineering has been working with scientists, physicians and industry partners for over 30 years to develop innovative ophthalmic solutions that enable physicians to improve patient care. Heidelberg Engineering's growing product portfolio includes confocal microscopy, laser scanning, optical coherence tomography (OCT), real-time image processing and analysis, multimodal image data management solutions (PACS), electronic patient data management and data mining. Visotec GmbH is developing simple and affordable OCT diagnostics for improved and personalized treatment of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The innovative solution enables automatic examination of the retina with a compact and easy-to-use device. This allows patients to regularly check for disease activity and, if necessary, see an ophthalmologist in time for treatment. The merger allows Visotec to combine its expertise in state-of-the-art full-field OCT technology for remote diagnosis with Heidelberg Engineering's global reach and industry leadership. Visotec's proprietary OCT technology can be integrated into the secure data exchange environment of the HEIDELBERG EYE EXPLORER platform, offering tremendous potential in the field of ambulatory patient care. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on transactions in the technology sector and has particular expertise and industry knowledge in the technology sector. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, Bastian Reinschmidt, Maximilian Frink, Arthur Buchholz (all Corporate / M&A), Dr. Jan Böhle (IP), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

26.04.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 3.2 million financing round of Nosh.bio

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the € 3.2 million seed financing round of Berlin-based food tech startup Nosh.bio.

Nosh.bio was founded in 2022 by Tim Fronzek, formerly co-founder of rebuy.com, and Felipe Lino, former Novozymes researcher and global R&D manager at AB-InBev, with the goal of helping to shape the food industry of tomorrow. The company uses natural, fermented mycoprotein to put highly functional, healthy and clean-label ingredients on the market at the same price as animal-based ingredients. Nosh.bio's ingredients have binding, gelling and texturizing properties and are expected to replace chemical additives in the future, enabling, for example, the production of meat substitutes with a single ingredient. In addition to lead investor Earlybird Venture Capital, U.S. fund Clear Current Capital, Grey Silo Ventures and Good Seed Ventures participated in the round. With the fresh capital, Nosh.bio will continue to commercialize its first product, develop R&D processes and expand production capacity. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments (most recently on the Greenlyte financing round, among others) and was able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Jan Böhle, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital)

19.04.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Perpetua subsidiary ArteCare on takeover of two established care locations

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised ArteCare, a portfolio company of Perpetua Holding, on the acquisition of two established inpatient care locations from the insolvent Convivo Group.

Under the umbrella of the ArteCare Group, founded in 2007, a total of nine facilities are operated in northern and western Germany, providing daily care for almost 1,000 people in need of nursing care. Two further locations are currently being planned. ArteCare covers various forms of care from inpatient care services to innovative, combined care concepts. Since 2021, Perpetua Holding has been supporting the company as a long-term partner in strategic issues and investing in the sustainable growth of the group as a majority shareholder and strong financial partner. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises private equity investors such as Perpetua on investments and their portfolio companies - including ArteCare - on strategic acquisitions. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Tina Schmidt, Jan-Peter Heyer (both Private Equity), Katja Walkhoff (Real Estate)

12.04.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Prestatech on € 4 mio. Series A financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised leading FinTech company Prestatech on its €4 million Series A financing round, led by CDP Venture Capital Sgr, a leading investor in innovative startups, with participation from Alchimia Spa and Vantage 20 SA.

The innovative FinTech company Prestatech, founded by Christian Nothacker (CEO), Luca Terragni (CPO), Lorenzo Giusti (CFO), and Massimiliano Mastalia in February 2021, is disrupting the financial decision-making landscape with cutting-edge technological solutions. Headquartered in the cities of Berlin and Milan, Prestatech aims to bridge the gap between traditional, manual processes and the digital finance world, providing reliable and data-driven decisions to financial institutions and commercial platforms alike. Prestatech's advanced solutions have already attracted major players in the European financial and B2B sectors. With Prestatech, clients gain easy and immediate access to a wide range of credit and financial decision-making tools. Leveraging AI and ML models in tandem with proprietary Big Data technology, Prestatech's dynamic solutions are set to revolutionize clients' financial decision-making processes and improve customers' user experience. The fresh capital will be used to expand their Italian operations, to accelerate the development of Prestatech's embedded finance product offering and to further expand its market presence in the lending space in Europe. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has already been able to accompany Prestatech in the context of the previous financing round 2021. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink (both Venture Capital)

30.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Parloa on € 20 million Series A financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised AI company Parloa on its €20 million Series A financing round.

Berlin-based enterprise software provider Parloa automates customer service through the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) and declares war on endless hotline waiting loops with its natural-sounding and always-available AI voice application. The platform can handle thousands of natural customer conversations and chats simultaneously, and resolve queries such as authenticating callers, processing orders or changing customer information on its own. As a result, call center employees are relieved of workload and can focus on complex and advice-intensive matters. As an official Microsoft partner, Parloa works closely with Microsoft and runs on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. The platform combines a variety of different AI components. These include proprietary AI models as well as Large Language Models such as Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) via the Azure OpenAI service. This allows companies to easily customize their experience to their company-specific knowledge and needs. Lead investor EQT Ventures, one of the leading startup financiers, invests together with existing investors Newion and Senovo as well as various German Unicorn founders and business angels (Erik Muttersbach and Michael Wax (Forto), Hanno Renner (Personio) and Nicolas Peters (Signavio), Jens Bormann (Muuuh! Group), professional soccer player Mario Götze).Parloa is investing the fresh capital in accelerating its international expansion and extending its technological lead. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has already been able to accompany the company in the context of the previous financing round 2022 and furthermore supports Parloa on an ongoing basis in terms of corporate law and on the operational business. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, László Molnar, Maximilian Frink, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital)

21.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises DeepDrive on € 15 million Series A financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised electric motor startup DeepDrive on its €15 million Series A financing round.

Founded in 2021, Munich-based DeepDrive has developed a radial flux dual rotor motor including power electronics that can be installed in production vehicles as a central drive as well as wheel hub drive. The patented technology has a higher torque and power density compared to other drive technologies and thus enables up to 20 percent greater range compared to other drives, or requires 20 percent smaller batteries for the same range. In addition, the motor requires less rare earths in production for the same power output - another step toward making e-mobility more attractive and cost-effective. In addition to BMW i Ventures and Continental's Corporate Venture Capital Unit, existing investors UVC Partners and Bayern Kapital participated in the round with the Wachstumsfonds Bayern and Dr. Peter Mertens (former Audi development board member). DeepDrive will use the fresh capital to start industrial production of the engines and to grow further in terms of personnel. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups such as DeepDrive on financing rounds. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink (all Venture Capital)

16.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises TX Ventures on Series A financing round of Cashlink

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised TX Ventures on the mid-seven-figure Series A financing round of Cashlink.

FinTech company Cashlink provides the leading asset tokenization infrastructure, enabling fully digital issuance of securities through the use of blockchain technology. Cashlink is one of the first companies to receive preliminary permission to register crypto securities from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), enabling it to cover all necessary regulatory requirements. In addition to lead investor TX Ventures, Futury Capital, Beteiligungs-Managementgesellschaft Hessen, several business angels and existing investors including C3 Venture Capital, seed + speed, Panta Rhei and DEWB participated in the financing round. With the fresh capital, Cashlink intends to strengthen its growth trajectory and, in particular, expand its product offering with regard to the registration of crypto securities. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds both on the side of investors and on the side of the company. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has again advised TX Ventures on a financing round - most recently on its investment in FinTech Tidely. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr Patrick Auerbach, Daniel Schlichting, Dr Jan Böhle, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital)

13.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on $3.5 million financing round of Greenlyte

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird-X on the $3.5 million pre-seed financing round of Greenlyte Carbon Technologies.
The Essen-based CleanTech startup Greenlyte was founded in 2022 by Florian Hildebrand, Dr. Niklas Friedrichsen and Dr. Peter Behr and is developing a particularly energy-saving process in which CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere, converted into green hydrocarbon and ultimately reused as fuel.

In addition to lead investor Earlybird, Green Generation Fund, Carbon Removal Partners and several business angels, including the co-founder of 1Komma5°, Philipp Schröder, also participated.With the fresh capital, the Greenlyte team plans to build a pilot plant this year, with the goal of proving the favorable energy balance and starting with a pilot industrial customer next year.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments (most recently on eleQtron's € 50 million financing round) and was able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink (both Venture Capital)

10.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises TX Ventures on € 3.5 million seed financing round of tidely

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised TX Ventures on the € 3.5 million seed financing round of fintech tidely.
tidely was founded in 2018 by Niclas Storz and Dr. Jörg Haller with the aim to modernize and simplify the traditional financial management of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

tidely offers a range of financial solutions with its digital platform, including liquidity planning, cash flow analysis or cost management. With intelligent and easy-to-use software, the startup creates transparency about the financial situation and supports optimization.

In addition to lead investor TX Ventures, Bayernkapital and existing investors are also participating in the round. Furthermore, tidely announces a strategic partnership with Banxware. The company will invest the fresh capital primarily in product development, internationalization and the expansion of marketing and sales channels as well as the team.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds both on the side of investors and on the side of the company. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team advised TX Ventures for the first time in this financing round.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Maximilian Frink, Dr. Jan Böhle, Catharina Schmidt, László Molnár (all Venture Capital)

02.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Edurino on € 10.5 million Series A financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised EdTech startup Edurino on their €10.5 million Series A financing round.

Founded in 2021 by Franziska Meyer and Irene Klemm, Edurino's mission is to provide children with a safe introduction to digital learning through the magic of games. Parents and educators are given the right tools to support children's development. In the long term, Edurino as a personalized learning platform wants to support children as they grow up in the 21st century . After only one year on the market, more than 100,000 products have been sold to families and the hybrid learning concept for digital preschool lessons is being used in over 160 educational institutions. In addition to lead investor DN Capital, Tengelmann Ventures, FJ Labs and existing investors btov, Jens Begemann and Emerge Education also participated in the round. With the fresh capital, Edurino aims to expand globally and further develop its product offering for preschool and elementary school children as well as features for parents and educators. In the long term, Edurino aims to become the world's first personalized e-learning platform for children, bridging the gap between families and educational institutions. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM has already advised Edurino in the context of the two previous financing rounds. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, László Molnar, Daniel Schlichting, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital)

01.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises doctorly on USD 10 million Series A financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based health tech startup doctorly in a USD 10 million Series A financing round.

With its practice management software for medical practices, the company offers a digital solution for the healthcare sector that reduces administrative work by half. With the help of the management tool, doctors and patients can be connected easily and intuitively, enabling care thanks to modern information exchange. In addition to WELL Health Technologies and Horizons Ventures (Facebook, Skype, Zoom), existing investors The Delta, Speedinvest, UNIQA Ventures, Calm/Storm and Seedcamp also participated in the round. Doctorly is the first VC-ﬁnanced company to receive all necessary approvals to distribute medical practice software in Germany. Doctorly plans to invest the fresh capital in growth in Germany and the development of new features for its practice software. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. Since its founding, the BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has provided doctorly with comprehensive advice on both the development of the operational business and financing rounds. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Jan Böhle, Sebastian Krieg (all Venture Capital)

01.03.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Secfix on € 3.5 million seed financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based cybersecurity startup Secfix in a €3.6 million oversubscribed seed funding round.

The round is led by Octopus Ventures with participation from Neosfer, which belongs to Commerzbank, and the founders of Signavio and Blair (YC S19), as well as existing investors and serial entrepreneurs and comes just a year after the company started with their security compliance and automation platform. Secfix is automating everything small and medium-sized businesses need to set up their IT security, meet the highest levels of compliance and get certified in the security standards they need to meet - ISO 27001, TISAX, GDPR and SOC 2. The funds raised in the seed round will be used to accelerate Secfix's expansion in Europe, boost product growth, and expand customer support, with a focus on expanding their tool integration offering and increasing the platform’s level of automation. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups on financing rounds. The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the founding team of Secfix for the first time. We are pleased to continue to accompany Secfix on its growth course after the financing round. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink (both Venture Capital)

23.02.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Schwarzwälder Bote on € 2.1 million financing round of eduBITES

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Redstone - Family Office Schwarzwälder Bote on the € 2.1 million seed financing round of Berlin-based EdTech startup eduBITES. The investment by Schwarzwälder Bote was made together with IBB Ventures, one of Berlin's leading early-stage investors.

EduBITES focuses primarily on corporate learning with its innovative artificial intelligence-based approach to knowledge discovery and transformation, leveraging existing corporate information to generate automated, easy-to-understand and multilingual learning experiences. Companies can solve pressing knowledge management problems such as off-boarding and onboarding, knowledge transfer from experienced employees to new talent, and retraining and up-skilling employees. In addition, eduBITES provides companies with their own customized digital corporate academies that incorporate and leverage the latest developments in content, technology, and didactics to create the best learning experiences and boost employee performance. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly accompanies the investments of the family office Schwarzwälder Bote with Redstone. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Jan Böhle, Daniel Schlichting (all Venture Capital)

17.02.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on management buy-out of Telluride Architektur

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the management of Telluride Architektur (formerly HDR Germany) on the management buy-out from the US architecture group HDR Inc.

Telluride Architektur is an international team of approximately 150 architects with over 60 years of experience. The company will remain in partnership with HDR Inc. but would like to concentrate on the European market in the future. From offices in Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich, the team designs, plans, builds and consults on innovative educational, working, research and healthcare environments for people and institutions throughout Europe.

Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly provides comprehensive advice on cross-border M&A transactions. The team is particularly mandated in complex matters such as carve-out transactions. The contact was established via a recommendation from the market.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Cornelius Fritzen, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Corporate/ M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Taxes)

15.02.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises GMC-Instruments on sale to KLAR Partners

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has comprehensively advised the founder and majority shareholder of the GMC Group, Dr. Hans-Peter Opitz, on the acquisition by funds advised by KLAR Partners.

GMC Group is a leading provider of essential electrical test and measurement solutions for testing and certifying the electrical safety of technical equipment, medical and industrial instruments, communications, transportation and energy infrastructures, and for optimizing power quality and energy consumption. The company, which markets its products through the renowned brands Gossen Metrawatt, Seaward, Camille Bauer, Dranetz and Rigel Medical, among others, has been a leader in electrical safety technology for more than 100 years. KLAR Partners is joining forces with Dr. Hans-Peter Opitz to accelerate the growth of GMC-Instruments, particularly in the high-growth renewable energy and electromobility segments. Dr. Opitz will retain a significant minority stake and continue to serve as managing director of the Group until a successor has been appointed as part of Dr. Opitz's planned succession. The acquisition of GMC-Instruments by KLAR is subject to regulatory approval. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has consulted MARCK (Dr. Reto Batzel) for antitrust and foreign trade law advice and Arvantage (Dr. Constanze Grosch) for employment law aspects. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly provides comprehensive advice on private equity transactions, both on the side of the PE investors during acquisitions as well as on the side of the company during sales. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben (lead), Boris Reschucha, Cornelius Fritzen (all Corporate / M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Finance), Jan Böhle (IP / IT), Sabrina Reimer (Corporate / M&A)

13.02.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises senken on $ 7.5 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised senken, an easy-to-use platform to access the largest selection of climate assets for transparent climate action and finance, on its $7.5 million financing round. In addition to lead investor Obvious Ventures, Offline Ventures, Inflection.xyz and Kraken Ventures, along with other existing investors including Climate Capital, also participated in this round.

senken aims to make it easier for companies and investors to support renewable climate projects by purchasing verified carbon credits. The platform offers the widest selection of climate assets (+20 million carbon credits) and ensures the quality and integrity of the projects by adding data layers containing project information (such as vintage, credit type, additionality), carbon ratings, pricing, and MRV data Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises not only investors but also aspiring startups during the founding phase and in later financing rounds. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff (Venture Capital), Dr Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

03.02.23

Recovery Cat brings impact investors on board

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Charite spin-off Recovery Cat in the seed financing round by IBB Ventures' Impact Funds, Springboard Health Angels and a family office from Heidelberg.

Recovery Cat is a spin-off of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Charité Berlin, which aims to support people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder with a digital platform for therapy planning and symptom measurement. So far, this patient group has hardly been the focus of digital care and is often even excluded from the offerings available so far, even though the need is huge: "Strongly effective medications are often prescribed, which frequently also have side effects. This can lead to patients discontinuing therapy after a few weeks, resulting in renewed crises and hospitalizations," says Alissa M. Rohrbach, co-founder and CEO, describing the problem. For patients, an appropriate combination and dosage of medication over a longer period of time is important and must be accompanied. The software is intended to provide both patients and treatment teams with data-based support, to better assess therapy progress and to react to crises at an early stage.

The fresh capital will be used to finalize certification as a medical product and to conclude the first contracts with health insurance companies and clinics. In addition, further clinical studies are planned.

Background:
In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups such as Recovery Cat during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Dr. Jan Böhle, Dr. Sebastian Krieg (all Venture Capital)

30.01.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on investments of € 248 million capiton Quantum fund in two high-tech companies

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised financial investor capiton in the context of the newly launched € 248 million fund "capiton Quantum" on the acquisition of shareholdings in the leading German high-tech companies Raith and AEMtec.

Both companies were originally acquired by the capiton V fund. Raith, a leading equipment manufacturer in the nanotechnology sector, has already been part of the capiton portfolio since 2016, while capiton invested in AEMtec, a full-service provider for state-of-the-art micro- and optoelectronic systems, in 2019. In addition to existing and new capiton investors, high-profile blue-chip secondary investors led by Eurazeo and Unigestion have also invested in capiton Quantum. capiton Quantum is providing additional capital to the two companies so that strong organic and inorganic growth can take place. During the existing ownership capitons, Raith and AEMtec have already expanded their capacities and advanced internationalization and technology expansion. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton for more than two decades on transactions and investments as well as regular leveraged buyouts and strategic acquisitions - with capiton Quantum now also for the first time in the context of a continuation fund project. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has previously advised on the acquisition of Raith by capiton V and has also been advising Raith and AEMtec on an ongoing basis. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauß (lead), Jan-Peter Heyer, Tina Schmidt, Julia Schwengers, Cornelius Fritzen, Sabrina Reimer (all Private Equity)

27.01.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SLAY on € 2.5 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based "compliments app" SLAY on the pre-seed financing round of 2.5 million euros.
The platform was founded in 2022 by Fabian Kamberi, Jannis Ringwald and Stefan Quernhorst for a young target group and aims to spread and reinforce a digital "wellbeing" through positive social media interactions.

When a teenager logs on to the app, Slay asks them twelve questions, which they answer by giving an anonymous compliment to another user. Those who answer the twelve questions also see the compliments they themselves have received. Just four days after the launch of the social app, SLAY had made it to the top of the iOS charts.
In addition to lead investor Accel and 20VC, several prominent business angels such as soccer player Mario Götze, musician Alex Pall (The Chainsmokers), Kevin Weil (Scribble Ventures) and Supercell co-founder Ilkka Paananen have also invested in the round.
With the fresh capital, the founders will further expand the product, scale up the app and make SLAY available in other countries.

Background:
In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups such as SLAY in financing rounds.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Catharina Schmidt, Sebastian Krieg, Maximilian Frink (all Venture Capital)

18.01.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM appoints two new Salary Partners

BMH BRÄUTIGAM appoints two new Salary Partners at the turn of the year: Till Wansleben (M&A | Private Equity) and Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax).

As an expert in complex and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, Till Wansleben has also built up extensive expertise in advising on exits of venture capital financed companies. He thus very successfully combines the firm's strengths in PE/M&A and VC consulting and has built up a diversified client base within only three years at the firm. He has particular industry expertise in software, IP and business services transactions and has been instrumental in expanding the firm's M&A business. With Dr. Sebastian Krieg, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has for the first time and very successfully added another area to the firm's advisory portfolio in 2019. He is an absolute expert in tax law - especially when it comes to complex restructurings as well as M&A and VC transactions - and acts as a true advisor to his clients. Under his leadership, BMH BRÄUTIGAM will further expand its tax team in the future. "With Till Wansleben and Dr. Sebastian Krieg, we have brought on board two professionally outstanding advisors, entrepreneurs and team players who, with their keen eye for the essentials, make a very decisive contribution to the firm's success," says BMH partner Dr. Alexander Wulff. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben (M&A | Private Equity), Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

12.01.23

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Habyt on merger with Common

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the world's largest co-living provider Habyt on its merger with the US market leader Common Living.

With the merger and now 30,000 units spread over 40 cities, 14 countries and 3 continents, Habyt becomes the global market leader in co-living. "The merger makes perfect sense for both companies - Habyt had no presence in North America and Common had none in Europe," says Luca Bovone, founder and CEO of Habyt. Both companies are looking back on a commercially successful 2022 and plan to double business in 2023. In the future, the merged company will be managed from Berlin by Habyt CEO Luca Bovone. Notable investors in the group include P101, Vorwerk Ventures, DI Capital Solutions, Sequoia and Mitsubishi. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM comprehensively accompanies Habyt on its rapid international expansion course, advising the co-living provider both on an ongoing basis in all corporate law matters, as well as on acquisitions (most recently on the takeover of Hmlet, Quarters and homefully) and financings (most recently with regard to the € 15 million venture loan from Viola Credit). Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Daniel Schlichting, Maximilian Frink, Jan Böhle, Jonas Kiehne, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (all Venture Capital / M&A), Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

08.11.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises consentmanager on sale to iubenda

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the shareholders of consentmanager on its merger with iubenda.

The Swedish company consentmanager specializes in software solutions for compliance with the GDPR and is one of the leading compliance solutions on the market with more than 25,000 customers worldwide. Iubenda offers multiple integrated solutions to meet organizations' compliance requirements across multiple languages and laws on websites and apps. Headquartered in Milan, the company has over 100 employees serving approximately 90,000 customers in over 100 countries. By merging consentmanager and iubenda under the umbrella of team.blue, a leading digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs across Europe, the group aims to further drive growth and international expansion in the e-compliance business and become a leading European provider of consent management and privacy compliance with around 100,000 customers in over 100 countries. The three founders Andrea Giannangelo (CEO, iubenda), Domenico Vele (CTO, iubenda) and Jan Winkler (CEO, Consent Manager) will continue to lead the company. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly provides comprehensive advice on cross-border transactions, in particular also in the technology sector. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, Bastian Reinschmidt, Sabrina Reimer (all Corporate/M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

27.10.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Balderton on $8.3 million funding round of Levity

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Balderton Capital on the $8.3 million seed funding round of AI startup Levity.

Founded in 2019 by Gero Keil (CEO) and Thilo Huellmann (CTO), no-code AI company Levity enables non-technical individuals to create custom AI-powered workflow automations through easy-to-use AI blocks and templates. In doing so, AI automation speeds up employees' manual processes and reduces time-consuming tasks. Here, unstructured data types such as images, texts or documents are read, evaluated and processed by the system so that, for example, an email with an attachment is labeled and forwarded and contained documents are assigned to the correct folders. In addition to lead investors Balderton Capital and Chalfen Ventures, Angular Ventures, System.One and renowned angels also participated in the financing round. The newly acquired capital will enable Levity to invest in the further expansion of its no-code AI platform as well as strengthen its team and brand. For aspects of US law, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has called in Gunderson Dettmer from its network. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds in an international context, both on the part of investors and the company. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has already advised Balderton previously, among others on the Clue financing round. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben, Daniel Schlichting (all Venture Capital)

13.09.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises parts of the management of the Hornetsecurity Group on TA’s growth investment

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised parts of the management of Hornetsecurity Group, a leading international SaaS provider of cloud security and compliance solutions, on its strategic growth investment of TA Associates (TA), a growth-oriented private equity firm. TA joins existing investors PSG Equity, a leading growth equity firm, and Verdane, a European investor specializing in growth capital.

Hornetsecurity provides software products that already protect more than two million users from cyber threats. Its product portfolio includes email cloud security, backup solutions, replication and recovery of emails, endpoints and virtual machines, as well as security awareness training. The company has grown to more than 400 employees in recent years through several strategic acquisitions, including IT-Seal GmbH, and serves companies in more than 30 countries. With the current investment, Hornetsecurity will primarily expand its product portfolio as well as drive its international expansion strategy by accelerating organic growth and further acquisitions. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has already advised IT-Seal and its management on the acquisition by Hornetsecurity. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, David Thüning (both Corporate/M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

26.08.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Julep Media shareholders on sale to Libsyn

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has provided comprehensive legal advice as lead counsel to the shareholders of German podcast hoster and marketer Julep Media GmbH on its sale to US-based podcast hosting network Liberated Syndication Inc (Libsyn).

Julep Media was founded in Munich in 2019 by Marcus Englert, Sebastian Weil, Björn Jopen and Manfred Neumann and is the only provider in Germany to offer marketing, production and distribution of podcasts from a single source. With a portfolio of more than 510 podcasts with over 50,000 episodes the company reaches over 45 million streams per month.
Libsyn was founded in 2004 and is one of the world's leading podcast marketing and hosting providers, with more than 75,000 podcasts and more than six billion downloads. With the acquisition of Julep Media, Libsyn starts its expansion course in Europe.
For aspects of US law, BMH BRÄUTIGAM called in Hughes Hubbard & Reed (Gerold Niggemann, New York) from its network. BLOMSTEIN advised on regulatory aspects of the transaction.

Background:
As a transaction boutique, BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly provides comprehensive advice on exits and acquisitions in a cross-border context.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Till Wansleben, David Thüning, Julia Schwengers, Sabrina Reimer (Corporate/M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

17.08.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Earlybird on € 1.6 Millionen Seed financing round of Matchory

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Ventures Capital's Uni-X team on a €1.6 million seed financing round of Matchory.

Matchory brings transparency to global supply chains and provides clients with a real-time automated supplier search for their strategic purchasing. Through the use of Big Data and state-of-the-art technology, supplier data is aggregated worldwide and compiled in a unique database.
With the fresh capital, the founders want to further develop their software-as-a-service solution for the automated supplier search and integrate additional data sources and functions.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments (most recently on the € 11 million Series A financing round of Remberg) and has been able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink, Dr. Lukas Hackmann (all Venture Capital)

25.05.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises IT-Seal on acquisition by Hornetsecurity

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the shareholders of IT-Seal GmbH on its exit to Hornetsecurity, the world's leading provider of email security and backup.

With IT-Seal, one of the most successful German cyber security startups, Hornetsecurity expands its portfolio with needs-based and metrics-based employee training in the area of security awareness. With a clear focus on the human factor, IT-Seal pursues the goal of a sustainable security culture and makes IT security awareness measurable and thus comparable by means of scientific security awareness metrics. Founded in 2016, the technology company analyzes human IT security behavior and trains on a metrics-based and demand-driven basis with intelligent, automated learning paths. More than 800 customers rely on the award-winning technology, including Deutsche Bundesbank, BMW and FC Bayern München.

Hornetsecurity, a portfolio company of private equity investor Verdane, has grown to more than 400 employees in 10 locations and an international network of more than 5,000 sales partners in recent years through several strategic acquisitions and counts more than 50,000 companies worldwide, including Swisscom, Telefónica, KONICA MINOLTA, LVM Versicherungen or CLAAS, among its customers.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly provides comprehensive advice on exits and acquisitions of VC-financed companies, in particular also by and from private equity portfolio companies. Our team has special expertise in advising on the interface between VC and M&A.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Till Wansleben (Corporate/M&A), Bastian Reinschmidt, Catharina Schmidt (Venture Capital), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Steuern)

17.05.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Testberichte.de on the acquisition of CodeCheck

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the comparison portal Testberichte.de on the acquisition of the CodeCheck app.

Testberichte.de was founded in 2000 and is Germany's largest independent comparison portal for smart buying decisions. The portal bundles test results on products such as cameras or smartphones from 500 German-language magazines and online reviews and makes them available in an easy-to-understand format. CodeCheck is the most popular app for sustainable consumption in Germany. Buyers of cosmetics and food enter the product name or scan the barcode to find out which ingredients are contained and how they affect health and the environment. With the acquisition of CodeCheck, Testberichte.de is expanding its offering perfectly and, in addition to quality-conscious consumers, is now also increasingly targeting a group interested in healthy and sustainable products. In the future, the user experience is to be decisively improved both through the further development of the app and the expansion of the classic website. Background: The contact to Testberichte.de came about via recommendation from the market. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team regularly provides comprehensive advice on domestic and cross-border transactions in the digital environment. Our team has special expertise and market experience in advising companies and transactions in the digital environment. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen (both Venture Capital / M&A)

12.05.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Parloa on € 4 million seed financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Parloa, a leading conversational AI platform for omni-channel customer service automation, in a € 4 million seed financing round.

The round saw participation from renowned institutional venture capitalists Newion and Senovo, as well as renowned business angels and (Unicorn) founders. The Berlin-based company was founded in 2017 by Malte Kosub and Stefan Ostwald with the goal of reshaping the future of customer communication. Parloa's software combines automatic speech recognition and natural language understanding, enabling companies to create automated dialogs for phone, chat, voice assistants and messengers. Parloa's AI can be easily and quickly integrated into a given customer service experience, is capable of understanding the same set of words and contexts as a call center agent, and allows companies to train the technology in the company's specific vocabulary. Companies such as Ergo, SwissLife, Decathlon, Admiral Direkt, HSE and Deutsche Rote Kreuz already rely on Parloa. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises not only investors but also aspiring startups during the founding phase and in later financing rounds. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising Parloa on an ongoing basis and in terms of corporate law and is looking forward to continuing to comprehensively accompany the founding team on its growth course in the future. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Jonas Kiehne, Catharina Schmidt (all Venture Capital)

28.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Apryl on € 4.1 million seed financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Europe´s first fertility and family forming benefits platform Apryl in a € 4.1 million seed funding round.

The round is led by Breega. In addition, Atlantic Labs (lead investor in the pre seed round), Crista Galli Ventures, Myelin VC, Alliance For Impact Ventures (a Ventech fund) and Westtech Ventures also participated in the financing round to help fuel Apryl’s next phase of growth. Apryl (formerly known as Oviavo) is a Berlin-based fertility and family forming benefits platform founded in 2019 by Jenny Saft and Tobias Kaufhold. Since people are now having children much later in life and fertility rates are continuing to decline with age, Apryl believes that in the long run, a large percentage of the professional population will need support with reproductive treatments. With their platform, the two founders want to enable companies to support employees on their path to become parents in a secure and confidential manner. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. After the financing round, we look forward to continuing to accompany Apryl on its growth course. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Lisa-Marie Sarucco (both Venture Capital)

27.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Habyt on € 15 million venture loan from Viola Credit

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Europe's leading co-living provider Habyt on its merger with competitor Hmlet, including a €15 million venture debt financing from Israeli debt fund Viola Credit.

Following its recent merger with Hmlet, the largest co-living company in the Asia-Pacific region, Habyt now has over 8,000 units in 10 countries and 20 cities, making it the world's largest co-living provider. With the venture loan, Habyt aims to drive forward its growth target of 20,000 units by the end of 2022 or 30,000 co-living units by the end of 2023, as well as further internationalization. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM comprehensively accompanies Habyt on its rapid international expansion course, advising the co-living provider both on an ongoing basis in all corporate law matters, as well as on acquisitions (most recently on the takeover of Hmlet, Quarters and homefully) and financing. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Maximilian Frink (all Venture Capital / M&A)

21.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Wundex Group on acquisition of ELLIPSA

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Wundex Group, a portfolio company of the private equity investor capiton, on the acquisition of the wound care specialist ELLIPSA.

The Wundex Group is a leading wound care provider in Germany and offers modern software solutions for wound documentation as well as effective purchasing and logistics concepts for outpatient care as well as for senior and nursing care facilities, clinics and medical practices. As a medical retailer, ELLIPSA specializes in the outpatient care of chronic wounds and has also developed its own digital education and training platform, which, among other things, facilitates the exchange of knowledge between wound care experts. The acquisition of ELLIPSA, with locations in Regensburg and Munich, is an important milestone in the ongoing expansion of the Wundex Group. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising Wundex since its acquisition by capiton in March 2021. BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises private equity investors such as capiton on leveraged buyouts - including the acquisition of Wundex - as well as their portfolio companies on strategic acquisitions. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, David Thüning, Sabrina Reimer (all Private Equity | Corporate/M&A)

19.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on the sale of Prefere Resins

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised on the sale of the Prefere Resins Group by Silverfleet Capital to One Rock Capital Partners.

Prefere Resins is a leading European producer of phenolic, specialty urea and melamine resins, as well as high-value derivatives of methanol (C1) chemistry, serving high-growth sub-sectors in construction, insulation, coatings and various industrial applications. Headquartered in Erkner, Germany, the company operates a number of high-quality manufacturing and R&D facilities in Europe and North America and employs more than 600 people. In recent years, the company has continued to develop and establish itself as an innovation leader with an environmentally friendly product portfolio by investing in new capacity, broadening its product portfolio and expanding globally through the acquisition of INEOS Enterprises' Melamines & Paraform business. The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising the Prefere Resins Group since its acquisition by capiton in 2014 and has also advised in connection with the entry of Silverfleet. BMH BRÄUTIGAM (Corporate Legal) advised on the transaction together with Sidley Austin LLP (Lead; Corporate Legal) and Shearman & Sterling (Banking Legal). Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Tina Schmidt, David Thüning (Private Equity | Corporate/M&A), Katja Walkhoff (Real Estate | Transactions)

12.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Habyt on merger with Hmlet

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Europe's leading co-living provider Habyt on its merger with Hmlet, the largest co-living company in the Asia-Pacific region.

Berlin-based Habyt, founded in 2017 by Luca Bovone (Forbes 30 under 30), now has over 8,000 units in 10 countries and 20 cities following its recent merger with Hmlet. After a five-fold increase in growth in 2021, Habyt expects to triple growth in 2022, both organically and through further M&A. The stated goal is to grow to 20,000 residential units by the end of 2022 and 30,000 by the end of 2023, revolutionizing the way people live and work around the world. Following the merger, Habyt has raised a total of more than 50 million US dollars in capital from leading VC investors including Burda Principal Investments, Sequoia Capital, HV Capital, P101, Picus Capital and Vorwerk Ventures. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to be advising Habyt repeatedly on an acquisition on its rapid international expansion path (most recently on the acquisition of Quarters and homefully) as well as on financings. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Maximilian Frink, Daniel Schlichting (all Venture Capital / M&A), Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

11.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on the acquisition of Vitector

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised CEDES, a portfolio company of capiton, on the acquisition of VITECTOR.

The CEDES Group is a global leader in sensor technology, providing innovative solutions for elevators, escalators, industrial doors and warehouse management systems in over 60 countries. With the acquisition of FRABA's VITECTOR portfolio, which includes products such as optical safety edges, reflective photo eyes, airwave switches, door switches and door accessories, CEDES ideally complements its portfolio, strengthens its know-how in the field of industrial doors and creates an excellent basis for the development of innovative solutions. Furthermore, the acquisition secures CEDES a leading position in the market for industrial door sensors. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising CEDES since its acquisition by capiton in September 2020. BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises capiton on leveraged buyouts - including the acquisition of CEDES - as well as its portfolio companies on strategic acquisitions. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, David Thüning, Jan-Peter Heyer, Sabrina Reimer (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

11.04.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Productsup shareholder DLT on $ 70 million investment

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised DLT, shareholder of leading Berlin-based P2C software company Productsup, on a $70 million investment. Behind DLT, the shareholder advised by BMH BRÄUTIGAM, are Productsup founders Johannis Hatt, Marcel Hollerbach and Kai Seefeldt.

The investment, in which investors around Nordwind Capital also participated, is led by Bregal Milestone, a leading European technology growth capital investor. Productsup's product-to-consumer (P2C) platform enables companies to tell a consistent product story across more than 2,500 marketing and sales channels and engage more customers. Already, more than 900 brands, retailers, marketplaces and service providers are successfully partnering with Productsup and benefiting from complete data visibility and control across the entire product information value chain. The fresh capital will be used to further both product development and global expansion. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly provides comprehensive advice on transactions in the digital environment. Our team has particular expertise in advising on the interface between VC and M&A. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben (Corporate/M&A), Dr. Alexander Wulff (Venture Capital)

14.03.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton on the acquisition of the Asyril Group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the financial investor capiton on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Asyril Group from the Nivalis Group, headquartered in Switzerland.

Asyril, headquartered in Switzerland with subsidiaries in the US and Japan, is a market and technology leader in flexible part feeding systems. Asyril Group products are used in assembly lines around the world, facilitating process automation in a wide range of industries. Asyril is very well positioned to benefit from the strong market growth of assembly automation and the increasing demand for flexible feeders. Together with the management team, capiton plans to grow the Group organically by leveraging the significant potential of its innovative product portfolio and further expanding its international presence. Acquisitions to expand the product range are also being considered. The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. BMH BRÄUTIGAM provided comprehensive legal advice to capiton on the acquisition and the future structure of the group. For aspects of local law, MLL Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Froriep AG was involved for Switzerland, Sonderhoff & Einzel for Japan and Wuersch Gering for the USA. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton on transactions for more than two decades, most recently on its entry into the Betonbau Group and the acquisitions of Wundex and the Stürtz Group. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, Tina Schmidt (both leading; Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Finance)

10.03.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Forto on $250 million series D financing round with Disruptive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is advising Forto, a leading provider of digitized freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, on a $250 million Series D financing round with lead investor Disruptive.

The current financing round brings the total investment in Forto to over $600 million US dollars. Having only risen to Unicorn status in June 2021 with the previous financing round, the company's valuation now rises to $2.1 billion US dollars. In addition to new investor Disruptive, existing investors including Softbank Vision Fund 2, G Squared, Northzone, Unbound and A.P. Moeller Holding also participated in the round. Forto was founded in Berlin in 2016 with a vision to create a highly transparent and sustainable digital supply chain and has grown steadily and rapidly since then. The company uses its digital platform to simplify interactions, remove friction from processes, and increase transparency throughout the whole supply chain, making global trade not only easier, but also safer and more sustainable. In total, Forto currently employs more than 750 people across 16 locations in Europe and Asia and counts leading manufacturers and e-commerce brands among its 2,500 customers. The latest investment is intended to accelerate international growth and the expansion of its product offering. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM's team has already advised Forto during its two previous financing rounds in September 2020 and June 2021. The Berlin-based unicorn is currently one of the top 20 freight forwarders for trade between Asia and Europe as well as one of the top10 startups in Germany, leading a new generation of logistics companies. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach (Lead), Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Maximilian Frink, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

17.02.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises UVC Partners on € 4.3 million financing round of Deepdrive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised early stage investor UVC Partners on the € 4.3 million financing round of Munich-based e-mobility startup Deepdrive.

In addition to UVC Partners, Bayern Kapital with the Wachstumsfonds Bayern and the experienced business angels Jonas Rieke (COO Personio) and Peter Mertens (former Chief Development Officer of Audi and Volvo) also participated in the round. Deepdrive, founded in 2021 by Stefan Ender and Felix Poernbacher, is developing a gearless, electric wheel hub drive whose compact, lightweight design allows the drive to be integrated into the wheel. With this cost-efficient, scalable and, above all, range- and torque-strong plug-and-play platform, Deepdrive wants to revolutionize the automotive industry and give car manufacturers new freedom in structure and design. The fresh capital will be invested primarily in optimizing the technology, expanding the team and serving the immensely high demand for prototypes in the market. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds on the part of both investors and the company. The contact to UVC Partners was established through the advising of the Earlybird investment in Aleph Alpha, in which UVC Partners also participated. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink (both Venture Capital)

16.02.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Edurino on € 3.35 million seed financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Munich-based EdTech startup Edurino, which offers a hybrid learning system consisting of learning app and haptic play figures for children, in a €3.35 million seed funding round.

The round is led by btov Partners. In addition, other experienced investors and business angels (including Emerge Education, Fabian and Ferry Heilemann (Pirate Impact), Verena Pausder (Fox & Sheep and HABA Digital), Ben Drury (Yoto), Christian Felgenhauer and Maurice Khudhir (StudySmarter)) and all existing investors (including Jens Begemann (Wooga)) participated in the financing round. Edurino was founded in 2021 by two former management consultants, Irene Klemm and Franziska Meyer, with the goal of teaching responsible digital literacy to preschool children via a hybrid digital learning concept. Using the first learning app and any mobile device, children are given a hybrid approach to reading and writing by means of an ergonomic pen and real figures. With the fresh capital, further figures and thus further learning areas are to be launched this year and Edurino is to be developed into a holistic learning system for preschool children. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. After the financing round, we look forward to continuing to accompany Edurino on its growth course. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Daniel Schlichting (both Venture Capital)

11.02.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Stürtz Group on acquisition of Stuga Machinery

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Stürtz Group, a portfolio company of capiton, on the acquisition of Stuga Machinery.

The Stürtz Group is a leading developer, manufacturer and global marketer of automated solutions for window production with over 35 years of industry experience. The acquisition of Stuga Machinery Limited, a market-leading manufacturer of PVC sawing and machining centers for the window and door industry in the UK and Ireland, is the first acquisition by the Stürtz Group since its acquisition by capiton in 2021. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has already advised capiton on the acquisition of the Stürtz Group. BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises capiton on leveraged buyouts and strategic acquisitions. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauss, Tina Schmidt (both lead), David Thüning (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

09.02.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 11 million Series A financing round of Remberg

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the € 11 million Series A financing round of Munich-based software startup Remberg.

In addition to lead investor Earlybird, previous investors Speedinvest and Fly Ventures are also investing. With the current financing round, a total of five unicorn founders, including Personio founders Hanno Renner and Roman Schumacher, Forto founder Michael Wax, UiPath founder Daniel Dines as well as Celonis co-founder Bastian Nominacher, are now also part of the software company's investor base. Remberg wants to help medium-sized mechanical engineering companies with digitization and has developed a type of CRM software for the increasingly important after-sales service, which records the inventory of machines, equipment and vehicles as well as service appointments and spare parts orders. Currently, the company already manages nearly half a million machines and assets with its platform. With the fresh capital, the founding team (David Hahn, Julian Madrzak, Hagen Schmidtchen, Cecil Wöbker) will now further develop the technology and drive the expansion of sales. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments, most recently on its investment in logistics startups Droiddrive and Hive as well as, among others, on the Series D financing round of Unicorn sennder and the previous merger with Everoad. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Daniel Schlichting (both Venture Capital)

28.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 30 million financing round of MAYD

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the €30 million Series A financing round of Berlin-based startup MAYD.

The round, which also includes existing investors Earlybird, 468 Capital and Target Global, is led by new investor Lightspeed Venture Partners. Since October 2021, MAYD has already raised a total of €43 million and has become the leading online delivery service for pharmacy products. Founded in April 2021 by McMakler founders Hanno Heintzenberg and Lukas Pieczonka, the Berlin-based company now offers a 30-minute delivery service for over-the-counter pharmacy products in six German cities (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf and Cologne) via the MAYD app. With the planned introduction of the e-prescription in 2022, the service will also be available for prescription drugs in the future. The company will use the fresh capital to continue its expansion in Germany and Europe. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments, most recently on its investment in the software startup Remberg, the logistics startups Droiddrive and Hive and, among others, in the previous seed financing round of MAYD. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Daniel Schlichting, Dr. Sebastian Krieg, Jonas Kiehne (Venture Capital)

28.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Superchat on $15.6 million Series A Financing Round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Superchat on its $15.6 million Series A financing round.
In addition to lead investor Blossom Capital, existing investor 468 Capital also participated in the round.

This brings the company's total raised in just under a year to $18.8 million, which will be used primarily for the expansion of the team, as well as for the expansion and further development of features and integrations with existing CRM and workflow tools.
Founded in the summer of 2020 by Yilmaz Köknar and Mika Hally, the company has developed an all-in-one messaging platform that makes small and medium-sized businesses' customer communications as easy as chatting with friends and family. Superchat collects and bundles conversations from a wide variety of channels - WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Google Business, Telegram, web chat, email and SMS - into a single, easy-to-use inbox, enabling companies to optimize their customer communications in the long term. To date, the platform has processed more than half a million messages from hundreds of customers across 30 industries in Germany alone, helping companies using Superchat to improve their revenue and sales figures, customer loyalty, Google rankings and response rates.
In the future, the platform will not only bundle all communications, but will also be able to manage orders, invoices, payments and ratings.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has already advised Superchat during the seed financing round in early 2021 and is pleased to further deepen and strengthen the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr Patrick Auerbach, Till Wansleben, Edzard Rothen (all Venture Capital)

25.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Audience Serv on acquisition of Emailbidding

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the direct marketing specialist Audience Serv on the acquisition of Emailbidding.
An international specialist in new customer acquisition and lead generation with offices in Berlin, Munich, Barcelona, Porto, Singapore and Hanoi, Audience Serv continues its international expansion with the acquisition of Emailbidding, an email marketing marketplace based in Porto.

Founded in 2008 by David Pikart, Audience Serv executes targeted online campaigns across multiple marketing channels using machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to meet and exceed its clients' expectations for revenue, brand awareness and lead generation.
Both Audience Serv and Emailbidding, a web-based self-service platform founded in 2012, are committed to making B2C new customer acquisition via email as easy and effective as possible, and together are continuing to revolutionize email marketing.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has now been advising the group comprehensively on all legal matters since 2017 (including already on the acquisition of competitor Karma Response) and is pleased to be able to further deepen the client relationship with Audience Serv.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Daniel Schlichting (both Venture Capital)

21.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the shareholders of HTG on entry into RSM

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the shareholders of HTG on their entry into the RSM group.
Since beginning 2022 HTG, a Berlin and Halle based renowned auditing and tax consultancy firm specialized inter alia in the fields of insolvency and restructuring and international tax law, is part of RSM Deutschland and strengthens, in particular, the RSM Berlin office.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has adviced the shareholders of HTG comprehensively on the sale of shares in HTG and the details of the cooperation with the partners at RSM Deutschland. RSM is one of the Top 10 largest accounting firms in Europe. The entry of HTG into RSM Deutschland provides both sides with extraordinary development perspectives.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising the also Berlin-based HTG partners throughout the intensive cooperation and sales negotiations.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauß, David Thüning (both Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

21.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Contus Holding

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Contus Holding in its Buy & Build strategy on the acquisition of B+M Service.
Contus Holding is a private-equity-backed investment company in the field of building-related services and craftmanship in the DACH region.

By way of acquisition of B+M Service which is active in the field of electrical installations the buy & build was pursued further using the advice of BMH BRÄUTIGAM. Together with the management team Contus is planning to excellerate the business and to prolong the growth strategy.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising Berlin-based Contus Holding for the first time. The contact was established directly by Contus Holding.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauß, David Thüning (both Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

19.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Blackstone/OFFICEFIRST on the leasing of X8.Berlin

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is providing comprehensive advice to Blackstone/OFFICEFIRST on the leasing and restructuring of X8.Berlin in Kreuzberg, formerly known as the Axel Springer Passage.

Owner Blackstone and asset manager OFFICEFIRST are investing a three-digit million sum in the restructuring and modernization of the arcade space, which was originally open to the public and predominantly used for retail. In total, more than 61,000 m² of flexible office space is being created in the building, which opened in 2004. Around 18,000 m² of office space has already been leased to the Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben (BImA) on a long-term basis in 2020. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has already been comprehensively advising Blackstone/OFFICEFIRST on the leasing of numerous commercial properties of the Blackstone Group in Germany (including in Berlin, Hamburg and Hanover) since the beginning of 2020. We are pleased to be able to further expand and deepen the relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Boris Reschucha, Katja Walkhoff, Alexander Nast (all Real Estate / M&A)

18.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM appoints new salary partner

We are very pleased and proud to bring Dr Annette Schwab (litigation in corporate, contract and competition law) on board as Salary Partner at the turn of the year and after only four years at BMH BRÄUTIGAM.

Annette Schwab is an expert in complex and large-volume corporate litigation and has built a reputation as an excellent litigator over the past years. "She is a litigator through and through: argumentative, quick-witted, tactically astute - and all at the highest legal level," says BMH partner Alexander Wulff. Annette Schwab advises established companies and startups alike and has built up a diversified client base in a very short time.

17.01.22

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on merger of Altitude with Paul Sydow Media

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has provided comprehensive advice on the merger of Berlin-based digital marketing agency Altitude with Paul Sydow Media, the production company of Instagram influencer Paul Sydow.

Behind this decision for both sides is the conviction that marketing is particularly successful when brand activation and performance marketing are not conceived and budgeted separately from each other, but rather continue to merge. The merger between videographer and creative conceptualizer Paul Sydow and Altitude will allow the new entity to create advertising materials on par with professional brand campaigns, designed for performance marketing while being produced as quickly and cost-effectively as is typical for influencers. Altitude serves digital native brands such as DrSmile, Chronext, ToolTime, BlueCode, or Tier Mobility. Paul Sydow is known for his work as a cameraman for Youtuber Felix von der Laden and has produced various brand campaigns for clients such as Congstar, Samsung, Hewlett Packard, and Huawei. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team regularly provides comprehensive advice on corporate law issues and transactions, especially in the digital environment. In addition to corporate law advice, the team also advised on tax law issues. The contact came about through a recommendation from the market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to continue providing legal support to the combined entity in the future. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben (Corporate / M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

21.12.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises MERSOR on six-figure financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based MERSOR, an online marketplace for curated, stylish and sustainable gifts, in a high six-figure seed financing round.

The round is led by early-stage investor IBB Ventures together with European investor network Faraday Venture Partners. In addition, several business angels with extensive industry knowledge have participated. Founded by Stella Maria Sorg and Lisa Kristina Meißner, the company initially launched in 2017 as a brand for personalized leather accessories. At the end of 2020, the online store followed as a marketplace for unusual gift ideas and high-quality gift sets. The vision of the founders is to become the first point of contact for people looking for inspiration for the perfect gift. The product range currently includes over 800 products in 18 different categories. In addition to the own brand MERSOR Studio, both large traditional companies and young labels are represented. When selecting partners, the founding team places great importance on quality, design, sustainability and female empowerment. With the fresh capital, the founders want to push ahead with the technical development of the platform and the successful expansion of the marketplace model. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. After the financing round, we look forward to continuing to accompany MERSOR on its growth course. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Amelie Wagner (both Venture Capital)

20.12.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON ENTRY INTO BETONBAU GROUP

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised financial investor capiton, on the acquisition of a majority stake in Betonbau Group from Schwenk-Group.

Betonbau is the largest German player in the attractive niche markets of turnkey technical stations such as transformer stations for power grids, charging infrastructure for e-mobility and point of presence/ POP stations for telecommunication networks. The group employs a total of 900 FTEs across four sites in Germany and one site in the Czech Republic, manufacturing its products for more than 1,000 public and private customers. Both founders will retain a significant shareholding and will continue to run the day-to-day operations of the company as managing directors. capiton and management plan to grow the business organically as well as through acquisitions of smaller players in this fragmented market. The transaction is still subject to the usual market reservations.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton AG on the acquisition and sale of companies for more than 20 years, most recently on the acquisition of Stürtz Group, Stütz Group, Wundex Group and Cedes Group.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Tina Schmidt, Till Wansleben, David Thüning, Jan-Peter Heyer (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Management Participation ǀ Merger Control)

17.12.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises EVP on merger with Vitafy

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Euro Vital Pharma Group (EVP), a portfolio company of a fund managed by capiton AG, on the merger with Vitafy Brands.

Following the acquisitions of Principle Healthcare (November 2020) and Group Korott (June 2021), the combination of EVP Group and Vitafy forms an important step into expanding EVP’s channel and own brand access. Together with Vitafy, EVP Group manifests its positioning as a leading player in the European consumer healthcare market and an ideal platform to further grow organically and through acquisitions. In addition, Vitafy will benefit from EVP’s European retail access and own production capacities, offering significant cross-selling and insourcing potentials. Vitafy’s and EVP’s experienced management teams will jointly leverage the new Group as Europe’s leading vertically integrated, multi-channel player in the consumer healthcare sector. Founded in Munich (2014), Vitafy Brands has grown to be a leading consumer health D2C online platform for its own brands focusing on the development and offering of functional Consumer Health OTC products for health focused customers. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton AG on the acquisition of EVP and, since that date, the EVP Group, among others, on the acquisition of Principle Healthcare and Group Korott. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Till Wansleben, Tina Schmidt, Jan-Peter Heyer, David Thüning (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Management Participation ǀ Merger Control)

17.12.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Balderton on € 16 million financing round of Clue

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Balderton Capital in the financing round of the Berlin-based femtech company Clue in the amount of €16 million. In addition to lead investor Balderton, Future Positive Capital also participated in the financing round as a new investor.

Clue is a leading femtech company that aims to change the way people around the world deal with issues such as menstruation, contraception and fertility with its cycle and fertility app by combining science and technology. With Clue Birth Control, the company has developed a technology-enabled, easy-to-use, side-effect-free, hormone-free, and evidence-based contraceptive method that will serve the global need for easily accessible and, first and foremost, reliable contraception in the future beyond the U.S. market. The company will use the fresh capital to expand the Berlin team and invest in new product development. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on financing rounds on both the investor and company sides. Balderton was represented by BMH BRÄUTIGAM after a recommendation from its network. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Till Wansleben, Maximilian Frink (all Venture Capital)

15.12.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises COMGY on € 15 million Series B financing round of Discovergy

Directly following COMGY's €25 million Series B financing round, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised COMGY on the €15 million Series B financing round of smart metering full-service provider Discovergy . Digital metering startup COMGY joins Discovergy as lead investor.

Together, the two innovation drivers COMGY and Discovergy want to leverage new efficiency potential in the building sector by integrating metering and submetering, thereby accelerating the energy revolution. With a 360-degree offering that provides everything from a single source - from metering procurement and installation to metering point operation, data management and billing to real-time visualization of consumption data - the two partners are already achieving savings of at least 30 percent across all consumption sources in buildings in pilot projects. Start-up costs are quickly amortized, and climate protection is supported. The platform is flexibly available as a white-label solution (SaaS) for third parties (real estate and energy industry, metering service providers). COMGY was founded in 2017 by Ruben Haas, Lukas Krauter and Simon Stürtz as a provider of smart metering services and now manages over 60,000 residential and commercial units in Germany and the EU with 60 employees. As a leading full-service provider of smart metering solutions, Discovergy has been making a sustainable contribution to the success of the energy revolution with its products and services since 2009 and counts municipal utilities, energy suppliers and network operators as well as mobile network providers among its customers, in addition to energy consumers. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising COMGY on an ongoing basis, most recently as part of the €25 million Series B financing round in November of this year. The contact with the company came about through the advice of SIGNA Innovations as lead investor in the Series A financing round. We are pleased to be able to further expand and strengthen our client relationship with COMGY. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Bastian Reinschmidt, Maximilian Frink (all Venture Capital)

08.12.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises new Earlybird fund UNI-X on million-euro financing round of Droiddrive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird UNI-X on the multi-million financing round of the Aachen-based logistics start-up Droiddrive. In addition to the new lead investor Earlybird, all existing investors (Innoenergy, the offshoot of the EU-funded European Institute for Innovation and Technology, the Mainz-based eco-fund Wi Venture, NRW.Bank and Be10x Capital) are also participating in the financing round.

Earlybird's new 75 million euro UNI-X fund particularly focuses on early-stage startups and technical spin-offs from universities. The team of six in total is made up of experienced tech investors Frédéric du Bois-Reymond, Stephan Rauscher, Michael Schmitt, Johannes Triebs (all formerly P5 Capital), Michael Hoeck and Philipp Semmer (both formerly Motu Ventures). Droiddrive, which emerged from the technical university RWTH Aachen in late 2018 and in which Earlybird UNI-X invested, focuses on automated cargo trailers for delivery services. The cargo vehicles (Ducktrains) can be coupled to bicycles, tricycles and other electric-powered cargo bikes such as Citkar's or Ono's - without a driver's license and up to five vehicles of 300 kilogram payload each behind each other. The customer group includes parcel delivery services, grocery retailers and urban haulers who deliver Ikea items, for example. With the fresh capital, further prototypes and the first "Follow-Me" vehicle are to follow. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM's team has been advising Earlybird on investments on an ongoing basis, most recently on its investment in Berlin-based startup MAYD, AI startup Aleph Alpha and, among others, on Unicorn sennder's Series D financing round and its previous merger with Everoad. By advising the new fund UNI-X, we were able to further expand and strengthen our relationship with Earlybird and are looking forward to further exciting investments. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink, Daniel Schlichting (all Venture Capital)

25.11.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Kombuchery on seven-figure financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based startup Kombuchery on a seven-figure financing round with several international investors.

Founder Maximilian Seedorf went to market with his healthier soda alternative, developed on the basis of a tea drink known for millennia, in early 2020 and thus just before the start of the Corona pandemic. Focusing on a multichannel distribution and subscription model, the founder is deliberately targeting the mass market, differentiating himself from local manufactures. Kombuchery is now the most valuable German kombucha brand, has tens of thousands of customers and is listed with more than 300 local retailers, including Edeka, Rewe and KaDeWe. The fresh capital will be used primarily to drive international expansion, product innovation and team expansion. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and on subsequent financing rounds. We are pleased to accompany Kombuchery for the first time in the context of a financing round in addition to the ongoing consulting and to further strengthen the relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Edzard Rothen, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

15.11.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 29 million financing round of Hive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the €29 million Series A financing round of Berlin-based logistics startup Hive.

Only 16 months after its founding, the Berlin-based founding trio Oskar Ziegler, Franz Purucker and Leonard von Kleist was able to expand its prestigious investor base with two top US investors. In addition to Earlybird and Picus Capital, Activant and Tiger Global are now also investing in the e-commerce logistics startup Hive as part of the Series A round. This brings the company's total valuation to €134 million. Hive provides software and operational services to help direct-to-consumer brands manage their operations from sourcing to delivery, revolutionizing operational D2C commerce since July 2020. The team, now over 100 strong, helps other founders focus on their product instead of dealing with customs regulations and returns. Hive will invest the fresh capital in the further development of the software as well as in expansion. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has continuously been advising Earlybird on investments (most recently on its investments in MAYD and Aleph Alpha as well as in Hive's seed financing round) and has been able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Edzard Rothen (both Venture Capital)

09.11.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises COMGY on € 25 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised COMGY on its € 25 million Series B financing round. In addition to lead investor Swiss Life Asset Managers, Rivus Capital, Bonventure, SIGNA, EWE, Momeni and Verve Ventures are also investing in the Berlin-based company.

COMGY was founded in 2017 by Ruben Haas, Lukas Krauter and Simon Stürtz as a provider of smart metering services and now manages over 60,000 residential and commercial units in Germany and the EU with 60 employees. In view of the climate crisis, rising energy prices, CO2 tax and ESG guidelines, the demands on the real estate and energy industry to sustainably reduce energy consumption and thus the CO2 footprint are also increasing. To leverage previously untapped energy saving potential in the industry, COMGY has developed its own operating system, the Comgy submetering OS. This technology makes it possible to efficiently and digitally manage the entire value chain - from the installation of metering technology to final billing. The COMGY service offering ranges from a full-service solution for the real estate industry to modular self-service (SaaS) product for self-billers, energy service providers and other metering services. With new growth capital, the technology company aims to expand its own reach in Germany and the EU. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM's team has been advising COMGY on an ongoing basis. The contact to the company came about through the advising of SIGNA Innovations as lead investor in the Series A financing round. Since then, the client relationship has been steadily expanded and strengthened. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Maximilian Frink, Edzard Rothen, Daniel Schlichting (all Venture Capital)

14.10.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 13 million financing round of MAYD

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the €13 million seed financing round of Berlin-based startup MAYD.

In addition to Earlybird, 468 Capital and Target Global are also investing in the Berlin-based company founded by Hanno Heintzenberg and Lukas Pieczonka (McMakler founders), which is launching as the first European instant delivery platform for medicines. The company offers its Berlin users a 30-minute delivery service for initially over-the-counter pharmacy products via the MAYD app, entering the market just ahead of the upcoming launch of the e-prescription in January 2022. After the roll-out in Berlin, other German cities and the development of the European market are to follow. The service is also to be expanded to include the ordering of prescription products. When an order is placed between 8 a.m. and midnight, MAYD delivers the desired products to the doorstep within 30 minutes, 7 days a week, via a fleet of messengers linked to the pharmacies. Without additional delivery costs and regardless of the order value. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments, most recently on its investment in AI startup Aleph Alpha as well as on Unicorn sennder's Series D financing round and the previous merger with Everoad, among others. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Daniel Schlichting, Dr. Sebastian Krieg, Jonas Kiehne (Venture Capital)

30.09.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises contentbird on acquisition of Contilla Creator

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised digital company contentbird on its strategic acquisition of Contilla Creator, the leading software provider for interactive content formats.

Contentbird was founded in 2012 by Bastian Bickelhaupt and Nicolai Kuban and already supports hundreds of companies in significantly increasing the efficiency of their marketing through interactive content formats with its software and services-based content marketing method. The company takes care of all the relevant steps, from content strategy, research, planning and creation to distribution, analysis and monetization. In the battle for greater digital visibility and brand awareness, more trust and stronger customer loyalty, more and more companies are recognizing the significant added value of interactive content formats over traditional advertising formats. Two out of three consumers trust content more than advertising. Moreover, interactive elements such as product finders, advent calendars, quizzes, betting games or dynamic graphics generate far higher dwell times, share rates and click-through rates than classic text or static content. With the takeover of the Contilla Creator from contilla GmbH, provider of the already hundredfold used software for interactive content formats, contentbird gains more than 80 well-known enterprise customers of different industries (among them toom Baumarkt, AO Deutschland, Vaillant, Fressnapf or Siemens) and strengthens its market-leading position in the content operations software segment. The product will be integrated as a new module "contentbird Convert" into the existing contentbird offering. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team regularly advises on the acquisition and sale of companies and especially startups, not only in the context of financing rounds but also in M&A transactions. We are pleased to now accompany contentbird on acquisitions and on its growth course, in addition to providing ongoing advice. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben (both Venture Capital/M&A)

26.08.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises elopage on $ 38M initial funding round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based SaaS startup elopage on their first financing round with an overall funding of USD 38 million. In addition to lead investor Target Global, other well-known tech investors Partech Ventures from France and the American fund Avid Ventures participated in the Series A round.

Elopage was founded in 2015 by Özkan Akkilic and Tolga Önal with the mission to help digital entrepreneurs focus more on their passion as they build and scale their business: their content. As the fastest growing SaaS platform and payment provider for the creator economy in Europe, elopage enables a new generation of entrepreneurs to easily set up, distribute, and monetize their digital content - within three hours, from anywhere, and without much prior technical knowledge. The company combines hundreds of applications with flexible features and apps. Users can easily develop and maintain a customized website and sales channels, collect payments and take care of their tax payments. The company plans to use the fresh capital to grow its current team of 70 employees to 190 by the end of the year. The company also plans to further invest in its proprietary technology and drive European expansion. Today, elopage is already the platform and payment provider of choice for more than 40,000 digital entrepreneurs and SMEs. Background: The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised elopage for the first time during the financing round. Since then, the client relationship has been strengthened and expanded. In the meantime, we advise elopage on an ongoing basis and look forward to future financing rounds of Europe's fastest growing SaaS startup. The contact to elopage came about through our network. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff (Lead), Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben, Edzard Rothen, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Sebastian Krieg, Daniel Schlichting, Maximilian Frink, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

10.08.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Xayn on € 10 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based AI startup Xayn on its recently closed € 10 million Series A financing round.

In addition to the two lead investors Global Brain and KDDI, existing investors Earlybird Venture Capital and Dominik Schiener also participated in the round. The current round brings the company's total funding to € 19.5 million. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Leif-Nissen Lundbæk (Chief Executive Officer), Professor Michael Huth (Chief Research Officer) and Felix Hahmann (Chief Operations Officer), the AI company's app, which was released in late 2020, combines a search engine, discovery feed and mobile browser with personalization, privacy and intuitive design. Based on recent AI research from Europe, the app thus ushers in a new generation of user-friendly privacy technology. Instead of bringing the data to the algorithms, as is usually the case, Xayn brings the algorithms to the data, therefore enabling AI training directly on users' devices. The launch of a version for desktop devices is planned for the near future. With the newly acquired capital, Xayn plans to further develop its app and expand into the Asian market with a particular focus on Japan. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising Xayn on a general ongoing basis as well as on financing rounds since 2018. We are pleased to further strengthen and expand our client relationship with Xayn. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Tina Schmidt, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Daniel Schlichting, Maximilian Frink, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

06.08.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton on acquisition of Stürtz Group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the financial investor capiton on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Stürtz Group.

The Stürtz Group is a leading developer, manufacturer and globally active marketer of automated solutions for window production with over 35 years of industry experience. The company's product portfolio includes solutions for the entire window production process, a comprehensive after-sales service and a special software package that enables continuous coordination and intelligent control of production machinery. Together with the management team, capiton plans to organically expand the business and continue the Group's internationalization strategy. The transaction is still subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. The seller and buyer have agreed not to disclose the financial terms of the transaction. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising Berlin-based financial investor capiton for a long time. With the acquisition of the Stürtz Group, we advised the capiton VI fund for the fourth time on a new acquisition within the last year. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauss, Tina Schmidt, Till Wansleben, David Thüning (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

05.08.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Wonderz on seven-figure Pre-Series A financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based SaaS startup Wonderz on its recently closed seven-figure Pre-Series A financing round. In addition to lead investor IBB Ventures, JCMB, Scope Hanson and Janosch film & medien AG also participated in the round.

The WunderBox software developed by the company, which was founded in 2017 by Sebastian Wehner, Daniel Acht and Daniel Matzke, is an innovative B2B2C software-as-a-service platform for democratizing digital content distribution. WunderBox enables content creators to publish their content on mobile devices (Android, iOS) and AppleTV quickly, efficiently and without prior technical knowledge or their own development team. This allows book publishers, TV broadcasters, influencers, film, game and TV producers to diversify their offer with low financial risk and reach a larger audience worldwide. Well-known international customers such as Skyship Entertainment and Warner Media are already using the software. With the newly acquired capital, Wonderz plans to functionally expand the WunderBox software and launch the first self-service version. In addition, the funding will be used to scale sales, marketing and support. Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and on later financing rounds. We are pleased to be able to accompany Wonderz in the context of this financing round in addition to the ongoing consulting and to further strengthen the relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff (Lead), Daniel Schlichting, Maximilian Frink (all Venture Capital)

02.08.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Raith on acquisition of 4PICO Litho

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Raith, a portfolio company of capiton and the world's leading manufacturer of precision technology for nanofabrication, on the acquisition of all shares in 4PICO Litho.

Since 2004, the Dutch company 4PICO Litho has become a market leader in holographic and security printing and is the preferred supplier of laser beam lithography for submicron projects in the R&D market. With the acquisition of the market leader from near Eindhoven, Raith can expand its product portfolio to better serve the specific needs of its semiconductor customers worldwide. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising capiton for more than 20 years, including on the acquisition of the Raith Group from Hannover Finanz in 2016. Since then, we have been advising Raith on an ongoing basis and in particular on financing issues. With the add-on 4PICO Litho, the group acquires a complementary business area and thus significantly improves its positioning in the markets relevant to it. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauss, David Thüning (both Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

27.07.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 23 million Series A financing round of AI startup Aleph Alpha

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital as lead investor on the €23 million Series A financing round of AI research and application startup Aleph Alpha. Other investors included Lakestar and UVC Partners, as well as existing investors LEA Partners, 468 Capital and Cavalry Ventures.

Aleph Alpha is one of the most promising German startups in the field of General AI, based in Heidelberg. Founded in 2019 by AI serial entrepreneur Jonas Andrulis and co-founder Samuel Weinbach, the startup researches, develops and operationalizes large-scale AI systems towards generalizing AI. Aleph Alpha will offer GPT-3-like text, image and strategy AI models via an API in the future. These will enable public and private sector partners to modernize existing business models as well as develop new, innovative business models in data-driven value creation. With the newfound support of Europe's leading deep tech investors, Aleph Alpha will be able to further accelerate the independent development of cutting-edge AI systems and further expand its team of world-class AI researchers, engineers and delivery professionals. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has already supported Earlybird in many investments. After advising on the investment in AI startup thingsTHINKING, Aleph Alpha is now another Earlybird portfolio company in the AI space. We are looking forward to further exciting financing rounds. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff (Lead), Raoul Moritz Nissen, Till Wansleben, Maximilian Frink, Daniel Schlichting (all Venture Capital)

22.07.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Raus on 7-digit Series Seed financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the hospitality startup Raus, founded a few months ago, on their seed financing round with Speedinvest as lead investor.

Raus is a newly founded company that creates contemporary getaways with smart, sustainable cabins near major cities. So people can take a break in nature without the hassle (and environmental impact) of long-haul travel. Working with a team of architects, hospitality experts, engineers and designers, Raus will launch its first generation of "cabins" in Germany later this year. Designed to offer a break from the nine-to-five grind, the minimalist yet comfortable getaways and a fully digitized guest experience allows one to experience stress-free time outside of the city. The young company will use the fresh capital for scaling, product development and building a digital guest journey. The seed round was led by European early-stage investor Speedinvest, with participation of Tourlane founders Julian Stiefel and Julian Weselek, former Airbnb Managing Director (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Zazume Co-Founder Jeroen Merchiers, and BCG Digital Ventures Managing Director & Partner Urs Rahne among others. Speedinvest is one of the most active early-stage investors in Europe with €450 million AUM and 40 investors in Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, Vienna and San Francisco. Background: The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Raus for the first time. The contact to Raus was established through our partner Dr. Patrick Auerbach. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Daniel Schlichting (both Venture Capital)

15.07.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Berliner Volksbank Ventures on € 88 million Series D financing round of LIQID

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berliner Volksbank Ventures as existing shareholder of Berlin-based asset manager LIQID on its € 88 million Series D financing round. With LGT (a leading international private banking and asset management group owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein for over 90 years) as lead investor of the Series D, a strategic partner for the expansion and internationalisation of LIQID's business was gained.

Berliner Volksbank Ventures is the corporate venture capital fund of the Berliner Volksbank. They accompany young, innovative companies in the implementation of their growth strategy. In doing so, they stand for stability, reliability, community and partnership at eye level. These values accompany them throughout the whole investment process and shape the cooperation with their portfolio companies. LIQID is the leading digital asset manager for high net worth individuals in Europe and one of the emerging German FinTech. On an intuitive digital platform, the company offers asset management services as well as an exclusive access to the world's leading private equity, private equity real estate and venture capital funds. Background: Together with Redstone, BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the investments of Berliner Volksbank Ventures, the corporate venture capital fund of the Berliner Volksbank. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Dr. Patrick Auerbach (all Venture Capital)

08.07.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises DEC on the financing of the acquisition of Extract Technology

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the DEC Group on the financing of the acquisition of Extract Technology (UK / US).

The Dec Group, a portfolio company of the capiton V fund and leading provider worldwide of containment powder handling systems, has acquired the Extract Technology business from US-listed Wabash National Corporation, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Extract Technology is a leading provider of containment and aseptic systems for the pharmaceutical, biotech, nuclear and chemical markets. Extract is headquartered in Huddersfield, UK, with an additional site in New Lisbon, USA, serving the fast-growing US market.

In this transaction, the DEC Group was advised by BMH BRÄUTIGAM with regard to the financing and the acquisition of further shares in group companies. For aspects of Swiss law, BMH BRÄUTIGAM called on MLL Meyerlustenberger Lachenal (lead Dr. Christoph Heiz) from its international network.

Background:
The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton for years, including the acquisition of the DEC Group. Other advisors to DEC: Shoosmiths (Legal UK / Transaction, led by Simon Procter), PwC (Financial), EY (Tax). Advisors to banks: Baker McKenzie (lead Dr. Philip Spoerlé, Zurich).

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauss, David Thüning, Tina Schmidt, Till Wansleben (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

01.07.21

INTERVIEW with DR. AUERBACH – LegalTech: A decisive investment in the future opportunities of our profession

Interview with Dr. Patrick Auerbach (BMH BRÄUTIGAM) and Insa Janßen (Legal OS)

Insa: Patrick, as a leading name in the venture capital scene, what should people definitely know about you and your law firm?

Patrick: I am a partner in the Berlin transaction boutique BMH BRÄUTIGAM, which I have helped to build since its foundation in 2007. Initially as a lawyer in private equity and real estate, but shortly afterwards - when I made partner - I started to build up the firm's venture capital practice. In the meantime, our strong venture capital team of 10 has become one of the most renowned VC practices in Germany. What is special about BMH are the people - we place a strong focus on selecting the "right" BMH people and look for interesting characters who not only bring professional excellence, but also fit in with us as people.

Insa: When did you first come into contact with the automation of legal content?

Patrick: In 2008, relatively early in my career. At the time, I was still working in real estate law and processing rental house purchase agreements nineteen to the dozen. Even back then, the basis was a large collection of different text modules that first had to be assembled and then painstakingly adapted in terms of gender or numerus. At some point, I got so fed up with this mindless work that I started to automate this process with Visual Basic to such an extent that it was at least possible to select the relevant text modules with a few clicks and insert them at the appropriate place in the contract. However, the subsequent revision still had to be done manually. When my boss wanted to use the tool for the revision of a document instead of just the initial creation while I was on holiday, it virtually destroyed half the contract. Since then, the topic of automation was off the table for the time being and the use of Visual Basic for creating contracts was prohibited (laughs).

Insa: That's a very understandable intermission in automation. How did it continue after that and since when have you actually been using LegalTech?

Patrick: After that, the topic of LegalTech was on hold for about 10 years. However, the idea of automated contracts and the associated potential for our legal work never left me - until we finally decided to purchase a new notary programme in 2018. Basically a very user-unfriendly 90s software - bulky and difficult to access - but with the possibility of individualised data queries, which can be transferred into Word by means of programming code. In practical terms, it was possible to process data and insert predefined text modules at any point in a Word document using a small programming code. When I realised the incredible hidden potential of the software, I literally locked myself away for three months and temporarily relinquished all factual work. Thanks to our remarkable team spirit in the office, especially across teams, this worked wonderfully and the result was a quite respectable set of automated documents.

Insa: In your opinion, what requirements does legal work, or the legal market, place on technical solutions?

Patrick: It varies, depending on what you're trying to achieve with technology. You can try to analyse large amounts of data quickly and accurately, check legal issues more or less automatically or automate the creation of documents. This is also the area that we are mainly working on at the moment - the automation of our most complicated documents and related document sets from the transaction business. For this, it is particularly important for legal tech tools to be able to deal with logic structures that quickly become complicated and ramified even with simple documents.

Insa: In your opinion, which areas lend themselves best to automation and which perhaps not at all?

Patrick: For me, it's mainly the repetitive tasks that I do every day and then get annoyed about because it swallows up my effective working time. If I have cases that occur in my practice non-stop, then I should think about automating the corresponding contract templates. In addition, so-called "data battles" have great potential for automation, i.e. wherever I have a large amount of data to process, the use of LegalTech is worthwhile. An example from venture capital practice: we regularly have to deal with companies that have 40 or more shareholders. This means that the relevant data, including the shares held, must be recorded for all shareholders. The number and class of shares are then also linked to a number package. Until now, these huge amounts of data have had to be processed manually. This can sometimes take up to 30 hours. With a LegalTech tool, this work can be done in a maximum of 5 hours.

Insa: We often hear that only very simple, repetitive decisions and processes, such as legal intake, checklists and emailing, can be automated with LegalTech. What do you think about the automation of core legal work?

Patrick: Drafting documents, especially transactional documents, requires excellent legal expertise and experience in the transactional business, both of which play a crucial role in practicable automation. In the past, when an associate created a document manually, he had to deal intensively with each of his decisions and, if in doubt, ask a more experienced lawyer or partner about it. If I now give him a contract generator that he "only" has to click through, then I have to make sure that he still gets intensive training. This is crucial for the quality of the final product and ultimately for the lawyers themselves. The explanations and the necessary knowledge must therefore flow into this contract generator and be permanently available there.

Insa: You are now also using Legal OS in Livedeals, can you explain the specific use case?

Patrick: One of the first deals in which we used Legal OS properly was an early-stage and, for this stage, unusually complex financing round for a well-known investor in the market. For us, it was therefore predestined for using our tool for the first time under real conditions.

With the opposing law firm, also a renowned VC law firm, we virtually "fought" over the first draft (laughs). In the end, we prevailed and surprised our colleagues with the (sporty!) timeline we had set - "Are you really serious?" was their reaction. Within hours, we were ultimately able to create a product with the first drafts which was so complex that you would normally need several days for its completion.

Insa: What is the added value for your clients and what are the benefits for you as a law firm?

Patrick: The added value for clients can easily be described in three words: speed, precision and transparency. For most clients, speed plays a very decisive role, especially with the initial drafting of contracts. With the help of Legal OS, we are now able to deliver them within just a few hours. In addition to speed, it is also precision that brings decisive added value. With LegalTech, it is possible to reproduce the same result over and over again and to eradicate errors forever once they have been discovered. Especially with regard to the typically very complex figures and calculations in the VC sector, this plays a decisive role. Over time, we can thus sustainably increase the quality of our products. The third aspect is transparency in pricing. We can already set fixed prices for all automated activities in advance, so that in the future we will move step by step towards fixed prices for automated processes.

For us as a law firm and for our staff, I see the advantages in the fact that our lawyers can focus more on the essentials. Less data entry, research for contract clauses, copy-paste and adjustments in numerus and gender - but more time to examine the crucial economic and legal issues of a case. In short, more focus on the exciting, core legal parts of the job. I also believe that in the future it will be an important skill for lawyers to be able to deal with LegalTech. This concerns both the application and the creation of (small) LegalTech tools. As a law firm, we want to position ourselves as an early mover in this area and with the training to become legal engineers give our lawyers the opportunity to learn the tools for the future. The current developments provide us all with incredible opportunities to shape the profession and our own career paths.

Insa: You are now also training legal engineers yourselves. What motivated you to do so and how can legal engineers enrich teams?

Patrick: We are using LegalTech in more and more areas - starting with the automation of our notary business, we are now also working on suitable solutions for the legal sector. In order to be able to profit sustainably from the fruits of our work in the area of LegalTech, it is not enough to successfully manage a project. It takes people who are continuously involved in the further development, maintenance and adaptation of the programmes to current case law or legislation. So it makes sense to train this competence in-house in the form of legal engineers.

Insa: What skills do you think one should possess to become a legal engineer?

Patrick: Legal engineering has two essential components. On one hand the competence to develop an appropriate tool taking into account applicable law or legal requirements. In my opinion, only lawyers are suitable for this and our profession will have to further educate itself in this area. On the other hand the implementation of legal logic structures in a programme, be it by means of code or in a no-code environment. There are two ways to do this: If needed, via external service providers, if the instructions are precise enough, or by building up in-house skills. We are currently training our business lawyer as a legal engineer in a pilot project! In the future, this will also be a crucial part of our legal training.

Insa: What are your next steps?

Patrick: We are currently working on automating the entire transaction documentation for a financing round with Legal OS. Once we have launched that successfully, we will start extending it to other documents, both in the venture capital area and in the other areas of our firm.

Insa: How do you want to position yourselves as a law firm in the area of LegalTech in the future, what is your vision?

Patrick: From my point of view, in addition to the automation of existing services, LegalTech provides us with a number of unimagined possibilities and opportunities to offer our clients an even better service. As a law firm, we want to position ourselves as an early mover in this area and I can imagine many processes in which LegalTech will play an important role in the future. We work with a lot of numbers in venture capital and often look at certain majorities in different share classes - instead of the typical cheat sheet calculation, a visual representation with a pie chart or something similar lends itself wonderfully here.

The creation of key summaries after a transaction has been completed would also be very interesting. Because once a transaction has been completed, clients usually don't feel like looking at the long contracts again, despite their practical relevance. I also see a lot of potential in the area of data processing. At the moment, usually the data still has to be entered manually in many different programmes before it can finally be merged in the contract documents. This is very time-consuming and error-prone and has huge potential for optimisation.

Insa: How do you think the profession of lawyers will change?

Patrick: That's an exciting question. I have been experiencing very rapid technological progress for quite a while now. When I started my training, we were still working with Blackberries and there were even lawyers in the office who didn't even have a computer. Instead, I was taught to use a tape recorder: "Otherwise you're not a real lawyer!". And if I needed a new contract template, the path inevitably led me to the library. Thank God a lot has changed since then without the core of the lawyer's work changing dramatically. New tools will therefore be integrated quite naturally into the everyday work and also the training of young lawyers; they will build their own tech tools much more often and work with the possibilities available on the market as a matter of course.

Insa: Patrick, our last question for you: What challenges do you think these new opportunities will pose for law firms and lawyers in the future?

Patrick: That’s clear-cut, (re)building the required tech skills within a law firm. The reality so far is that a lawyer's currency is his time, which he converts into money by working on the mandate. Every hour that is now taken away from pure client work is viewed critically. However, I believe that it is absolutely essential for law firms to realise that they have to invest time resources, but also money in these issues in order to remain competitive in the long term. Yes, in small and medium-sized law firms, use cases are not quite as easily recognisable and do not lead as directly to an economic balance as they might in a large law firm, but it is in any case also a decisive investment in the future opportunities of our profession.

25.06.21

Best Lawyers 2021 – The Lawyers of BMH BRÄUTIGAM are among the best in Germany

In this year’s Handelsblatt Best Lawyers Ranking, the lawyers of BMH BRÄUTIGAM were mentioned numerous times.

Dr. Patrick Auerbach (M&A, Venture Capital), Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam (Conflict Resolution), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (M&A), Bastian Reinschmidt (M&A), Tina Schmidt (M&A) and Katja Walkhoff (M&A) are among “Germany’s Best Lawyers 2021.”

In addition, Till Wansleben (M&A) is listed in the new category “The Ones To Watch.”

The awards in the Best Lawyer Ranking are based on a comprehensive survey of lawyers.

This year, for the first time, young lawyers with an outstanding reputation are honored as “The Ones To Watch.”

The full ranking can be found here: Best Lawyers 2021

23.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Prestatech on the acquisition of Prestacap and financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has comprehensively advised the founders and managers of Prestatech (Christian Nothacker, Luca Terragni, Lorenzo Giusti and Massimiliano Mastalia) as lead counsel on the acquisition of Prestacap (now under the name Prestatech) with Ptech Holdings, which they founded, from the Italian DEPObank SpA in the context of a management buy-out and a parallel financing round by equity investors.

The Prestatech platform is a new digital solution for the lending sector and the natural evolution of Prestacap, the European FinTech platform for business loans originally founded in 2015 by Christian Nothacker. Prestacap was acquired by DEPObank SpA in 2019 and has now been re-acquired and further developed by its founders and managers as part of the management buy-out. Through its platform, Prestatech offers banks API solutions based on artificial intelligence, algorithms and Big Data. The tech-as-a-service services focus on end-to-end digital credit processes.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises on the interface between M&A and venture capital, especially in a cross-border context. The contact to Ptech Holdings and the founders came about through sennder's general counsel, Dr. Christian Gahr, after BMH BRÄUTIGAM had again advised Earlybird on sennder's last financing round.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Till Wansleben, Dr. Alexander Wulff, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital / M&A)

21.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Unicorn Forto on $240 million financing round with Softbank

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is advising the Berlin-based freight startup on a $240 million financing round, making Forto the next German unicorn at a $1.2 billion valuation.

In addition to Softbank (Vision Fund 2) as lead investor, Citi Ventures, G Squared and existing investors including Northzone, Cherry Ventures and Unbound participated in the round.

Forto, formerly FreightHub, was founded in Berlin in 2016 with the vision of creating a highly transparent and sustainable digital supply chain and has grown steadily and rapidly since then. The company is now the leading provider of digital freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, using its digital platform to simplify logistics process management and increase supply chain transparency. Michael Wax (CEO and co-founder), Erik Muttersbach (CTO and co-founder) and Dr. Michael Ardelt (COO) have recently expanded the management team with experienced employees in the areas of technology, sales and finance. In total, Forto currently employs more than 550 people at 11 locations in Europe and Asia and counts leading manufacturers and e-commerce brands such as Home24 and Edeka among its 2,500 customers.

The latest investment, which has seen Forto raise $360 million in capital to date, will help the company further develop a highly transparent, sustainable and digital supply chain.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM's team previously advised Forto as part of its previous financing round in September 2020. The company is currently one of the top 20 freight forwarders for trade between Asia and Europe and one of the top10 startups in Germany, leading a new generation of logistics companies.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach (Lead), Edzard Rothen (Co-Lead), Daniel Schlichting, Maximilian Frink, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital), Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

17.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Habyt on Series B and simultaneous acquisition of homefully

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Europe's leading co-living provider Habyt on its €20 million Series B financing round and simultaneous acquisition of competitor homefully.

The Berlin-based company Habyt was founded by Luca Bovone in 2017 (Forbes 30 under 30) and after the acquisition of homefully, founded in 2016 by Sebastian Würz, now counts over 5000 units in 15 cities and 6 countries. After Erasmo's Room, GoLiving and Quarters, this is the fourth acquisition within the last 12 months and it strengthens Habyt's market leading position in Europe.

With the fresh capital from leading VC investors HV Capital, Vorwerk, P101, Picus Capital and Inveready, the company aims to drive further growth, both organically and through additional M&As (in Europe and Asia).

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to accompany Habyt on its expansion course as well as acquisitions (most recently the acquisition of Quarters) and financings, in addition to the ongoing advisory services.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Raoul Moritz Nissen, Daniel Schlichting, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

16.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises EVP on acquisition of Spanish Group Karott

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Euro Vital Pharma Group (EVP) on the acquisition of Spanish Group Korott.
Group Korott is a leading manufacturer and distributor of vitamins, minerals, natural cosmetics, as well as sport supplements for the Spanish consumer healthcare market.

Headquartered in Alcoy (Spain), they will generate annual revenues of approximately € 20 million. Korott serves a variety of super-/hypermarkets, pharmacies, and health food chains with its broad product port-folio. In addition to its store-brand partnering business, Korott has its own brand portfolio, in-cluding well-known brands such as Vive+ and PowerGym. The broad product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities are backed by a strong in-house R&D department, securing constant innovation and proximity to customers.

Following the acquisition of Principle Healthcare, Group Korott further expands EVP’s European reach, product portfolio and own production capabilities while unlocking significant group-wide synergies. Korott’s experienced management team will reinvest significantly into EVP and remain with the company to continue the company’s growth path as part of a larger, pan-European player.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM involved Cuatrecasas from its international network for matters of Spanish law.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising EVP Group for years and, among others, on the acquisition of Principle Healthcare.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Tina Schmidt, Till Wansleben, Jan-Peter Heyer, David Thüning (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

09.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on expansion of investment in Unicorn sennder

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the expansion of portfolio company sennder's current Series D financing round. The expansion of its Series D financing round by over $80 million brings sennder's current financing round to more than $240 million. Since its foundation, sennder has therefore received more than $350 million from investors. With a valuation of more than $1 billion, sennder is thus the most valuable digital forwarder in Europe.

The financing round is led by investor Baillie Gifford, who have previously invested in tech growth companies such as Amazon, Tesla and Spotify. In addition, together with Earlybird, all of sennder's existing investors participated in the financing round. This underlines the sustained confidence in sennders' mission to digitize road logistics.

Since its founding in 2015 by David Nothacker, Julius Köhler and Nicolaus Schefenacker, the Berlin-based company, which uses its in-house developed technology to connect commercial shippers directly with freight forwarders, has grown remarkably. sennder currently has more than 800 talents at seven international locations and will handle more than one million FTL loads this year.

With the fresh capital, sennder will further accelerate its growth trajectory in Europe, strengthen its market position in its core markets and expand into new markets.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments, most recently on its investment in the fintech startup FQX, the deeptech startup thingsTHINKING, and already on sennder's Series D financing round and previous merger with Everoad, among others.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Till Wansleben (both Venture Capital)

04.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Recare on expansion of current financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Recare, one of the leading digital startups in the German healthcare industry, on the expansion of its last financing round with a new investor by a further € 3 million. Together with the € 2 million from the first part of the financing at the end of 2020, the technology company from Berlin was thus able to raise capital totaling € 5 million. A total of € 9 million has already flown into the company.

Recare was founded in 2017 by Maximilian Greschke and Charles Cote and with the Recare platform operates the largest digital platform for discharge management and care coordination in Germany, measured by active contractual partners. A total of around 560 acute and rehabilitation clinics are now connected with over 14,000 downstream service providers as well as various SHIs.

The fresh capital is another milestone on the way to optimal, digital discharge management: "With the additional capital, we are perfectly positioned to offer hospitals the best possible service and fast, smooth implementation as part of the Hospital Futures Act. We are currently creating the processes and capacities to be able to connect basically every hospital in Germany to our platform with the usual quality without delay. At the same time, the capital is also flowing into innovation and product development - especially for improved interfaces and deep integration with primary systems and health insurers," says Maximilian Greschke, Founder & CEO of Recare.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been supporting Recare since its foundation and has been able to steadily expand and deepen the client relationship since then.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Edzard Rothen (both Venture Capital)

01.06.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on $ 4.7 million financing round of FQX

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the $4.7 million seed financing round of the Zurich-based fintech startup FQX.

The financing round is led by the venture capital investor Earlybird. In addition to Earlybird, SIX Fintech Ventures, the non-strategic corporate venture arm of SIX, and the unicorn founder Carsten Thoma are also investing.

FQX, founded in 2019 by Frank Wendt, Benedikt Schuppli, Dr. des. Stephan D. Meyer & Dr. Philipp von Randow, is radically facilitating trade finance & money markets by using eNotes™, a disruptive short-term financing & payment instrument. In essence, an eNote™ is an unconditional promise to pay a specific sum to another party at a specific future date. The eNote™ is based on Blockchain technology and can be flexibly sold and transferred to any third party (i.e. an investor). When compared to other financing options, eNotes™ as negotiable instruments outperform through their financial steering capabilities and global transferability. The enforcement regime applicable to eNotes™ is recognized in over 165 countries. FQX is the first market-ready solution for eNotes™ built on a banking-grade Blockchain (Swiss Trust Chain) with a unique, patent-pending authentication mechanism (based on regulated and qualified electronic signatures provided by Swisscom). The eNote™ infrastructure can be integrated into financing platforms of banks and Fintechs, allowing their customers to benefit from the entire eNote™ lifecycle from issuance to settlement.
With the fresh capital, the company will scale their revolutionary eNote™ infrastructure.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments, most recently on its investment in deeptech start-up thingsTHINKING as well as, inter alia, in the context of the Series D financing round of Unicorn sennder and the previous merger with Everoad.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Daniel Schlichting, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

25.05.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is one of the best commercial law firms in Germany

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been named one of the best commercial law firms in Germany in the field of Private Equity & Venture Capital in this year's ranking of the business magazine brandeins.

The ranking is based on data from the market research institute Statista, which surveyed 11,297 lawyers from commercial law firms and 3,463 in-house legal experts.

The result was reflected in a notable reputation for the firm: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is now one of the best commercial law firms in Germany in the field of Private Equity & Venture Capital.

The complete ranking can be found here: The best commercial law firms 2021 (brand eins)

11.05.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 4.5 million financing round of thingsTHINKING

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the €4.5 million seed financing round of the Karlsruhe-based deeptech startup thingsTHINKING.

The financing round is led by the venture capital investor Earlybird, who focuses on technology companies in Europe. In addition to Earlybird, various well-known business angels are also investing.
thingsTHINKING was founded in 2017 by Sven Körner, Mathias Landhäußer, Georg Müller and Abdelmalik El Guesaoui as a spin-off of the renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. With semantha®, the team has developed the fastest and most advanced semantic platform, taking text processing to a new level - with multimodal processing and without the usual training usually required for AI applications. semantha® works out-of-the-box, speaks more than 100 languages and can be guided with just a few examples.
With the fresh capital, the company will further develop the software and extend its technological lead.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments (most recently on its investment in the Berlin-based logistics start-up Hive as well as, inter alia, in the context of the Series D financing round of Unicorn sennder and the previous merger with Everoad) and was able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Raoul Moritz Nissen, Daniel Schlichting, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

20.04.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises flexperto on exit to RGI

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the shareholders of SaaS company flexperto on its sale to RGI, an independent software provider and European market leader in the digital transformation of insurers.

The Berlin-based startup flexperto was founded in 2012, has grown rapidly since then and now counts more than 100 companies, including in particular numerous well-known brands in the insurance and financial services sector, among its customers. As a leading software provider for digital B2C communication and collaboration, the company offers a 100% web-based platform for digital consulting that seamlessly connects all tools and channels of a sales force. This enables insurers to increase their sales efficiency and offer a personalized, digital customer experience.
RGI, a portfolio company of Corsair Capital, expands with the acquisition its own product portfolio of cloud-based quoting and communication services and further expands its pioneering position in Europe as well as its presence in the DACH region.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team regularly advises on the acquisition and sale of companies as well as exits of start-ups and was able to successfully utilize its extensive expertise in both venture capital and M&A/private equity in this transaction.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Tina Schmidt, Till Wansleben, David Thüning (all M&A/ Venture Capital), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

20.04.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Schwarzwälder Bote on multi-million financing of German Autolabs

BMH BRÄUTIGAM accompanies with Redstone the investment of the Family Office of Schwarzwälder Bote in the recently closed financing round of the AI tech startup German Autolabs.

In addition to Schwarzwälder Bote as lead investor and shareholder of some of Germany's largest media groups, existing investors Target Partners, nbr Tech Ventures and Coparion also participate in the financing round.
German Autolabs, founded in 2016 by serial entrepreneur Holger G. Weiss, specializes in voice assistance solutions for professional drivers, couriers and delivery people and became known for the first retrofittable smart voice assistant for cars. The modular voice AI platform enables companies in the logistics industry to optimize everyday workflows and processes by linking delivery addresses, delivery peculiarities and route info from various data sources, thus further increasing delivery quality.
The new multi-million funding will now accelerate the roll-out of the voice assistance platform.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has repeatedly acted alongside Redstone in the context of this investment. Having already advised on the investments of venture capitalist VR Ventures and the family office of Schwarzwälder Bote in RightNow at the end of last year, we are very pleased to be able to further strengthen and expand our relationship with Redstone.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Edzard Rothen (both Venture Capital)

14.04.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 6.6 million financing round of Hive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the € 6.6 million seed financing round of Berlin-based logistics start-up Hive.

The financing round is led by venture capital investor Earlybird, who focuses on technology companies in Europe. In addition to Earlybird, other investors include Amplifier, experienced business angels and investors, including Picus Capital and the founders of Flixbus and Forto.

Founded in Berlin in 2020 by Oskar Ziegler, Franz Purucker and Leonard von Kleist, Hive helps e-commerce companies build competitive and scalable shipping logistics. The Corona pandemic has given the entire e-commerce sector another boost and more than ever D2C brands need to be able to focus on product sales and brand building. As a real alternative to Amazon and Co., Hive offers them technology-supported, scalable and extremely efficient shipping logistics from a single source, including specially operated logistics centres as well as state-of-the-art software with customised analyses, forecasts and suggestions, for example, for the procurement of items with low stock levels.

The young company will use the fresh capital for the expansion of its product range, the development of new markets and the gradual enlargement of the Berlin team.

Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has continuously been advising Earlybird on investments (most recently on its investment in Instamotion, on the Series D financing round of Unicorn sennder as well as on its investment in Energy Robotics, Upvest, as well as on the merger of Everoad and sennder) and has been able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Dr. Alexander Wulff, Raoul Moritz Nissen, Edzard Rothen (all Venture Capital)

16.03.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton on entry into Wundex

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised financial investor capiton on the acquisition of a majority stake in Wundex Group.

Wundex is a full-service provider for integrated wound care. For more than 25 years, the group has specialized in the development of high-quality homecare wound treatment, especially in the field of anti-decubitus prophylaxis as well as in the distribution of modern wound care products. The focus is on patients with chronic wounds. Thanks to comprehensive advisory services pro-vided by specially trained wound managers and a modern logistics infrastructure, wound patients are optimally cared for. In addition, the group distributes about 60,000 different wound care products. Both founders will retain a significant shareholding and will continue to run the day-to-day operations of the company as managing directors. Capiton and management plan to grow the business organically as well as through acquisitions of smaller players in this fragmented market. The transaction is still subject to the usual market reservations. Background: The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM have been advising capiton on the acquisition and sale of companies for more than 20 years, most recently on the sale of its stake in Trioptics to Jenoptik and the acquisition of Cedes Group. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Tina Schmidt (Lead), Jan-Peter Heyer, Till Wansleben, David Thüning (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Merger Clearance), Dr. Sylko Winkler (Financing)

12.03.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Habyt on acquisition of Quarters

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised co-living provider Habyt on its acquisition of Quarters, one of the largest co-living providers in the world.

Founded in 2017 by Luca Bovone (Forbes 30 under 30), Berlin-based Habyt has grown into one of Europe's leading co-living providers in just a few years. Following the acquisitions of Erasmo's Room and GoLiving, Quarters is now the third and largest successfully completed acquisition within the last 12 months, marking an important milestone on Habyt's way to the top of the co-living industry.
With a mission to create the best living experience through great design, community and simplicity, Habyt has already raised €8 million to date from leading VC investors such as P101, Picus Capital and Inveready and now has more than 4,000 units in 13 cities and 5 countries.

Background:
The contact with Habyt came about through collaboration in a transaction. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to now accompany Habyt on its expansion course as well as in acquisitions and financing, in addition to providing ongoing advice.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Raoul Moritz Nissen, Till Wansleben, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

02.03.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 24 Million financing round of Instamotion

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the Series B financing round of Munich-based e-commerce and mobility company Instamotion in the amount of €24 million.

As an independent provider, the company, which was founded in 2016, offers simple, secure, carefree and fully digital car purchases in Germany via its platform Instamotion for buying used cars. In just 15 minutes, customers can choose their own car from a selection of more than 30,000 immediately available young used cars –with financing with immediate confirmation, insurance, registration and delivery to their own doorstep included. In addition, the buyer receives a 14-day right of return and a 12-month all-inclusive warranty from co-shareholder Allianz. With the current financing round, the management team (including Autoscout24 founder Dr. Nikolas Deskovic), which is highly experienced in the automotive and Internet industries, has succeeded in raising over 30 million euros in capital in less than 1.5 years. Instamotion intends to use the fresh capital to accelerate its expansion and extend its technological lead. In addition to Earlybird Venture Capital, other existing investors such as THI Investments and ACT Ventures are participating in the current round. Lead investor Gruner und Jahr Digital Ventures who supports the company with a strategic investment, the same way Allianz already does, joins as a new investor. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising Earlybird continuously on investments (most recently on the Series D financing round of Unicorn sennder, on the investment in Energy Robotics and Upvest, and already on the merger of Everoad and sennder) and has been able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Till Wansleben (both Venture Capital)

02.02.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Tracks on € 2 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Berlin-based logistics startup Tracks on its €2 million Pre-Series A financing round.

Founded in 2018, the Berlin-based company aims to use artificial intelligence to make road freight transport more efficient, safer, more sustainable and fairer. For example, logistics companies have the opportunity to monitor the CO2 emissions of their vehicles via the company's platform. In addition to lead investor MobilityFund, IBB Ventures, Future Energy Ventures, Reederei NORD, Hiller Logistik and Golzern Holding also participated in the financing round. The fresh capital will enable the company to enter the market on a broad scale as well as to further develop the Tracks platform and expand the team.

Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly advises emerging startups during the founding phase and in subsequent financing rounds. We are pleased to continue to accompany Tracks on its growth path after the financing round. The contact to Tracks came about through recommendations from the market.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Katharina Erbe (both Venture Capital)

20.01.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Superchat on € 2.8 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based tech startup Superchat on its € 2.8 million seed financing round.

Founded in the summer of 2020 by Yilmaz Köknar and Mika Hally, the company offers an innovative software solution to digitize customer communication of small and medium-sized businesses. The Corona pandemic and the widespread contact restrictions that have accompanied it, have further increased the already growing importance of online reviews as a decision-making tool for consumers. Superchat allows businesses to quickly, easily and cost-effectively roll out their customer communications to digital channels such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger or Google Business Chat, and encourage more customers to leave online reviews.

In addition to lead investor 468 Capital, well-known business angels such as Mato Perić, Matt Robinson, Rolf Schrömgens (Trivago) and Kai Hansen (Lieferando) also participated in the round. In order to tap into additional industries and acquire new customers, Superchat will invest the fresh capital primarily in expanding the team and further developing the software solution.

Background: In addition to investors, BMH BRÄUTIGAM also regularly already advises aspiring startups during the founding phase and on later financing rounds. After the financing round, we are pleased to continue to accompany Superchat on its growth course. The contact to Superchat came about through recommendations from the market.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben (both Venture Capital)

18.01.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM appoints new partner

BMH BRÄUTIGAM appoints Katharina Erbe, LL. M. (UC Hastings) (Venture Capital │IP/IT) as Salary Partner at the turn of the year.

In seven years at the firm, Katharina Erbe has developed into an outstanding transactional lawyer alongside Patrick Auerbach and Alexander Wulff with proven expertise in IP/IT law. With the successful development of her own international client base, she has been instrumental in driving the success of the firm's renowned venture capital practice. In addition to advising her own international clients on an ongoing basis and assisting with financing rounds, Katharina Erbe has taken on key roles in major transactions for well-known clients such as Forto and SIGNA.

The development of Katharina Erbe and the partner appointments in recent years demonstrate without doubt the success of the firm's strategy of growing from within its own ranks, as well as the outstanding quality of its own junior staff. The successful reconciliation of work and family life as well as the support of young associates on their individual career paths are not only a promise at BMH BRÄUTIGAM but part of the firm's culture.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Katharina Erbe, LL. M. (UC Hastings) (Venture Capital │IP/IT)

14.01.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on Series D financing round of Unicorn sennder

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the Series D financing round of portfolio company sennder in the amount of US$ 160 million. This brings sennder's valuation as Europe's leading digital freight forwarder to more than US$ 1 billion, making it one of the most valuable European startups.

The current financing round is led by new investors. In addition to Earlybird, other well-known existing investors such as Accel, Lakestar, HV Capital, Project A, Next47, Scania Growth Capital, and Perpetual are also investing, confirming their confidence in the company's business model and direction. Earlybird has been part of sennder's prestigious investor base since the successful merger of Everoad and sennder last year.

Since its foundation in 2015 by David Nothacker, Julius Köhler and Nicolaus Schefenacker, the Berlin-based company, which uses its in-house developed technology to connect commercial shippers directly with freight forwarders, has grown remarkably. sennder currently has more than 800 talents in seven international locations and will handle more than one million FTL loads this year.

Much of the fresh capital (US$ 100 million) will be used to expand sennder's technology. The remaining capital will go towards the rapid expansion into new European markets with a focus on strategic partnerships.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM continuously advises Earlybird on investments (most recently on its investments in Energy Robotics and Upvest, as well as previously on the merger of Everoad and sennder) and has been able to further strengthen and expand the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Till Wansleben (both Venture Capital)

13.01.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Recare on € 2 million financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Recare, one of the leading digital startups in the German healthcare industry, on its € 2 million financing round.
Recare was founded in 2017 by Maximilian Greschke and Charles Cote with the goal of digitalising discharge management for patients from hospitals with a B2B marketplace.

In 2020, the Recare platform was further developed beyond the initial application of discharge management and is becoming a comprehensive tool for the digital coordination of supply pathways. In addition to 60 acute and rehabilitation clinics, more than 13,000 other service providers (such as care support points or statutory health insurers) now use the platform to organize care. The company, which has already raised a total of around €6 million in capital since its founding, is now also active in the French market with its platform via a subsidiary.

In addition to lead investor DieBrückenKöpfeX, a fund specializing in innovative startups in the healthcare sector, investors from the existing shareholder base include the Thieme Verlag, Petra Becker (owner of Dr. Becker Klinikgruppe), TECH Beteiligungen and the well-known Berlin business angels Niklas Östberg and Dr. Oliver Pabst, who have already been involved since the pre-seed round. The fresh capital is to be invested primarily in the operational scaling of the platform in Germany in view of a unique market opportunity through the Krankenhauszukunftsgesetz (KHZG), a 4.3 billion euro funding package for the digitalisation in hospitals. Furthermore, the establishment of the business in France as well as the expansion of the platform for a stronger integration of payers will be further advanced.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been supporting Recare since its foundation and has been able to steadily expand and deepen the client relationship since then.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Edzard Rothen (both Venture Capital)

12.01.21

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 2 million financing round of Energy Robotics

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the seed financing round of the Darmstadt-based startup Energy Robotics in the amount of 2 million euros.
Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Energy Robotics offers the first commercially available software platform for mobile AI-based inspection robots.

The hardware-independent software approach enables the company to provide its customers with the best possible fleet of mobile autonomous robots from various third-party vendors, depending on the application area. Currently, 20 Energy Robotics software-equipped mobile robots are already deployed on four continents for remote inspection and monitoring in challenging environments such as the oil & gas, petrochemical, security and energy industries. The young company's numerous pilot and licensed customers include Shell, Dow Chemical, E.ON and Merck.

With the newly acquired capital from a number of high-profile investors, the young company can continue to grow and expand its range in the direction of platform economy and Robot-a-Service. In addition to Earlybird as a European technology investor, multi-supervisory board member Dr. Paul Achleitner, Dr. Gerhard Roiss (former CEO of Austrian oil company OMV), Martin Klässner (e-mobility expert and CEO of the has-to-be GmbH) and Andrej Henkler (business angel and serial entrepreneur; known for investments in companies such as Palantir) are also participating in the financing round.

Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM partner Bastian Reinschmidt was able to gain Earlybird's trust through the ongoing collaboration on Earlybird portfolio companies represented by the firm in financing rounds. BMH BRÄUTIGAM now advises Earlybird on an ongoing basis on investments, most recently on the merger of Everoad and Sennder as well as the investment in Upvest, and can thus further strengthen and expand the client relationship with Earlybird.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben, Raoul Moritz Nissen, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital)

29.12.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations on their investment in Brussels based PropTech Shayp

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations in the € 1.9 million financing round of water consumption analysis proptech Shayp.

The Brussels-based company was founded in 2017 and aims to use artificial intelligence to reduce water consumption in buildings. According to the company's own surveys, huge amounts of water are wasted every day in every third existing property. The reasons for this unnecessary waste include faulty installations, running flushes, defective systems or incorrect user behavior. The resulting costs can account for up to 60% of a water bill without the building users or FM service providers noticing. Globally, the real estate sector accounts for 70% of water consumption and therefore plays a critical role in addressing water scarcity. Shayp requires a single sensor in the building to use artificial intelligence to detect anomalies in water consumption, detect leaks, and stimulate behavioral changes from users. The company's technology is already being used in residential, retail, office and public properties in the city of Brussels, saving the municipality over 50 million liters of water per year. In addition to lead investor SIGNA Innovations, the venture capital arm of the SIGNA Group specializing in proptechs, Belgian venture capitalist Amavi Capital, the startup investment company of the Brussels region (Finance & Invest Brussels) and existing investors participated in the financing round.

Background:

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA and now advises SIGNA Innovations on all investments. The team was supported by the Belgian lawyers Robrecht Coppens and Filip Jorens of the Brussels law firm LOYENS & LOEFF CVBA due to the cross-border reference.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:

Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Niclas Minderjahn (both Venture Capital)

17.12.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises VR Ventures and Schwarzwälder Bote on approximately € 8.5 million financing round of RightNow

Together with Redstone. BMH BRÄUTIGAM provides support concerning the investments of venture capitalist VR Ventures as well as the family office of Schwarzwälder Bote in regards to the recently closed € 8.5 million Series A financing round of the Düsseldorf-based legal tech company RightNow.

Founded in 2017 by Dr. Torben Antretter, Phillip Eischet and Dr. Benedikt Quarch, RightNow buys legal claims from consumers arising from everyday life situations. In the process, customers receive a significant portion of their reimbursement claim within a remarkably short time - RightNow handles the highly automated collection of claims in court at her own risk.
The fresh capital will be used by the founding trio, most recently featured in Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30" list, to fund further growth, expand existing products and enter new markets. With over 350,000 customers who have to date used RightNow to enforce their legal claims, the company is on track to build the leading platform for the purchasing of consumer claims.

Background:
Our partner Bastian Reinschmidt was able to gain Redstone's trust in BMH BRÄUTIGAM through recommendations from the network and cooperation in joint transactions. With the investments of VR Ventures and Schwarzwälder Bote, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has now joined Redstone for the first time. We are very pleased to also accompany Redstone in the future after this challenging and exciting transaction.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Edzard Rothen, Bastian Reinschmidt (all Venture Capital)

10.12.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on € 5 million financing round of Upvest

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the Series A+ financing round of the Berlin-based FinTech company Upvest in the amount of 5 million euros.
Upvest, a Berlin-based company founded in 2017 by Martin Kassing, offers FinTechs throughout Europe a scalable and modular digital infrastructure for the distribution and safekeeping of investment products for private investors.

The so-called securities API aims to increase efficiency, reduce complexity and save costs. So far, the company has already been able to process a transaction volume of 100 million euros via the platform.
With the additional financing from Earlybird, one of the most experienced venture capital investors in Europe, and N26 founder Maximilian Tayenthal, among others, Upvest was able to raise a total of 12 million euros. With the fresh capital, Upvest will apply for a securities trading bank license as well as almost double its team of currently 25 employees by the end of 2021.

Background:
Our partner Bastian Reinschmidt was able to gain Earlybird's trust in BMH BRÄUTIGAM through the ongoing cooperation with Earlybird portfolio companies, which we represented in financing rounds. After advising on the merger of Everoad and Sennder, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has now repeatedly acted on behalf of Earlybird. We are very pleased to further strengthen and expand our client relationship with Earlybird.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt, Till Wansleben, Jonas Kiehne (all Venture Capital), Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

18.11.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises EVP on the acquisition of Principle Healthcare Group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Euro Vital Pharma on the acquisition of Principle Healthcare Group.

Principle Healthcare Group is one of the leading European manufacturers and suppliers of vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements in the private label consumer healthcare sector.

The Group is headquartered in Skipton (UK) and operates its own production facilities in Slovakia through its subsidiary Innopharma.

The Euro Vital Pharma (EVP) Group based in Hamburg, is a portfolio company of the private equity investor capiton. The acquisition of the Principle Healthcare Group represents a further building block in EVP´s European expansion strategy. BMH BRÄUTIGAM provided legal advice for EVP on German law aspects of the transaction. For aspects of foreign law BMH BRÄUTIGAM cooperated with the law firms Shoosmiths (UK) and BBH (Slovakia) from its international network.
The Parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team have been advising EVP since its acquisition by the private equity investor capiton, which is among our renowned clients for over two decades.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Sylko Winkler (Corporate/M&A | Finance), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Corporate/M&A | Management Participation), Till Wansleben (Corporate/M&A)

17.11.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Forto on double-digit million round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the Berlin logistics start-up on the recently concluded Series B-1 financing round in the amount of approximately 50 million US dollars..

Forto, formerly FreightHub, was founded in 2016 by Ferry Heilemann, Erik Muttersbach and Michael Wax in Berlin with the aim of developing a digital freight forwarder for shippers of the 21st century.

With its innovative, scalable, digital logistics technologies and services that go far beyond transportation from A to B, Forto has become the largest digital freight forwarder on the Asia - Europe route in just four years. The easy-to-use and intuitive platform enables the now more than 2,500 customers, including companies such as Viessmann, Miele and Home24, to control and optimize their entire global supply chain themselves. Forto by now employs over 300 people at nine locations.

In addition to new investors Inven Capital (lead investor) and Iris Capital, the current investors including Maersk, Northzone, Cherry Ventures and the Italian venture fund H14 also participated in the financing round.

The fresh capital is primarily intended to drive the development of the company's own supply chain management solutions forward and increase the expansion of its European and Asian presence.

In total, Forto has now raised a total of 126 million US dollars in capital since its foundation.

Background:
The contact to Forto was established through recommendations from our network. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team advised Forto for the first time in this financing round. The company is currently one of the top 20 freight forwarders for trade between Asia and Europe and one of the top 10 startups in Germany.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach, Dr. Alexander Wulff, Katharina Erbe, Bastian Reinschmidt (all Venture Capital)

29.09.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Coveris on the acquisition of paper bag producer HLB|SFV

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Coveris on the acquisition of paper bag producer HLB|SFV.

HLB|SFV with seat in Bruchsal (Germany) manufactures paper bags and paper-based flexibles on reels. Coveris acquires Hettmannsperger & Löchner GmbH & Co. KG and Schäfer GmbH & Co. KG from its previous family owners. The parties agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. The Coveris group headquartered in Vienna (Austria) is a portfolio company of the US based Private Equity investor Sun Capital and is a leading European packaging company that manufactures flexible packaging solutions. BMH BRÄUTIGAM acted as counsel for the Coveris group regarding all legal aspects of the transaction. Background: The contact to the top management of Coveris has existed for many years from their time as manager of the former capiton portfolio company Schur Flexibles. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising Coveris since last year and is pleased to have accompanied the company in this successful transaction. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß, Till Wansleben, Dr. Sylko Winkler (alle Corporate/M&A)

24.09.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises CrossEngage on strategic Merger with GPredictive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based customer data platform provider CrossEngage on the merger with GPredictive, a customer prediction platform.

Since its foundation in 2015, CrossEngage has been able to develop into one of the leading customer data platforms (CDP) and counts a large number of well-known companies such as HelloFresh, DB Fernverkehr, Scout24 Schweiz, Manufactum and Depot among its customer base. By merging with the customer prediction platform GPredictive, which enables the simple, fast and accurate generation of customer behavior predictions, CrossEngage enables its customers to achieve the best possible customer journey across all channels in real time. After the merger, both companies and their teams will be united under the umbrella brand CrossEngage. Both platforms can still be operated separately. However, customers who already use both platforms will benefit from combining the best of both worlds and deeper integration. The future management will be assumed by the founding teams of both companies. Renowned investors such as Project A Ventures, Vorwerk Ventures, Earlybird, Target Partners, IBB Ventures as well as the Facelift founders Benjamin Schroeter and Teja Töpfer are investing a total of 6.5 million euros in the merger. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to have also accompanied its long-standing client CrossEngage on the important strategic merger with Gpredictive. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising CrossEngage since 2015 in all corporate and contract law matters and has assisted the company in various financing rounds. We are pleased to continue to accompany the strong founding team of CrossEngage and Gpredictive, which has now been merged, on its way in the future. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Raoul Moritz Nissen, Katharina Erbe, Dr. Niclas Minderjahn (all Venture Capital), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

09.09.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton on the acquisition of Cedes AG

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised capiton as transaction lead counsel on the acquisition of all shares in Cedes AG.
Cedes AG, headquartered in Landquart, Switzerland, is a leading sensor technology company in the elevator and access solutions industry. Cedes Group generated approximately CHF 55 million in sales in 2019 with 320 employees and subsidiaries in China, USA, Singapore and Japan.

capiton acquires the Cedes Group from ASSA ABLOY, a Sweden based global leader in access solutions. The transaction remains subject to approval from competition authorities. For aspects of foreign law BMH BRÄUTIGAM involved law firms from its international network: Meyerlustenberger Lachenal (Switzerland), Graf von Westphalen (China), Hughes Hubbard & Reed (USA), Luther (Singapore) and SONDERHOFF & EINSEL (Japan).

Background:
The lawyers of BMH BRÄUTIGAM have been advising capiton on the acquisition and sale of companies for more than 20 years, most recently the sale of Trioptics GmbH to publicly listed Jenoptik AG and the acquisition of CNP Group.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Jan-Peter Heyer, Tina Schmidt, Till Wansleben (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Dr. Sylko Winkler (Finance), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Merger Control ǀ Management Participation)

09.09.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Phantasma Labs on Seed Financing Round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based DeepTech start-up Phantasma Labs on its recently concluded seven-digit seed financing round.
The company, which was founded by Ramakrishna Nanjundaiah and Maria Meier, is developing a platform that simulates complex human behaviour in extreme situations for the training of autonomous vehicles.

Since certain extreme situations occur relatively rarely in everyday traffic, it takes a lot of effort to collect the data important for these scenarios in road traffic. The Berlin start-up now wants to simplify and accelerate this process considerably.
The fresh capital comes from lead investor APEX Venture, Signals VC, the VC Fonds Technologie Berlin managed by the IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft, Wi Venture, Entrepreneur First and several top-class Business Angels, and will be used to expand the team and product development.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team advised Phantasma Labs for the first time in the scope of this financing round. Since then, we have been able to further expand and strengthen the client relationship and now advise the company on an ongoing basis in corporate and contract law matters. The mandate came about through recommendations from our network.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Matthias Rüping, Katharina Erbe (both Venture Capital), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

28.08.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises FREO on the acquisition of a development plot in Berlin-Mitte

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised FREO Group, a pan-European investment manager and project developer, on the acquisition of an approximately 1,100 square meter development site at Seydelstraße 14 in Berlin-Mitte in an off-market transaction.

The property, on which a new office building with 3,100 square meter gross floor area (GFA) and 20 underground parking spaces is planned, is located in the immediate neighborhood of Spittelmarkt and the U2 subway station of the same name as well as the Axel Springer headquarters in a mixed-use area.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising FREO-Deutschland for almost four years now and is, as of this year, its General Legal Counsel in ongoing matters. We are very pleased that we have been able to successfully continue and expand the client relationship even after the departure of FREO Managing Director Sebastian Greinacher in 6/2019.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Boris Reschucha, Katja Walkhoff

03.08.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises GoLiving on merger with competitor Habyt

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based coliving provider GoLiving on the merger with competitor Habyt.
The PropTech start-up GoLiving was founded in 2019 by Tobias Brühne and Hasib Samad and is a leader in design and technology.

Habyt was founded in 2017 by Luca Bovone and as Europe's leading coliving provider currently has more than 500 fully furnished rooms in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, and Lisbon. In the course of the strategic merger, both teams will be merged and will continue to work under the name Habyt - the two GoLiving founders will also remain with the company.
The merger strengthens Habyt's position as European market leader and brings the company a step closer to its goal of 10,000 rooms by 2024. Fresh capital comes from the two lead investors P101 and Picus Capital as well as new investor Italia500. In total, Habyt has already raised capital of around 6 million euros.

Background:
The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team has been advising GoLiving since its foundation and is pleased to be able to further expand and strengthen the client relationship.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Janina Möllmann (both Venture Capital)

28.07.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on the acquisition of the CNP Group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised capiton on the acquisition of all shares in the CNP Group.

The transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.
CNP Group is an international manufacturer and distributor of generic drugs with a focus on anti-infectives. In addition to antibiotics, CNP offers over-the-counter drugs and medical devices. The products are mainly manufactured in the two own production sites in Saarland, Germany. With approx. 400 drug registrations and approx. 251 employees, CNP generates sales of over EUR 40 million in 19 countries. In cooperation with the management team and experienced industry experts, capiton plans to use the considerable local production capacities and international presence to further strengthen CNP's leadership in its target markets.

Capiton acquires CNP Group together with the management team and industry experts from the founding family. The transaction will be financed from the resources of the Capiton VI fund, with additional funds reserved to finance both organic and inorganic growth initiatives in Germany and abroad.

Background:
The lawyers of BMH BRÄUTIGAM have been advising capiton on the acquisition and sale of companies for more than 20 years, most recently the sale of Trioptics GmbH to publicly listed Jenoptik AG and the acquisition of DEC Group.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Tina Schmidt (Lead), Jan-Peter Heyer, Till Wansleben (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Dr. Sylko Winkler, Dr. Manuel Holzmann (Finance)

03.07.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Trioptics on the sale to Jenoptik

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the founders of Trioptics and capiton on the sale of the Trioptics Group based in Wedel to Jenoptik AG, a publicylisted company. The deal was announced by Trioptics, capiton and Jenoptik yesterday. The transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

Trioptics was founded in 1991 and has since developed into a world market leader in the field of optical measurement technology with locations in the USA, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, France and Korea. The company's products are used in the manufactoring of smartphones, virtual & augmented reality, medical technology & life science and automotive. Customers include both globally active technology companies and well-known medium-sized companies worldwide. In addition to a broad product portfolio, including automation solutions, Trioptics offers its customers comprehensive services in the field of application development and is strongly involved in their R&D activities.
The company is growing dynamically and generated sales of around 80 million euros in 2019. This positive growth trend was able to continue in the first 6 months of the current year despite the COVID 19 crisis. Jenoptik AG is a globally active technology group with the business units Light & Optics, Light & Production and Light & Safety. The focus of the product & service range is photonics. Key markets include semiconductor equipment, medical technology, automotive and mechanical engineering, transportation, aviation, and security and defense technology. Jenoptik employs over 4,100 people worldwide and generated sales of around 855 million euros in the 2019 fiscal year.

Background:
The lawyers of BMH BRÄUTIGAM have been advising capiton on the acquisition and sale of companies for more than 20 years, most recently on the acquisition of the DEC Group.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Jan-Peter Heyer (Lead), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Manuel Holzmann, Till Wansleben, Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß, Dr. Sylko Winkler (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

26.06.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Doctorly on € 5.6 m. financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based Healthtech startup Doctorly in the recently concluded seed financing round in the amount of € 5.6 million.

The company, led by Samir El-Alami and Nicklas Teicke, is developing a software for medical practices that is supposed to replace the outdated practice management software that has existed since the 1980s and is expected to revolutionize the entire industry. Through the Doctorly Platform, the company provides doctors with state-of-the-art, time-saving and efficient services and tools that have been specifically developed for doctors in private practice. In addition to lead investor Speedinvest, Seedcamp, Target Global, Force Ventures, UNIQA Ventures, Calm/Storm and Plug & Play also participated in the financing round. Background: The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team is pleased to be able to further expand and strengthen the client relationship and has been providing comprehensive advice to Doctorly since its foundation, both in the development of the operative business and in financing rounds. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Katharina Erbe, Janina Möllmann (all Venture Capital)

10.06.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Earlybird on the merger of the LogTech start-ups Everoad and Sennder

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Earlybird Venture Capital on the merger of the French LogTech start-up Everoad with its German counterpart Sennder.

Earlybird joined Everoad in the summer of 2017 as lead investor in the USD 19 million Series A financing round. Following the successful merger, Earlybird is now part of Sennder's renowned group of investors around Accel and Lakestar. The Berlin-based company Sennder has already been able to collect investments of more than 110 million Euros on its way to digitalising the freight forwarding industry, which were increased by a further double-digit million amount in the course of the merger with Everoad. Earlybird partner Fabian Heilemann sees the merger as the creation of a player with the potential to become Europe's first unicorn in the tech logistics industry with the help of further acquisitions. Background: Our partner Bastian Reinschmidt was able to gain Earlybird's trust in BMH BRÄUTIGAM through the ongoing cooperation with Earlybird portfolio companies, which we represented in financing rounds. With the merger of Everoad and Sennder, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has now become active for the first time on the Earlybird side. We are very pleased to continue to support Earlybird after this challenging and exciting transaction. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Matthias Rüping, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Raoul Moriz Nissen, Janina Möllmann, Katharina Erbe (alle Venture Capital), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Kartellrecht)

27.05.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises KREATIZE on growth financing by Austrian investors BCII and Martin Ohneberg

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised KREATIZE, the leading German procurement platform for the mechanical engineering industry, in the context of the recently concluded financing round which ranged in the mid single-digit million area.

KREATIZE was founded in Tübingen in 2015 by Daniel A. Garcia Rodriguez and Simon Tüchelmann. Using the KREATIZE platform, mechanical engineering companies and manufacturing partners can automate and accelerate the complete procurement process of industrial components, from ordering to delivery. The company currently has around 150 customers, including both global leaders and medium-sized companies, from the fields of 3D printing, electromobility, micro-mobility, robotics and automation. With the fresh capital and the support of the Austrian investor B&C Innovation Investment (BCII) and the entrepreneur Martin Ohneberg, the expansion into the neighbouring country of Austria is to be promoted and the market leadership in Europe further expanded. B&C Innovation Investment holds majority stakes in Lenzing, AMAG and Semperit, among others, and is Austria's largest independent industrial holding company. Entrepreneur Martin Ohneberg, CEO of the Vorarlberg automotive supplier HENN, participated in the financing round as a co-investor. Both investors provide KREATIZE with very good access to the new target market through their strong network in the Austrian industry. KREATIZE has so far been supported by several investors already, including Earlybird Venture Capital, and already has raised several million Euros up to now. Background: The team of BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further strengthen the client relationship with KREATIZE. After the first consultation on the takeover of fabrikado at the beginning of the year, the support of the financing round is the second project mandate within a short time. KREATIZE is also being advised by BMH BRÄUTIGAM on an ongoing basis. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Janina Möllmann, Raoul Moriz Nissen (all Venture Capital I M&A)

29.04.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM already represents several clients from the hotel industry

Corona crisis: insurers must pay.
To prevent the corona virus from spreading, all German federal states have ordered extensive shut downs of establishments. This particularly affects hotels and restaurants. Unlike in the retail sector, it is currently not possible to predict when hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars will be able to reopen.

Those that have taken out insurance against the closure of establishments due to risk of infection are now being disappointed by insurers: they refuse to pay the usually agreed daily compensation, on the grounds that the new corona virus is not one of the insured diseases or pathogens and that the ban on accomodation is not a closure of establishments, as it only applies to tourist guests and business travellers can still be accommodated. However, since the insurers themselves know that these arguments are not valid and will hardly convince the courts, they are offering a goodwill payment of 15 % if the customer waives all further claims. We warn against accepting this offer: after a thorough analysis of the insurance terms and conditions of the major insurance companies, we are convinced that they must provide cover for insurance against the risk of infection even if the corona virus is not expressly included in the list of insured "reportable diseases and pathogens". Nor can the insurer reproach a hotelier for continuing to accommodate business customers, so that there can be no question of an official closure. In the case of hotels which, due to their location and facilities, are aimed exclusively or primarily at holiday guests this is downright cynical. We have therefore brought an action against ERGO and Allianz on behalf of our clients. According to our information, other large insurers such as HDI or Signal-Iduna are basically willing to pay.

Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam, Dr. Annette Schwab

BMH BRÄUTIGAM already advises and represents several clients in this field - soon you too?

09.04.20

Business closure due to Corona: Does the insurer have to pay?

Many companies are affected by plant closures ordered by the authorities to prevent the corona virus from spreading.

This applies in particular to hotels and restaurants. Those who believe that they have provided for this case with a business closure insurance are now disappointed by numerous insurers: they refuse any payment or offer only 10-15%, such as Allianz, Generali and AXA. The reason given is that the corona virus is not one of the notifiable and insured diseases or pathogens. In fact, the corona virus is not included in the list of insured diseases or pathogens in the insurers' policy conditions, which are based on the Infection Protection Act. This is usually due to the fact that the corona virus was only included in the list of notifiable diseases and pathogens under the Infection Protection Act in February of this year - and thus after the conclusion of the respective insurance contract. This does not mean, however, that the insurer is not liable. The interpretation of the terms and conditions which are decisive for the insurer's obligation to pay usually shows that the insurer must pay and cannot hide behind its (outdated) clauses. BMH Bräutigam already advises and represents several clients in this field - soon you too? Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam Tel.: +49 30 8 89 19-141 E-Mail: benedikt.braeutigam@bmh-partner.com Dr. Matthias Kuballa Tel.: +49 30 8 89 19-141 E-Mail: matthias.kuballa@bmh-partner.com Dr. Annette Schwab Tel.: +49 30 8 89 19-141 E-Mail: annette.schwab@bmh-partner.com

26.03.20

COVID-19/Corona: Basics for start-ups and founders on governmental measures

The measures of the national corona aid programme are currently primarily concentrating on extending short-time allowance (Kurzarbeitergeld), facilitating the granting of liquidity loans, tax deferrals and the partial suspension of the obligation to file for insolvency. In addition, further measures are being discussed specifically for start-ups, as it has already been recognised that start-ups will mostly not benefit from the liquidity loans.

An overview:

1/ Short-time allowance: The possibility to apply for short-time allowance will be extended. Short-time allowance means, that the Federal Employment Agency takes over part of the salary if the employer reduces the working hours of his employees and correspondingly reduces their salary. The employer is thus able to reduce costs by sending some of his employees on "unpaid compulsory leave". However, short-time working must usually be agreed on individually with the employee.

2/ Liquidity loans: Loans and guarantees can be obtained from the company’s main bank; these loans and guarantees will be secured by the KfW.

3/ Tax advances and deferrals: Usually, there are quarterly advance payments for corporation and trade taxes. However, upon request, the tax office can reduce these advance payments and also defer taxes that have already been assessed by tax assessment without interest or security.

4/ Obligation to file for insolvency: In case of over-indebtedness or illiquidity, the management is obliged to file for insolvency. The German government plans to suspend the obligation to file for insolvency until 30 September 2020. The precondition for suspension will be that the reason for insolvency is based on the effects of the Corona epidemic and that there are reasonable prospects of restructuring on the basis of an application for public assistance or serious financing or restructuring negotiations.

5/ Special measures for start-ups: The federal and state governments have recognised that assistance through liquidity loans is not an option for many start-ups, as they would only be able to obtain loans on poor terms from their main bank, regardless of the Corona crisis. Additional measures for start-ups are therefore being discussed. We are in exchange with other advisors and decision-makers. Most recently, the Berlin Senate has decided on an emergency aid programme for small and micro enterprises with a maximum of five employees, under which € 5,000 emergency aid can be applied for (possibly several times).

We also recommend to take a look at the insurance portfolio to check whether it possibly covers insurance claims in the event of epidemics.

Of course, we also advise on all corporate and insolvency law issues of the current situation, in particular on the obligations of the shareholders and managing directors in the crisis.

Any questions or need advice? Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time by email or phone:

Task Force BMH BRÄUTIGAM:

Dr. Julian Schroeder phone: +49 30 8 89 19-153 or email: julian.schroeder@bmh-partner.com
Till Wansleben phone: +49 30 8 89 19-176 or email till.wansleben@bmh-partner.com

25.03.20

BMH notaries continue to notarise!

Even in the current situation, BMH BRÄUTIGAM notaries will continue to work for you.

According to the current version of the SARS-CoV-2 Containment Regulation, notarisations are still permitted, even in the presence of the parties involved.

We have taken the necessary precautions in our offices to avoid contagion.

In addition to personal participation, we also offer notarisations with our notarial staff (on the basis of a power of attorney or without power of attorney with subsequent approval). In the case of a notarisation with our notarial staff, a connection can be made by telephone/zoom etc.

For subsequent approvals that take place in our offices, the costs during the COVID-19 pandemic can be reduced so that no additional costs are incurred.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our notaries:

Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam, Dr. Johannes Meinel, Jan-Peter Heyer, Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Alexander Nast
To the current version of the SARS-CoV-2 Containment Regulation

20.03.20

Corona – infection of your contracts?

The corona pandemic not only has personal consequences for each individual, but also far-reaching economic consequences. Events are cancelled, deliveries and services can no longer be provided. What rights and obligations do the contractual partners have under these exceptional circumstances?

Simply stating that a case of force majeure exists often does not help. Every case is special. Nevertheless, guidelines result from the law and case law practice:

Special contractual provisions on force majeure (so-called force majeure clauses)

The first look is always directed at the underlying contract, which in principle takes precedence over the statutory provisions. Once the parties have determined when a case of force majeure exists and what effects this has on their mutual rights and obligations, some clarity has already been gained. However, the prerequisites of the regulation must be examined in detail in each case, as well as its effectiveness. This is because unilateral regulations in general terms and conditions can be ineffective due to unreasonable disadvantage to the contractual partner. Then the legal provisions apply.

Claims for remuneration

If it is impossible for one party to perform the service owed, the other party is generally not required to pay for it either. The music group that cannot perform at the cancelled event is not entitled to the agreed fee. The forwarding agent, who cannot deliver his goods due to a border closure without exception, also goes away empty-handed. It becomes complicated if one of the contractual partners has caused the impossibility of performance or if the performance itself is still possible but the contractual partner is no longer interested in it. The hotel room booked for a congress can usually still be provided even if the congress is cancelled. In such cases, the contract may have to be adjusted or cancelled due to a disruption in the basis of the business.

Claims for damages

Only those who have at least negligently caused financial losses to others shall be liable for damages. The organizer is therefore not obliged to reimburse the exhibitor for hotel costs that have become pointless if the responsible authorities have prohibited the event. However, not all cases are so clear. In many cases, the authorities have made only non-binding recommendations - if at all - and left it up to those affected to decide whether to close down their businesses or cancel events.

There are no general answers to these and many other questions - but there are answers!
Do you need a quick and economical solution for your case at short notice?
Send us an e-mail or give us a call!

Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam
Tel.: +49 30 8 89 19-141
E-Mail: benedikt.braeutigam@bmh-partner.com

Dr. Matthias Kuballa
Tel.: +49 30 8 89 19-141
E-Mail: matthias.kuballa@bmh-partner.com

Dr. Annette Schwab
Tel.: +49 30 8 89 19-141
E-Mail: annette.schwab@bmh-partner.com

25.02.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations on entering into the Berlin Startup store2be

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations on a seven-figure financing round of the Berlin startup store2be.

The Berlin online platform, which was founded in 2015, specialises in brokering free retail space for advertising purposes to companies and has obviously thus discovered a gap in the market. Department stores in particular often have the problem that the sometimes huge areas cannot be continuously used profitably. Under the management of the three founders Sven Wissebach, Peter Gundel and Emil Kabisch, the company is the leading marketer of promotion, pop-up and special offer space in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with currently almost 3,500 bookable locations in shopping malls, airports, train stations, retailers or public spaces. store2be receives a service fee for each rental - the actual rent for the event space flows directly into the stationary retail trade. store2be has only recently been awarded the European Retail Innovation Prize. In addition to the brokering of retail space, store2be analyses the businesses and by using a WLAN-based technology to measure reach, customer contacts, interactions or length of stay makes the success of live marketing measurable for the first time. In addition to the previous investors Project A Ventures, Hevella Capital and the IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft (via VC Fonds Kreativwirtschaft Berlin) SIGNA Innovations, the venture capital arm of the SIGNA Group, is now also participating in the financing round. So far the company has been able to raise around seven million euros this way. Background: The contact to SIGNA Innovations has been established through our activities at VeeCee Berlin, a network of young VC investment managers, as well as through our real estate practice, which has been advising the SIGNA Group on real estate and M&A transactions for many years. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Janina Erichsen (all Venture Capital)

12.02.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Caspar Health on approximately € 5 m. financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin eHealth company Caspar Health in the context of the recently concluded financing round in the amount of € 5.3 m.

The young company, founded by Maximilian Michels, Benjamin Pochhammer and Maximilian Wadenfels , offers medical institutions the opportunity to provide their patients with digital therapy, i.e. independent of time and place and beyond the hospital stay. This digital form of therapy has been approved by several pension insurance institutions in the fields of rehabilitation, prevention and aftercare and is already being used by more than 100 clinics. With the fresh capital, Caspar Health intends to further expand its market leadership in Germany in the field of digital therapy. To this end, the product in particular is to be developed further and new care models for clinics and their patients are to be created. In addition to the existing investors Atlantic Labs, Think.Health Ventures and Helmut C. Nanz, new investor Ananda Impact Ventures also participated in the financing round as lead investor. Background: The contact to Caspar Health was established through recommendations from the market. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Alexander Wulff, Janina Erichsen (all Venture Capital)

06.02.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises KREATIZE on the acquisition of fabrikado

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised KREATIZE, the leading German procurement platform for the mechanical engineering industry, on the acquisition of competitor fabrikado.

KREATIZE was founded by Daniel A. Garcia Rodriguez and Simon Tüchelmann in Tübingen in 2015. The KREATIZE platform enables mechanical engineering companies and manufacturing partners to handle the complete procurement process of industrial components, from ordering to delivery, in an automated and therefore accelerated way. The company's customers include Hidden Champions and leading medium-sized businesses in the fields of 3D printing, electromobility, micro-mobility, robotics and automation. By merging with fabrikado, KREATIZE is specifically expanding its product portfolio and thus setting a milestone on the way to becoming the leading company for the digitalization of the mechanical engineering industry. KREATIZE is supported by venture capitalists such as Earlybird and Atlantic Labs as well as Gisbert Rühl, CEO of Europe's largest steel trader Klöckner, and has already been able to collect 9 million euros. Background: The contact to KREATIZE was established through recommendations from the market. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team is pleased to continue to accompany KREATIZE as their legal counsel after the takeover of fabrikado has been completed. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Raoul Moriz Nissen (both Venture Capital I M&A), Dr. Sebastian Krieg (Tax)

28.01.20

BMH Bräutigam advises capiton on series E investment in AlphaPet Ventures and acquisition of Healthfood24 GmbH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the financial investor capiton AG on the acquisition of a share in AlphaPet Ventures as part of a series E financing round. In this transaction capiton is acquiring 36% of the AlphaPet shares with the capiton V fund, thereby financing the acquisition of the Healthfood24 GmbH by AlphaPet Ventures.

The Munich-based AlphaPet Ventures GmbH is a leading online provider for premium pet food. The Leipzig-based Healthfood24 GmbH stands for species-appropriate pet food of the highest quality and is especially known for its two premium brands Wolfsblut and Wildcat. With this acquisition, AlphaPet Ventures will further expand and strengthen its position as a leading premium supplier of healthy pet food in both Germany and Europe. With 125 employees and nearly triple-digit million sales, the company positions itself as a strong player in the market. The transaction is still subject to approval by the relevant cartel offices. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton for over a decade on the acquisition and sale of companies, most recently on the acquisition of the Dec Group. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Matthias Rüping, Katharina Erbe, Dr. Julian Schroeder (all Venture Capital), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß, Tina Schmidt, Dr. Sylko Winkler (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Janina Erichsen, Raoul Moriz Nissen (beide Venture Capital), Dr. Manuel Holzmann (Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

14.01.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM appoints two new partners

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has appointed two new partners at the turn of the year. Bastian Reinschmidt, LL.M. (Edinburgh) (Venture Capital │Corporate Litigation) has joined the partnership after only one year in the role of salary partner and five years of working for BMH. Dr. Matthias Kuballa (Litigation) has been appointed salary partner.

Within a very short time Bastian Reinschmidt has built up a considerable network in the venture capital scene. Within the firm, he poses the interface between the litigation and venture capital practices and has significantly developed this interface in recent years. Dr. Matthias Kuballa has etablished himself alongside Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam and Johannes Wolf as an outstanding litigator with proven expertise in liability, competition and corporate law. Within the last few years he has been able to gain a considerable wealth of experience and very successfully manages a large number of major mandates. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Matthias Kuballa

14.01.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises CoachHub on financing with a total volume of 21 m. US dollar in 2019

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the leading talent development platform CoachHub on the raising of an additional 4 m US dollar investment as part of its Series A financing. The company has therefore increased the sum raised in 2019 to a total of 21 m US dollar.

The digital AI-based coaching platform was founded in 2018 by the serial entrepreneurs Yannis and Matti Niebelschütz and makes it possible for companies worldwide to develop a personalised, intuitive and effective coaching programme for employees at all levels. The global pool of more than 500 certified business coaches in 42 countries on six continents with coaching sessions in over 30 languages covers a variety of disciplines, among them time management, stress management and leadership skills. The various renowned customers include companies such as Generali, Bosch Rexroth, SoundClound and HelloFresh. With the ending of 2019, CoachHub has gained over 75 new customers in 14 countries in the last year alone. In addition to the current investors HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, Partech and Speedinvest x and RTP Global, new investor Signals Venture Capital also participated in the financing round. Background: The contact to CoachHub was established through recommendations from the market. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team is pleased to further expand and strengthen the client relationship and has been advising CoachHub since its foundation, in particular on all financing rounds that have taken place so far. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Julian Schroeder (both Lead), Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Venture Capital)

06.01.20

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN DEC GROUP

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised longstanding client capiton AG on the acquisition of a share-holding interest in Dietrich Engineering Consultants Group (“Dec“ or “Dec Group“).

The Swiss based internationally operating Dec Group is a provider of self-contained powder handling systems with a focus on the pharma industry. Dec´s custom-built systems enable the safe and sterile transport of hazardous and explosive powders, increasing safety, hygiene, containment and productivity of the production. In addition to its headquarters in Switzerland, the group has subsidiaries and joint ventures in Poland, Germany, India, China, UK, Ireland and the USA. The closing of the transaction is still subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising capiton for over a decade on the acquisition and sale of companies, most recently on the acquisition of Euro Vital Group. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Tina Schmidt (Lead), Jan-Peter Heyer, Dr. Manuel Holzmann, Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

19.12.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Teraki on € 10 m Series A Financing Round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin AI startup Teraki on a Series A financing round of about € 10 m (11 m US-dollars).

The company, which was founded by Daniel Richart and Markus Kopf in 2014, is one of the leading providers of edge processing software in the area of IoT (Internet of Things) and the automotive industry and, among other things, works together with the software giants Microsoft and Infineon. Teraki‘s software makes the data processing in the electronics for IoT systems, especially in cars, many times faster and more accurate – while simultaneously reducing the data transfer volume. Involved in this financing round, with which the company was already able to collect funds in the amount of about € 14.6 m (16.3 m US-dollars), were, amongst others, Horizon Ventures (invested in N26, Spotify, Zoom), State Auto Labs Fund, Bright Success Capital, Castor Ventures and a leading Japanese tech company, as well as the existing investors Paladin Capital Group and Innogy Ventures. The fresh capital is to be used primarily to drive forward activities in the automotive industry as well as to support the expansion in areas like IoT, drone and robot technology. In addition, the current team of 40 is expected to grow further with the planned expansion to the USA and Asia. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising Teraki since 2014 and is pleased to further expand and strengthen the client relationship. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Bastian Reinschmidt, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Dr. Matthias Rüping, Moritz Nissen (all Venture Capital)

05.12.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations on Series A Financing Round of the PropTech Startup realxdata

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations as part of a mid single-digits million figure series A financing round of the Berlin PropTech startup realxdata.

The realxdata GmbH is one of the technologically leading companies for AI- and smart data-supported real estate market and portfolio analyses. The company, which has already received several awards, combines the know-how of a technology company with the specialist knowledge from the real estate and investment sector and has set itself the goal of making its customers the best-informed market participants with innovative products and analysis tools. The newly acquired capital is to be used primarily for the further development and expansion of its own analysis platform, the development of AI-supported forecast models and the increase of customer business in Germany. In addition, the current team of thirty is to be massively expanded. As the venture arm of SIGNA Holding, SIGNA Innovations takes the lead in this financing round. The French company Ventech, one of the leading European venture capital companies, also participated in the financing round. Background: The contact to SIGNA Innovations has been established through our activities at VeeCee Berlin, a network of young VC investment managers, as well as through our real estate practice, which has been advising the SIGNA Group on real estate and M&A transactions for many years. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Venture Capital)

04.11.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is now also handling tax law

In March of this year, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has expanded the firm‘s range of advisory services with Dr. Sebastian Krieg to also cover tax law.

In this challenging legal field, BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises primarily on VC investments, employee incentive and participation schemes, corporate setup, transformation and restructuring and real estate transactions, also with respect to international tax implications. The services include procedural and criminal tax law expertise, such as representing clients before tax authorities and courts and preparing voluntary tax disclosures to avoid criminal prosecution. Dr. Sebastian Krieg is a specialist tax lawyer and certified tax advisor. Before joining BMH BRÄUTIGAM, he acquired almost ten years of expertise in a major international law firm and a renowned southern German law firm.

27.09.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations on Series A Financing Round of Startup Building Radar

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations on 5 mio Series A financing round of the Munich-based Startup Building Radar.

Building Radar was founded in 2015 by Paul Indinger, Leopold Neuerburg and Raoul Friedrich and offers a B2B platform based on an AI-based algorithm with which suppliers and service providers (such as Vitra, Viessmann or Linde) can identify new construction projects worldwide at an early stage - and thus ahead of their competitors. Building Radar intends to use the fresh capital to further refine its algorithm, optimise the search and expand into new markets. Signa Innovations invested i.a. together with Proptech1 Ventures, Coparion, Alexander Samwer (Picus Capital) and Ferdinand Oetker (FO Holding). Background: The contact to SIGNA Innovations has been established through our activities at VeeCee Berlin, a network of young VC investment managers, as well as through our real estate practice, which has been advising the SIGNA Group on real estate and M&A transactions for many years. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Matthias Rüping (both Venture Capital)

20.09.19

Federal Fiscal Court confirms case law on so-called Combined Contracts

In a legal dispute between a Berlin group of house builder owners and the local tax office, the Federal Fiscal Court has confirmed the limits already drawn in 2013 for the (excessive) application of the principles of the so called Combined Contracts in the assessment of real estate transfer tax.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM had already represented the client before the fiscal court. Since the emergence of the concept of the builders group, the diverse corporate structures of such companies have repeatedly led to problems and disputes with tax offices in the assessment of the real estate transfer tax. The Second Senate of the Federal Fiscal Court (II R 28/15) has now confirmed that the application of the principles of Combined Contracts presupposes that the persons acting on the seller's side are obliged to change the physical condition of the property. I.e. the question whether the property as well as the other services and benefits in kind were offered combinedly by a sellers’ side is just as irrelevant in the absence of a production or redevelopment obligation on the part of the seller as is whether the contracts are objectively closely related and whether the purchaser was legally or even only economically bound with regard to the certain defined development when the property purchase contract was concluded. If the seller is not obliged to change the physical condition, the value of the developed property cannot be used as a basis for RETT. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Corporate), Heinz Winkler (Litigation)

04.09.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises LexFox on million euro financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based LegalTech Startup LexFox on a mid-seven-figure financing round.

LexFox was founded in late 2016 by lawyer Dr. Daniel Halmer and started initially with the platform wenigermiete.de, a service to enforce the rent control. The portal now handles claims worth several million euros per year and conducts several thousand court proceedings in parallel. The LexFox consumer platform also includes the two online portals mehrabfindung.de and weniger-internetkosten.de. The financing round, in which the two VC funds Earlybird and Target Global participated, is one of the first major VC investments in the area of LegalTech in Germany and the first investment of the two investors in a B2C LegalTech Startup in Europe. With the investment, LexFox wants to establish a universal umbrella brand for consumer rights and integrate the previously independent services for rental, Internet and employment contracts as well as new offers. In addition, expansion into other European markets is planned.
Background:
The contact to LexFox has been established through the network of Dr. Julian Schroeder and due to the strong reputation of BMH BRÄUTIGAM in the areas of LegalTech and Venture Capital.
Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Julian Schroeder (both Venture Capital)

29.08.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises CoachHub on € 6 m. financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based Startup CoachHub on a € 6 m. financing round.

The coaching platform was founded in 2018 by the brothers Yannis and Matti Niebelschütz. Its aim is to provide managers and employees with access to coaching via an app, regardless of time and place. Three coaches are proposed to each user via an AI-based coach matching, from which one can then be selected. The platform already has more than 300 certified coaches from areas such as leadership, time or stress management. The pool of top coaches enables coaching in 30 different languages. Among the numerous well-known customers of the startup are Generali, Cargill, Hanseatic Bank, SoundCloud and HelloFresh. The capital collected from the investors HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, Partech and Speedinvest x is intended, among other things, to promote internationalisation in Great Britain and Scandinavia.
Background:
The contact to CoachHub has been established through recommendations from the market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with CoachHub.
Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Julian Schroeder, Dr. Matthias Rüping (both Venture Capital)

29.08.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises CoachHub on € 10 m. financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin startup CoachHub on a € 10 m. financing round. The company is thus increasing its financing from the recently acquired € 6 m. to now € 16 m.

The digital AI-based coaching platform was founded in 2018 by the serial entrepreneurs Yannis and Matti Niebelschütz and supports companies in the implementation of personalised coaching for employees at all levels. A global coaching pool of more than 400 certified coaches covers a variety of disciplines, among them time management, stress management and leadership skills. The more than 100 renowned clients iclude companies such as Generali, Bosch Rexroth, SoundClound and HelloFresh. The newly acquired funds are to be used for the expansion in all European markets as well as the expansion of the coaching lab, a European Think Tank for business coaching. With currently 70 employees, CoachHub is already the largest provider of digital coaching in Europe. The number of employees is expected to grow to 200 by mid-2020. In addition to the current investors HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, Partech and Speedinvest, new investor RTP Global also participated in the financing round. Background: The contact to CoachHub was established through recommendations from the market. The BMH BRÄUTIGAM team is pleased to further expand and strengthen the client relationship and has been advising CoachHub since its foundation, in particular on all financing rounds that have taken place so far. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Venture Capital)

20.08.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations on Series A Financing Round of PropTech Startup Zenhomes

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations on USD 14.5 mio Series A financing round of the Berlin-based PropTech Startup Zenhomes.

Zenhomes was founded in 2016 by Jannes Fischer and offers digital solutions for the management of residential property under the brand vermietet.de. Currently, vermietet.de has 75,000 users and offers digital services ranging from tender procedures to applicant management, utility bills and return calculations to the commissioning of craftsmen. After landlords and service providers, in the next step it is planned to get tenants to use the platform as well. In the coming year, internationalisation is also on the agenda. In addition to the renewed participation of current investors Swiss Life, Deutsche Bank, Axa and Main Incubator, a number of well-known new investors will be joining in. In addition to Signa Innovations, the energy corporation EWE, Momeni Digital Ventures and Christian Angermayer's Family Office as well as the Aperion Investment Group are also participating.
Background:
The contact to SIGNA Innovations has been established through our activities at VeeCee Berlin, a network of young VC investment managers, as well as through our real estate practice, which has been advising the SIGNA Group on real estate and M&A transactions for many years. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA.
Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Matthias Rüping (both Venture Capital)

16.08.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations in Series A Financing Round of the PropTech Startup Office App

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations on the € 4.3m Series A financing round of the Dutch PropTech startup Office App.

The Amsterdam-based office management platform was founded in 2015 by Thijs van der Burgt and is currently used by well-known clients such as LaSalle, UBS, BNP Paribas, Nuveen, HPE and Dell in 10 European countries. Office App offers its users a wide range of functionalities and services, from booking rooms, desks and parking spaces to access control and maintenance requests. By bundling a wide range of tenant- and employee-oriented services, Office App aims to increase employee satisfaction while giving office managers and landlords access to valuable information to continuously improve the working environment. In addition to SIGNA Innovations, the venture capital arm of the SIGNA Group, Join Capital and Pi Labs participated in the financing round.
Background:
The contact to SIGNA Innovations has been established through our activities at VeeCee Berlin, a network of young VC investment managers, as well as through our real estate practice, which is advising the SIGNA Group on real estate and M&A transactions for many years. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA.
Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Matthias Rüping (both Venture Capital)

16.08.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises SIGNA Innovations in Series A Financing Round of the PropTech Startup Comgy

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Innovations on the Series A financing round of the Berlin-based PropTech startup Comgy.

SIGNA Innovations was the lead investor in the round. In addition to SIGNA Innovations, EWE's venture arm also invested in Comgy. Founded in 2017 by Ruben Haas, Lukas Krauter and Simon Stürtz, Comgy specializes in digitizing the measurement, visualization and billing of heat, water and electric power consumption in real estate and is active throughout Germany from its Berlin location. Deutsche Wohnen is one of the existing shareholders. As the venture capital arm of the SIGNA Group, SIGNA Innovations invests in innovative ideas, platforms and business models related to real estate. In addition to interesting returns, SIGNA Innovations pursues the goal of making SIGNA an innovation leader. With the investment of SIGNA Innovations, Comgy has not only been able to generate fresh capital for further expansion and the establishment of scalable structures in sales, but also, according to CEO Ruben Haas, to gain a strong partner with regard to further entrepreneurial development. With the co-investment of the energy and telecommunications provider EWE, the strategy of digitizing the (sub)metering market is to be driven forward.
Background:
The contact to SIGNA Innovations has been established through our activities at VeeCee Berlin, a network of young VC investment managers, as well as through our real estate practice, which is advising the SIGNA Group on real estate and M&A transactions for many years. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further expand and strengthen its client relationship with SIGNA.
Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Matthias Rüping (both Venture Capital)

01.08.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Berlin-based AI startup XAIN on strategic investment by Dominik Schiener

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based startup XAIN on the entry of IOTA co-founder Dominik Schiener.

With Dominik Schiener, a visionary strategic investor has joined the group of investors of the AI startup, which was founded in 2017 by Leif-Nissen Lundbæk, Felix Hahmann and Prof. Michael Huth and in which Earlybird Venture Capital was the main investor in the seed financing round in 2018. XAIN, short for eXpandable AI Network, is a Berlin-based technology company specializing in privacy solutions for artificial intelligence. Companies benefit from XAIN's distributed approach to machine learning, which stands for optimal data protection, security and efficiency. IOTA, the crypto currency co-founded by Dominik Schiener, is one of the world's largest digital means of payment. With his investment, the internationally well-connected Schiener wants to further advance XAIN's technology and offer strategic support. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to have also advised XAIN on this second financing round and strengthen the client relationship. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is also providing ongoing legal services to XAIN in corporate and operational matters.
Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM:
Bastian Reinschmidt (Lead), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Annette Schwab, Alexander Sustal (all Venture Capital)

01.07.19

HANDELSBLATT: BMH BRÄUTIGAM LAWYERS AGAIN RECOMMENDED

This year again, the Handelsblatt has determined the Best Lawyers Ranking for German lawyers from various fields of law who are recommended by colleagues.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam, expert in litigation, have been recommended for the eight time in a row. https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/dienstleister/best-lawyers-die-besten-anwaelte-und-kanzleien-deutschlands-2019/24453148.html

03.06.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on the sale of Institut Kirchhoff Berlin GmbH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the owner of Institut Kirchhoff Berlin GmbH on the sale of the company to the French diagnostics group Mérieux NutriSciences with headquarters in Chicago.

Based in Berlin, Institut Kirchhoff specializes in the analysis of foods. By way of the transaction the founders have not only settled the succession issue but even opened up new perspectives for the development of the business. To the publicly listed Mérieux NutriSciences group the acquisition establishes a new centre of competence in the field of food analysis and broadens its presence in the important German market. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

02.05.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Teraki on € 2 m. financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the Berlin Startup Teraki on a financing round with a volume of € 2 m.

The company, which is being courted by investors, develops software for the automotive industry which reduces the amount of data collected via the car’s sensors many times over. Prestigious investors of this financing round are Horizons Ventures from Hongkong and the US fund American Family Ventures among others. Horizons Ventures is backed by multi-billionaire Li Ka-shing, who has already invested his capital in startups like N26 and Wefox among other things. In the recent past the two Berlin founders of Teraki, Daniel Richart and Markus Kopf, managed to collect a capital in the amount of € 2.6 m with the help of investors like the Paladin Capital Group, GPS Ventures and hub:raum. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising Teraki since 2014. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Venture Capital)

25.04.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Moonfare on € 25 m. financing round

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the Berlin FinTech startup Moonfare on a € 25 m. financing round.

The company, which was founded in 2017 by Alexander Argyros, makes it possible for private investors and family offices to invest into large private equity funds with “tickets” starting as low as € 100 k.. Within a short period of time, Moonfare has managed to accumulate more than € 80 m. of assets under management. In addition to known private investors (such as e.g. Thomas Ebeling, former ProSiebenSat.1 Media- board member and Henrik Kraft, former partner at private equity fund KKR) shareholders in the startup include 100+ PE industry insiders and other international entrepreneurs. With the fresh capital, the company wants to expand its business in Europe. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising Moonfare since its foundation in 2017 and is looking forward to further develop the client relationship. On our recommendation Dr. Matthias Santelmann from Dentons acted as notary in this transaction. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Julian Schroeder (all Venture Capital)

05.04.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Audience Serv on acquisition of Karma Response

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the international marketing specialist Audience Serv on the acquisition of Karma Response.

The enterprise, which was founded by David Pikart in 2008, has more than 50 employees in different locations in Europe and Asia and in addition to being successfully active in all relevant areas of online marketing, works on the perfect method for target groups segmenting by using machine learnings and artificial intelligence. The e-mail marketing specialist Karma Response, who is also internationally active, was founded in 2017 by Daniele Sampaolesi and Carlo Biondo Amat. The young enterprise which is located in Barcelona has developed its own innovative approach to the execution of automated campaigns. By taking over Karma Response, Audience Serv manages to further strengthen its strong position on the European market as well as to round off the portfolio of the group. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to further develop its client relationship with Audience Serv as they have been advising the group on all legal matters since 2017. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt (Lead), Dr. Annette Schwab, Alexander Sustal (all Venture Capital)

30.01.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES ORKILA CAPITAL ON INVESTMENT IN CANNAMEDICAL PHARMA GMBH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the US venture capital fund Orkila Capital on the EUR 15 Million investment in Cannamedical Pharma GmbH.

Cannamedical Pharma GmbH is active in the highly dynamic distribution market of medical cannabis. In 2017, the use of cannabis for medical reasons was legalized in Germany. Since then, cannabis may be prescribed by doctors for treatment of more than 80 diseases and may be sold by pharmacies. Cannamedical Pharma GmbH is one of the distribution pioneers in this market and has a worldwide network of suppliers. In the course of this transaction, Orkila Capital obtains a significant minority shareholding in Cannamedical Pharma GmbH. Orkila Capital is an established US venture capital fund with focus on the technology, entertainment and consumer market industries. Orkila Capital’s portfolio includes the Danish microbrewery company Mikkeller and the footwear and accessories company FEIT. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Orkila Capital for the first time in this deal. Over the last years, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has continually expanded its venture capital practice which advises both reputable founders and German and international investors. Currently, BMH BRÄUTIGAM’s venture capital team consists of seven lawyers. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Matthias Rüping, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Dr. Annette Schwab, Dr. Alexander Wulff (all Venture Capital)

30.01.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CROSSENGAGE ON SERIES-A FINANCING ROUND

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin enterprise CrossEngage, which specialises in marketing technology, on the closing of a medium-sized seven-figure Series-A financing. As a customer data and engagement platform CrossEngage combines a real-time capable platform for customer data with cross-channel campaign management and as such allows for individual and consistent brand communication. Numerous prominent companies (among them the DB Vetrieb GmbH, HelloFresh, Limango or Finanzcheck) are already relying on the Berlin digital start-up.

The current investors Project A, Earlybird, Vorwerk Ventures, Cavalry Ventures, 42CAP und VC Fonds Kreativwirtschaft have increased their shares in this financing round. Furthermore the circle of investors grew with the British growth investor Columbia Lake Partners joining in. With the fresh capital CrossEngage will advance product development, like e.g. AI-based campaign management, as well as the expansion in Europe. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to have further deepened its client relationship with CrossEngage and to have repeatedly assisted with a financing round in addition to providing ongoing advice. The experienced founders Manuel Hinz and Dr. Markus Wübben succeeded in convincing prominent customers and renowned investors alike of the business model. Over the past year, CrossEngage was able to successfully strengthen its excellent position in the highly competitive and booming Berlin market for marketing technology. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Bastian Reinschmidt (Lead), Tina Schmidt, Alexander Sustal (all Venture Capital)

15.01.19

BMH BRÄUTIGAM APPOINTS TWO NEW PARTNERS

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has appointed two new partners at the turn of the year. After working for the firm for nearly five years and only becoming a salary partner a year ago, Dr. Alexander Wulff (Venture Capital | Corporate Law) has joined the partnership as equity partner as of January 1, 2019. Bastian Reinschmidt, LL.M. (Edinburgh) (Venture Capital | Corporate Litigation) has been appointed salary partner.

Dr. Alexander Wulff contributed significantly to the current success of our strong Venture Capital department. In addition to successfully strengthening already existing client relationships, he also continously expanded our client base in the field of transactions – especially in our core business financing rounds – and played a considerable part in solidifying BMH BRÄUTIGAM’s reputation as a strong partner of founders and investors. In addition to being an expert in corporate litigation, in recent years Bastian Reinschmidt has also established himself very successfully in Venture Capital counselling and distinguished himself through extensive and effective acquisition successes. He represents the interface between the Venture Capital and Litigation department of our firm. After the promotion of Alexander Nast to equity partner in the previous year, this shows without a doubt the success of our strategy to grow from within our own ranks as well as the exceptional quality of our own young talents.

16.11.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON INVESTMENT IN EURO VITAL PHARMA GMBH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised longstanding client capiton AG on the investment in Euro Vital Pharma GmbH. In addition to the contract negotiation, the range of BMH BRÄUTIGAM’s consultancy included the areas of management participation, financing, merger control and warranty / indemnity insurance.

Euro Vital Pharma (EVP), which is based in Hamburg, is a pharmaceutical company and over the last 25 years has become the market leader in the German OTC Private Label Retail market. EVP develops, manufactures and markets healthcare products including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nutritional supplements. Thanks to its comprehensive product portfolio and own Marketing Authorizations, EVP can support its customers beyond the supply of products in their strategy and development of an own store-brand offering. Customers include all leading drugstore and grocery retailers. Based on its leading market position, capiton is planning to grow the business both organically in Germany and abroad, as well as through targeted acquisitions. BMH BRÄUTIGAM had lately advised capiton on the acquisition of a participation in BWTS, Raith, ISPIN AG as well as on several exits. capiton has experience in the implementation of buy & build concepts, for example the set-up of Schur Flexibles group on which also BMH BRÄUTIGAM was advisor to capiton. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Jan-Peter Heyer, Dr. Sylko Winkler (lead), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauss (et al. merger control), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

17.08.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES FREO ON THE ACQUISITION OF A DEVELOPMENT LAND AT THE TECHNOLOGY LOCATION UNTERSCHLEISSHEIM

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised the FREO Group, a pan-European investment manager and project developer, on the acquisition of an approximately 60,000 square meter development site at Landshuter Strasse 28 in Unterschleissheim as part of an off-market transaction.

As part of the project development, a high-quality commercial use for an office building with approx. 80,000 m² of gross floor area is planned for the property. Planned start of construction is in Q4 this year. The office location Unterschleissheim is characterized by its proximity to Munich and is currently developing into a leading technology and service location on the outskirts of Munich. In addition to FREO, other globally active companies such as BMW and Linde are also banking on the promising location. The financing of the project is secured by HSH Nordbank. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. In addition to BMH BRÄUTIGAM, SKW Schwarz Berlin (Dr. Jankowski, known from the market) and GSK München (Dr. Würfel) provided advice. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Boris Reschucha, Alexander Nast (both lead), Bernd Löprich, Dr. Sylko Winkler, Dr. Daniel Moussa

01.08.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises on the sale of SEECON INGENIEURE GMBH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the owner of seecon Ingenieure GmbH on the sale to the Italian engineering consultancy group NET Engineering International.

Headquartered in Leipzig, seecon specializes in engineering consultancy services in the infrastructure sector in the greater Leipzig area as well as Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The transaction opens up new opportunities for seecon's business. The Padua-based NET International Group, which also includes engineering consultants Spiekermann GmbH Consulting Engineers in Düsseldorf, is broadening its presence in Germany with the acquisition.

23.07.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON THE MERGER OF GEMACO GROUP AND SUPREMIA INTERNATIONAL

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised longstanding client capiton AG on the merger of Gemaco Group, one of its portfolio companies, and Supremia International.

Supremia, headquartered near London, is a leading company in promotional packaging and point-of-sale material with subsidiaries in the USA, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Russia and Mexico. In 2017 approximately 130 employees produced a turnover of more than $ 70 million. The merger of Gemaco Group and Supremia International creates one of the world's leading providers for promotional items. The new company „GSP“ is generating an estimated turnover of nearly $ 200 million with more than 400 employees. The management team of GSP is consisting of managers from both companies. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The parties agreed to maintain confidentiality regarding the detailed conditions of the transaction. BMH BRÄUTIGAM had lately advised capiton on the investment in ISPIN AG, a participation in wind turbine service provider BWTS and the acquisition of Raith GmbH as well as on several exits. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Tina Schmidt, Jan-Peter Heyer (both lead), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß, Dr. Sylko Winkler, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

06.06.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises emerging blockchain and AI startup XAIN on record seed financing round with Earlybird Ventures and strategic asian investors

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin-based blockchain and AI startup XAIN in almost EUR 6 million seed financing round.

XAIN, originated as an Oxford University spin-off, was founded in February 2017 by Leif-Nissen Lundbæk and Felix Hahmann. XAIN’s mission is to make blockchain technology mature for deployment at the enterprise level, providing production readiness for the digitization and rapid transformation of ecosystems. XAIN develops a technology layer on which such ecosystems can create services and products in a flexible and secure manner: cybersecurity protocols are combined with distributed access control for the resilient and fine-grained control of access to machines, data, and other resources. XAIN, winner of Porsche’s first Blockchain Innovation Contest in 2017, has developed its own consensus mechanism (Proof of Kernel Work) tailored to the needs of its own technology layer. Besides the well-known institutional investors Earlybird Ventures a merger of Asian Investors with access to the Chinese digital market participated in that seed financing round. The provided investment will give XAIN the opportunity to scale up activities and to hire additional employees. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM was mandated on the basis of recommendations from the market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to continue to provide ongoing legal services to XAIN in the future after conclusion of the seed financing. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl (Lead), Bastian Reinschmidt (Lead), Dr. Alexander Wulff (all Venture Capital/ Corporate), Katharina Erbe (Venture Capital/ IP/IT)

17.05.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM CONSULTING ON SALE OF THE PREFERE RESINS GROUP

BMH BRÄUTIGAM, together with Sidley Austin LLP, advised Berlin-based financial investor capiton AG, Intermediate Capital Group plc, London, and the management on the sale of the Prefere Resins group to Silverfleet Capital.

Prefere Resins is one of the European market leaders in the development, manufacturing and distribution of phenolic resins. In addition to the headquarters in Erkner near Berlin, Prefere Resins has branches in Austria, France, Great Britain, Poland, Romania and Finland. In 2017, the group's approximately 320 employees generated sales of 222 million euros. In January 2014, BMH BRÄUTIGAM had already advised capiton on the acquisition of the investment. Following the successful refinancing of the company in 2016, the Intermediate Capital Group acquired a minority interest in Prefere Resins from capiton, which was again represented by BMH BRÄUTIGAM. Under the now signed transaction, capiton and ICG sell all shares in Prefere Resins. The transaction is still subject to the fulfillment of customary conditions precedent. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Tina Schmidt, Jan-Peter Heyer, Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauss, Dr Sylko Winkler (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Johannes Wolf (Litigation)

03.05.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES SIGNA RETAIL ON ACQUISITION OF ONLINE SHOP STYLEFILE

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Retail on the acquisition of the online shop STYLEFILE.

STYLEFILE is a leading online specialist for sneaker and “sportive fashion” in Europe. STYLEFILE’s online shops supply over 20,000 items, some of them from well-known manufacturers, to more than half a million active customers in more than 30 countries. The company achieved a turnover of more than 50 million euros in 2016. The acquirer is SIGNA Sports Group which is part of SIGNA Retail Group (including Karstadt Warenhaus, The KaDeWe Group, Karstadt Sports, Outfitter, dress-for-less, hood), one of Germany's leading multi-channel sports equipment platforms and among the "Top Five" in Europe. With the acquisition of STYLEFILE, SIGNA Sports Group’s portfolio is supplemented by the important category of athleisure. By using the successful platform model of SIGNA Sports Group, extensive synergies can be leveraged and STYLEFILE can be successfully integrated into the SIGNA Sports family within a short time. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised SIGNA Retail Group on this transaction for the fourth time as part of an M&A deal. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (lead), Dr. Sylko Winkler, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A), Katharina Erbe LL.M. (UC Hastings, Attorney at Law (N.Y.)) (IP)

28.02.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON INVESTMENT IN ISPIN AG

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised longstanding client capiton AG on the investment in ISPIN AG. ISPIN is a leading Swiss cyber security services company based in Zurich.

Through its consulting, solutions and managed services divisions, ISPIN covers a wide range of relevant services related to cyber security, from initial consulting and implementation to the outsourcing of entire customer IT security infrastructures. ISPIN is the first acquisition under capiton's planned buy & build concept for the cyber security market in the DACH region. In addition to capiton and the founding members of ISPIN, Marco Marchesi and Stefan Näpflin, the management of ISPIN also holds shares in the new group. BMH BRÄUTIGAM had lately advised capiton on the acquisition of a participation in wind turbine service provider BWTS and on the acquisition of Raith as well as on several exits. capiton has experience in the implementation of buy & build concepts recalling, for example, the set-up of Schur Flexibles group on which also BMH BRÄUTIGAM was advisor to capiton. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauss (lead), Tina Schmidt, Dr Sylko Winkler, Dr Matthias Rüping (all Private Equity ǀ Corporate/M&A)

03.01.18

BMH BRÄUTIGAM NOMINATES THREE NEW PARTNERS

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has appointed three new partners at the turn of the year. As of January 1, 2018, Alexander Nast (real estate transactions | company law) has joined the partnership as a further shareholder. Already in December, Tina Schmidt, LL.M. (Melbourne) (Private Equity | Corporate Law) and Dr. Alexander Wulff (Venture Capital | Company Law) were nominated as partners of our firm.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner is consistently pursuing the strategy of demand-driven growth from within its own ranks. The appointments of the partners reflect the outstanding quality of our own young talents and the successful development of the law firm since its foundation in 2007.

07.12.17

The Legal 500 Germany recommends BMH Bräutigam

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner is recommended in the following 3 practice areas:

The Legal 500 GERMANY 2018 makes a recommendation for BMH BRÄUTIGAM in the fields of real estate and construction law/real estate law, private equity, venture capital and regionally for the metropolitan region of Berlin/Brandenburg for the sector of commercial law. The following four lawyers are also recommended in the editorial section of The Legal 500 Deutschland 2018: Boris Reschucha and Alexander Nast are traded as competence for real estate and construction law/real estate law, in the field of private equity/venture capital it is Patrick Auerbach-Hohl. In the category "Regional Law Firms - Business Law - Metropolitan Region Berlin/Brandenburg" Benedikt Bräutigam and Boris Reschucha are put forward.

20.11.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES WYSKER ON THE FIRST INITIAL COIN OFFERING (ICO) IN GERMANY

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Wysker, a blockchain-powered eCommerce provider, on the first ICO in Germany.

The business model of Wysker consists in particular of the following two pillars: On the one hand, the Wysker app generates a variety of product suggestions for its users within a very short time. On the other hand, the user has full control over all user data collected by the app, as he can decide for himself whether he wants to provide the advertising companies with the data. If he decides to do so, he will receive so-called wys tokens, which he can exchange for discounts. Due to this innovative concept, Wysker has already attracted enormous media attention. The FAZ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) described the idea as "more radical than Google and Facebook ever were". Like many blockchain startups worldwide, Wysker was also affected by the so-called Parity Bug, which has led to the freezing of about 300 million dollars in the cryptocurrency Ether (ETH). Wysker was therefore no longer able to access the Ether collected in the initially commenced ICO. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has legally advised Wysker in this situation. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM’s Venture Capital Team has formed a working group on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies and has already offered client events on these topics. After the Parity Bug had been disclosed, BMH BRÄUTIGAM was engaged as legal advisor due to recommendations from the venture capital advisor blacksquare ventures. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to have acquired the pioneer company Wysker as a client and is looking forward to further support Wysker in the context of legal challenges. BMH BRÄUTIGAM team: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Dr. Julian Schroeder, Bastian Reinschmidt (all Venture Capital)

08.11.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES START-UP CROSSENGAGE ON SEVEN-FIGURE FINANCING ROUND

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the young Berlin Start-Up CrossEngage on a successful seven-figure seed financing round.

Founded in July 2015, cross-channel marketing platform CrossEngage provides cloud-based software which enables companies to direct their marketing campaigns across all channels in such a way that their customers are always addressed with one consistent marketing voice. The financing round was attended by the well-known previous shareholders Project A Ventures, Earlybird, Vorwerk Ventures, Cavalry Ventures, 42 Capital and VC Fonds Kreativwirtschaft Berlin, which is managed by IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft. CrossEngage plans to push product development as well as the acquisition of further customers with the fresh capital. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to have further expanded its client relationship with CrossEngage and to have assisted the client in the third financing round in addition to providing ongoing advice. The founders Manuel Hinz and Dr. Markus Wübben, who are both experienced in the market, succeeded in convincing well-known investors of the business model and further strengthening their position in the highly competitive Berlin marketing technology market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl (Lead), Katharina Erbe, Bastian Reinschmidt (all Venture Capital)

08.11.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES START-UP RECARE (PRIOR VEYO CARE) ON SEVEN-FIGURE FINANCING ROUND

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the young Start-Up Recare on a successful seven-figure seed financing round.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the young Start-Up Recare on a successful seven-figure seed financing round. The Startup, founded in June 2015, offers hospitals and rehabilitation clinics a software platform for the digital organisation of patient follow-up care after patients have been discharged from hospitals. The platform connects hospitals with care and rehabilitation service providers and digital capacity bookings can be made in real time. With the fresh capital, Recare plans to push product development as well as the acquisition of further customers. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM has supported Recare since its foundation in June 2015 and has been able to expand and deepen its client relationship over the years. Founder Maximilian Greschke had already entrusted BMH with other ventures before founding Recare. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Katharina Erbe, Dr. Alexander Wulff (both Venture Capital)

03.11.17

BMH Bräutigam in the latest JUVE Handbook

The JUVE writes about BMH BRÄUTIGAM in the current handbook 2017/2018

The Berlin-based law firm BMH BRÄUTIGAM can rely on established client relationships with private equity firms such as Capiton. Also real estate transactions for the SIGNA group provide stable business. Following the withdrawl of the labor law team last year, BMH BRÄUTIGAM now focuses entirely on transactions, covering the spectrum from M & A through private equity to venture capital advice. In part, this results in links to the contested company law when it comes to shareholder disputes in start-ups. In addition, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has a 4-headed notary's office, which is active in both corporate and real estate law and is perceived by competitors as "extremely strong". Transactions are in the foreground of the Berlin office, which is why the team often comes to M & A mandates in the ongoing corporate law advice. In the contested company law, there are increasingly intersections of accepted practice in private equity, which is well networked in the capital's start-up scene. BMH BRÄUTIGAM now also advises on shareholder disputes. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is especially recommended in the areas of Private Equity, Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions and Notary. Frequently recommended: Dr Johannes Meinel (corporate and real estate law, notary), Dr Benedikt Bräutigam (litigation, notary), Jan-Peter Heyer (private equity transactions and contract law, notary public), Dr Patrick Auerbach-Hohl ("extremely well networked in the start-up scene", client; venture capital, notary), Dr Andrea Reichert-Clauß ("effective, pragmatic, experienced", competitor; private equity transactions)

18.10.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises rent24 on investment in Friendsfactory

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised rent24 on its investment in the co-working-space-provider Friendsfactory.

rent24 currently runs co-working-spaces, inter alia, in Berlin, Hamburg, Dortmund as well as Amsterdam and is seeking for an extensive international expansion with further locations in, e.g., the US, Israel and various European countries. Most recently, rent24 has opened one of the largest co-working-spaces in Germany at the Berlin “Gendarmenmarkt” (7.200 square meters). Besides the individual rent24-design and the „fully prepared“ workplaces, rent24 in particular offers consulting services for its customers and even invests in tenants with a start-up-fund. The acquisition of a majority stake in Friendsfactory shall result in substantial synergy effects. Firstly, because Friendsfactory mainly rents office spaces in Munich, a region which is not yet covered by rent24. Secondly, in contrast to rent24’s approach, offices at Friendsfactory can be designed individually. And finally, Friendsfactory also runs a start-up-accelerator. The tenants of both co-working-space providers will have the opportunity to use the entire services of the strategic partnership. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises rent24, in particular in connection with the international expansion. BMH BRÄUTIGAM was engaged as legal advisor due to recommendations from the market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Tina Schmidt, Katharina Erbe, Dr. Julian Schroeder (all Venture Capital / Corporate)

17.10.17

FAZ reviews Dr Matthias Rüping’s dissertation

In the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of 16 October, the dissertation of BMH BRÄUTIGAM lawyer Dr Matthias Rüping was reviewed.

In the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of 16 October, the dissertation of BMH Bräutigam lawyer Dr Matthias Rüping was reviewed. In his thesis ("The Responsible Citizen - Model of German Private Law?"), Rüping describes how the idea of individual responsibility in German private law has become less prevailing in recent decades. Regulatory systems that treat the citizen as a chronically overburdened person in need of constant protection have taken its place e.g. in consumer, tenancy and employment law. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung considers Rüpings dissertation a "cleverly thought-out argument for private autonomy and responsibility of citizens".

12.10.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON INVESTMENT IN BWTS

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised capiton AG on the acquisition of a participation in the wind turbine service provider BWTS (http://www.bwts-info.de).

BWTS offers service and maintenance for onshore and offshore wind turbines and contributes to sustainable availability of wind energy with tailor-made maintenance programs and modern maintenance procedures. BWTS has grown rapidly in recent years. capiton will support the company in further expansion and internationalization of its business. The intention is to expand BWTS' product portfolio through acquisitions. Plans include the expansion of the business model to rotor blade maintenance, significantly increasing the share of offshore business and acquiring new customers. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Jan-Peter Heyer (lead), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all Corporate/M&A)

14.09.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises majority shareholder on sale of evania video to Main Capital Partners

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has supported the majority shareholder David Ribeiro Pikart in the sale of his stake in the young and emerging software company evania video to Private Equity Investor Main Capital.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has supported the majority shareholder David Ribeiro Pikart in the sale of his stake in the young and emerging software company evania video to Private Equity Investor Main Capital. evania video is a well-known, software-driven company in the field of online advertising and marketing, which has established itself as a pioneer in the field of programmatic video advertising. By acquiring a majority stake, Main Capital will actively support evania video in further international expansion, as well diversifying and strengthening the company’s offerings, among others through selective and complementary acquisitions. The established management of evania video will continue to carry out the current business. With the support of Main Capital, the company expects an expansion of the solutions, services and markets of evania video. BMH BRÄUTIGAM was mandated on the basis of recommendations from the market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl (Lead), Bastian Reinschmidt (Lead), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Matthias Rüping (all M&A/ Corporate)

17.08.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Martin Hobler at his Exit from the Superfood-Startup Nu3

Martin Hobler has been responsible for the successful Swiss business of the Berlin Startup Nu3 since 2013.

Further he managed the cross-border units branding, content & creative and offline retail of Nu3. BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Martin Hobler at his Exit from the Superfood-Startup. Mr. Hobler now plans to focus on Impact Hub Berlin which he co-founded and his other Startup participations. Among the investors of Nu3 are Project A, Alstin, Lakestar, Black River Ventures as well as the Jahr-Group. Herr Hobler asked BMH BRÄUTIGAM for legal advice in April 2017 due to recommendations from the market. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Katharina Erbe (both Venture Capital)

03.08.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES SIGNA ON THE ACQUISITION AND FINANCING OF A TOWER DEVELOPMENT IN THE MEDIASPREE BERLIN PROJECT

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised SIGNA on the acquisition and financing of a development site right by Berlin's Mercedes-Benz Arena.

The SIGNA-Group has acquired one of the last remaining undeveloped plots in the Mediaspree development in Berlin on which it plans to build a state-of-the-art office building approximately 90 metres tall with a gross floor space of around 50,000 m². Thus, the SIGNA-Group develops an attractive landmark building for renowned tenants in one of the most innovative districts in the capital. Seller Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) is a leading developer of the new city district along the East Side Gallery. It was agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the property. The transaction was financed by Berlin Hyp. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Boris Reschucha (Federführung), Alexander Nast, Dr. Sylko Winkler, Dr. Daniel Moussa

20.06.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES SIGNA RETAIL ON THE ACQUISITION OF ONLINE MARKETPLACE MYBESTBRANDS.DE

MYBESTBRANDS is the biggest online fashion mall for premium und luxury fashion with approximately one million regular users, more than two million app downloads and a mobile traffic share of 75 percent.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised SIGNA Retail on the acquisition of the online marketplace mybestbrands.de. MYBESTBRANDS is the biggest online fashion mall for premium und luxury fashion with approximately one million regular users, more than two million app downloads and a mobile traffic share of 75 percent. Acquirer is SIGNA Luxury Marketplace GmbH, a company of SIGNA Retail group (inter alia Karstadt Warenhaus, The KaDeWe Group, Karstadt Sports, Outfitter, dress-for-less). SIGNA Luxury Marketplace GmbH acquires 60 percent of the shares while the residual shares remain with the management around founder and CEO Jörg Domesle. With this acquisition, SIGNA Retail expands its leading position with regard to the retail sector of premium and luxury fashion in Germany and Europe. Within the stationary sector, The KaDeWe Group with its three premium department stores KaDeWe in Berlin, Alsterhaus in Hamburg and Oberpollinger in Munich already is the uncontested market leader. With MYBESTBRANDS, this position is now confirmed regarding the digital sector. FOR BMH BRÄUTIGAM, this marks the fourth successful M&A deal for the SIGNA Retail group in the course of one year. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Boris Reschucha (leading), Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß, Tina Schmidt, Katharina Erbe, Dr. Daniel Moussa, Dr. Matthias Rüping

19.06.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES SIGNA RETAIL ON THE ACQUISITION OF ONLINE MARKETPLACE HOOD.DE

With more than five million offers and approximately seven million customers, Hood.de is one of the fastest-growing online marketplaces in Germany.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised SIGNA Retail on the acquisition of the online marketplace Hood.de. With more than five million offers and approximately seven million customers, Hood.de is one of the fastest-growing online marketplaces in Germany. Acquirer is Karstadt Marktplatz GmbH, a company of the SIGNA Retail group (inter alia Karstadt Warenhaus, The KaDeWe Group, Karstadt Sports, Outfitter, dress-for-less). Karstadt Marktplatz GmbH acquires 70 percent of the shares while the residual shares remain with the founder and CEO Ryan Hood. With this acquisition, SIGNA Retail and Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH aim to further the development from classical stationary department stores to a modern omni- and cross-channel oriented marketplace. FOR BMH BRÄUTIGAM, this marks the third successful M&A deal for the SIGNA Retail group in the course of one year. Team BMH BRÄUTIGAM: Boris Reschucha, Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß (both leading), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Daniel Moussa, Dr. Matthias Rüping

09.06.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Ohlala-founder Pia Poppenreiter in Management-Buy-Out

After months of disputes between the investors of the Berlin based Escort-Startup Ohlala, its founder Pia Poppenreiter aquired – with legal advice from BMH BRÄUTIGAM – the shares of all shareholders and is now aiming at forming a new team.

After months of disputes between the investors of the Berlin based Escort-Startup Ohlala, its founder Pia Poppenreiter aquired – with legal advice from BMH BRÄUTIGAM – the shares of all shareholders and is now aiming at forming a new team. The Ohlala portal mediates paid dates with women. Amongst other things it caused a sensation with regard to its launch in New York City. To name a few, investors were Moviepilot-founder Ben Kubota and Max Finger, a long-time companion of Oliver Samwers and his Co-founder throughout the first Ventures Alando and Jamba. Following long negotiations hopefully there is now a result that serves all parties best. Pia Poppenreiter and Ohlala will now focus more on the product and less on fundraising. Miss Poppenreiter asked BMH BRÄUTIGAM for legal advice in February 2017 due to recommendations from the market and after miscellaneous attempted solutions between the Ohlala-shareholders had already failed. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Katharina Erbe (all Venture Capital)

06.06.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the Silicon Valley investor floodgate in the series-A II-financing round of the Berlin start-up Jodel

The Silicon Valley investor floodgate is investing a seven-digit amount as a new shareholder in the Berlin start-up Jodel, which got a double-digit million valuation in this financing round.

The Silicon Valley investor floodgate is investing a seven-digit amount as a new shareholder in the Berlin start-up Jodel, which got a double-digit million valuation in this financing round. From the previous investors Rubylight, SomeInvest, Atlantic Internet, Rockets Global Founders Capital, Rocket Internet Capital Partners and Kima Ventures participated in this financing round. Via the messenger app Jodel, which is particularly popular with students, users can send anonym short messages, which every person in the community can see within a radius of ten kilometres. With the newly acquired capital, the start-up in Berlin is pushing ahead with product development and its expansion into the European market. BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised floodgate as Local Counsel in collaboration with Silicon Legal Strategy. The mandate came via Silicon Legal Strategy by recommendation of Taylor Wessing, which were conflicted in this transaction because of the notarial activity of Roman Bärwaldt. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl, Katharina Erbe (beide Venture Capital)

13.04.17

Legal 500 Europe recommends BMH BRÄUTIGAM and Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl

In the 2017 edition of the Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa BMH BRÄUTIGAM is recoomended for the practice areas Private equity and Venture capital. Dr. Patrick Auerbach-Hohl is recoomended in the 2017 editorial for Venture capital.

20.02.17

BMH BRÄUTIGAM IS RANKED AGAIN TOP-EMPLOYER EASTERN GERMANY ACCORDING TO THE AZUR 100 MAGAZINE

Concerning the Associates satisfaction BMH BRÄUTIGAM is even nationwide ranked in first place in the azur-Insiderranking 2017.

azur 100 2017: BMH BRÄUTIGAM

28.11.16

Jan-Peter Heyer represents BMH Bräutigam as panel speaker in the Ventech Meetup in Paris

Jan-Peter Heyer represents BMH BRÄUTIGAM as panel speaker in the Ventech Meetup in Paris on the subject “Expansion to Germany for French start-ups”.

Ventech, a Paris-based VC-investor with a focus, inter-alia, on the DACH region, has been a client of BMH BRÄUTIGAM since 2013.

10.11.16

BMH ADVISES CAPITON ON ACQUISITION OF RAITH GMBH FROM HANNOVER FINANZ

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the long-standing client capiton AG on the acquisition of Raith GmbH. Raith is a leading global developer and manufacturer of nanofabrication systems and software used for printing and scanning nanostructures.

Raith has production sites in Germany and the Netherlands as well as distribution units in the US, China and India. In addition, Raith’s regional sales managers are supported by local sales partners across 15 countries. Raith employs around 200 people worldwide, of which 120 are based at its headquarters in Dortmund, and generated sales of EUR 54 million in 2015. capiton acquires Raith from the equity capital partner HANNOVER Finanz, who supported the company’s growth since 2002, and will become the majority shareholder of Raith. Financing of the transaction is provided by capiton’s current investment vehicle, capiton V, and banks. BMH-Team: Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauss, Dr. Patrick Auerbach (both leading), Tina Schmidt, Dr. Sylko Winkler, Bastian Reinschmidt, Katharina Erbe (all Corporate | M&A)

31.07.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton AG on the sale of its participation in POLI-TAPE Group to Bitburger Holding

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised capiton AG on the sale of its participation in POLI-TAPE Group to Bitburger Holding.

POLI-TAPE Group is a leading, innovative manufacturer of high-quality textile transfer films, digital printing media, sign making vinyls, laminating films and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes with a strong focus on advertising and display lettering, consisting of POLI-TAPE Klebefolien GmbH in Remagen, Germany, and its subsidiaries in the USA and Italy. BMH BRÄUTIGAM already represented capiton on the acquisition in 2011 and advised capiton since in connection with the participation. In this period, the group grew continuously through substantive investments and was able to expand its turnover by more than 50%. The participation could now be sold successfully in a particularly efficient transaction.

15.06.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES EMPAUA ON THE INVESTMENT OF TECH GIANT SALESFORCE

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises Empaua on the investment of Salesforce Ventures in the course of a financing round.

Worldwide, Salesforce is number one among the CRM providers and as customer success platform. Empaua makes the agility and speed of the cloud technology usable for young, disruptive companies. To make full use of the spectrum of services Salesforce offers, most companies need professional support with the solution design and implementation. Since its foundation 1.5 years ago, Empaua has made a name for itself very quickly in the European startup community and meanwhile employs about 40 employees in three countries. The Berlin startup consultancy supports founders to completely represent their business model on salesforce. The representation of all processes without intermediate manual steps makes it easy for startups to scale as they grow and provides an end-to-end analysis of their business. Empaua has already supported 74 well-known startups throughout Europe and completed 145 projects since it was founded end of 2014. Its clients are businesses as varied as Number26, the provider of mobile checking accounts; Lieferando, the ordering platform; FinanceFox, the insurance broker; and Movinga, the relocation platform. Because of its well-known expertise in the venture capital sector, BMH BRÄUTIGAM was able to win Empaua as a new client and gets a further important networking partner due to Empaua’s good network. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Patrick Hohl, Katharina Erbe (both Venture Capital)

17.05.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton AG on sale of nora systems GmbH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the longstanding client capiton AG on the sale of its majority shareholding on nora systems GmbH to Intermediate Capital Group plc. (ICG).

nora systems is the global market leader for high-quality rubber floor coverings. The company employs more than 1,000 people and turns over in excess of 220 million euros, more than 75 % of it outside Germany. nora systems is active not only in USA and Germany as the core markets, but also focusses on doing its business in China and the middle east as growth markets. Originally belonging to Freudenberg Group, capiton purchased the company and its management in September 2007 and already sold some minority shares to ICG within the scope of a recapitalisation in 2014. The transaction is subject to standard market conditions yet. BMH BRÄUTIGAM not only represented capiton in purchasing and recapitalising nora systems, but also has advised nora systems in company law, finance and litigation matters since 2007. Most recently, BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised capiton in purchasing the Trioptics GmbH, selling its shareholding on the RTS group and the Fruitwork Group and recapitalising the Prefere Resins Holdings (also with the participation of ICG). Furthermore, BMH BRÄUTIGAM acted as notary public in purchasing the laser applications of LAP GmbH and the Hamm Reno Group. Overall, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been involved in seven of eight capiton transactions in the past 18 months.

12.05.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES PRIMA BIOMED IN A$400 MILLION CROSS-BORDER SPIN OUT

BMH BRÄUTIGAM led a team comprising German, Australian and U.S.-American lawyers for out-licensing Prima BioMed’s CVac immuno-oncology through a cross-border spin out.

Prima BioMed is a globally active Sydney-based biotechnology company with branches in Germany and France. It is listed in Australia (ASX) and the United States (NASDAQ). Licensee is U.S.-based and U.S.-listed Sydys Corporation. Along with the license for CVac, it acquired various CVac-related assets. Prima BioMed receives performance-based payments up to A$400 million (US$ 293 million) as well as 9.9% equity stake in Sydys. As background: Prima Biomed is a loyal client of BMH BRÄUTIGAM. The contact was made by CEO Marc Voigt, who formerly served as board-member for Medical Enzymes AG. Dr. Patrick Hohl has advised Medical Enzymes AG in various transactions. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Patrick Hohl, Dr. Alexander Wulff, Katharina Erbe (M&A | Venture Capital)

11.05.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CONCARDIS ON 20 M SERIES-C FINANCING ROUND OF ORDERBIRD

Lead Investor Digital+ and METRO GROUP invest 16.5 Million into orderbird AG as new shareholders and strategic partners. Orderbird AG is the market leader in iPad-based point of sale solutions for gastronomic business within the German-speaking area.

As one of the leading European payment service providers, Concardis participates through a secondary listing. BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Concardis already on its Series-B Financing Round in 2014. Fueled by its strategic partners and new capital, orderbird AG pushes forward its product development and its expansion within the European market. Kickoff for the latter will be its market entry in France. As background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM was assigned for the first time by Concardis in the course of its Series-B Financing round in 2014. Ever since, the attorney-client-relationship intensified in a way that BMH BRÄUTIGAM now advises on various transactions. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Alexander Wulff, Dr. Patrick Hohl, Katharina Erbe (all specialized in venture capital transactions)

20.03.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT CAPITON BEI DEM VERKAUF IHRER BETEILIGUNG AN DER FRUITWORK-GRUPPE

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat die capiton AG bei dem Verkauf ihrer Beteiligung an der Fruitwork-Gruppe (Hamburg) an das Management und die übrigen Gesellschafter beraten. Mit einem Umsatz von über 100 Mio. € gehört die Fruitwork-Gruppe zu den größten Anbietern von Trockenfrüchten und Nüssen in Deutschland.

Während der Beteiligungszeit von capiton hat sich die Fruitwork-Gruppe strategisch auf die Belieferung des Einzelhandels mit Nüssen und Trockenfrüchten fokussiert und die Kunden- und Produktbasis erweitert. BMH BRÄUTIGAM ist regelmäßig für die capiton AG tätig und hat diese auch schon bei deren Einstieg in die Fruitwork-Gruppe in 2008 sowie diversen Umstrukturierungen und Unternehmensteilverkäufen beraten. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha, Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)

14.01.16

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES START-UP CROSSENGAGE ON SEVEN-FIGURE FINANCING ROUND

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the young Berlin Start-Up CrossEngage on a successful seven-figure seed financing round.

Founded in July 2015, cross-channel marketing platform CrossEngage provides cloud-based software which enables companies to direct their marketing campaigns across all channels in such a way that their customers are always addressed with one consistent marketing voice. Alongside with previous shareholder Project A Ventures further well-known venture capital funds such as Capnamic Ventures, Ventech, Heilemann Ventures and the VC fund Kreativwirtschaft Berlin, managed by IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft, have participated in the financing round. CrossEngage plans to push product development as well as the acquisition of further customers with the fresh capital. BMH BRÄUTIGAM is looking forward to a continues cooperation with its new client CrossEngage. Only a few months after foundation, experienced founders Manuel Hinz and Dr. Markus Wübben managed to convince reputable investors of the business model and to establish the company well-funded in the hard-fought Berlin marketing technology market.

20.11.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES EHEALTH STARTUP MEDEXO IN 1.25 M EURO FINANCING ROUND

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the award winning eHealth Startup Medexo (Innovation price-IT eHealth 2014/Initiative Mittelstand; Customer Choice Award 2015/Long Night of Start-ups Berlin) in the collection of a 1.25 Million Euro financing.

Via its web portal Medexo provides customers easy and fast access to medical experts for a second opinion by this specialists. Besides existing shareholders, Mr. Philipp Graf von Hardenberg – who supports Medexo together with Thanyapura, a sport and health care company from Thailand – and Mr. Klaus Tschütscher – former Prime Minister of Liechtenstein –, among others, participated in the financing round. With the fresh capital Medexo aims to setting the right course for its international scaling. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been advising Medexo for nearly one year now. The managing director of the company builder M Cube, Mr. Jan Dzulko, – a long term client of BMH – recommended BMH to Medexo.

06.11.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON THE RECAPITALISATION OF PREFERE RESINS-GROUP

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised financial investor capiton AG on the refinancing of its majority shareholding in Prefere Resins-Group. In the course of the refinancing by Intermediate Capital Group plc (ICG) capiton realises a cash inflow and still remains the majority shareholder.

The new shareholders – capiton, ICG and the management team which increases its shareholding in the course of the transaction – will jointly accelerate the growth of turnover and profits of the group also by way of selected add-on acquistions. Prefere Resins is one of the leading producers of phenolic resins in Europe with production facilities in six countries including Germany, Finland, UK and France. Phenolic resins are used for example in the wood-working and in the automotive industries. The group with more than 300 employees generates a turnover of EUR 230 million p.a. The transaction is inter alia subject to approval by the relevant cartel authorities.

31.10.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT CANNONKIRK BEIM VERKAUF DES INVESTMENTS “CHECKPOINTCHARLIE“

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat die CannonKirk-Gruppe, Dublin, Irland, bei der Veräußerung ihres Investments “Checkpoint Charlie“ an den Projektentwickler Trockland, Berlin, beraten.

Die beiden prominenten, bislang unbebauten Grundstücke am historischen Checkpoint Charlie in der Berliner Friedrichstraße wurden in den 90er-Jahren vom Land Berlin privatisiert. Nach Insolvenz der privaten Eigentümerin in 2003 hatte die CannonKirk-Gruppe das Investment in 2007 von den finanzierenden Banken erworben und nunmehr im Rahmen eines strukturierten Bieterprozesses an den renommierten Projektentwickler Trockland veräußert, der die beiden, insgesamt ca. 9.000 m² großen Freigrundstücke entwickeln wird. BMH BRÄUTIGAM berät die CannonKirk-Gruppe laufend im Hinblick auf ihre Immobilien-investments in Deutschland, so u.a. auch bereits beim Erwerb des Investments “Checkpoint Charlie“ im Jahr 2007. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha, Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen) und Bastian Reinschmidt (Insolvenzrecht | M&A)

02.10.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES BIG DATA-STARTUP TERAKI ON THE FUNDING BY HUB:RAUM

The founders of Big Data-Startup Teraki in Berlin were advised by BMH BRÄUTIGAM on the funding process by Hub:raum, the incubator of Deutsche Telekom.

Teraki develops software that selects data for the internet, whereby about 90 percent of the data cease to exist. Amongst other things the energy consumption of the end devices sending those data is thereby supposed to be reduced by at least 50 percent. BMH BRÄUTIGAM received the mandate over the accelerator startupbootcamp, which is also exclusively advised by BMH BRÄUTIGAM since 2015.

01.10.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT SIGNA BEI VERKAUF DES SHOPPING-CENTERS „SEVENS“

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat SIGNA bei dem Verkauf des an der Königsallee in Düsseldorf gelegenen Shopping-Centers „Sevens“ an CBRE Global Investors beraten.

Das „Sevens“ eröffnete im Jahr 2000 und war ursprünglich als Themencenter konzipiert. Es hat eine Einzelhandelsfläche von gut 19.000 Quadratmetern. 2011 wurden die sieben Etagen für rund 40 Millionen Euro umgebaut. Hauptmieter ist die Elektronikkette Saturn, die auch die meisten Etagen des Centers belegt. Daneben gehören vor allem Modegeschäfte von Armani bis Desigual zu den Mietern. Im Untergeschoss befinden sich Restaurants. 2012 wurde das „Sevens“ außerdem baulich mit der Kö-Galerie verbunden. Verkäufer ist der von SIGNA bereits im Jahr 2007 aufgelegte SIGNA RECAP DEVELOPMENT FUND 01, in dem vorwiegend institutionelle Anleger investiert sind und der hauptsächlich in Neu- oder Wiederentwicklungen von Einzelhandelsimmobilien in 1A-Lagen investiert hat. BMH BRÄUTIGAM hatte SIGNA bereits seit 2010 zum Erwerb und der Entwicklung des Investments im Joint Venture mit der Düsseldorfer CENTRUM-Gruppe sowie zum späteren Auskauf der CENTRUM-Gruppe beraten. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha, Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)

14.08.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON SALE OF RTS

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised capiton AG on the sale of its stake in the RTS-group, Wolznach, to Media-Saturn-Holding GmbH pertaining to the Metro-group. RTS is a leading service provider for electronic products in Europe.

In 2009 capiton participated in RTS and expanded the Group together with its founder Josef Raith by four company acquisitions inter alia. The spectrum of services covers inspection, repair and maintenance of different products starting from smartphones and notebooks to complete smart home advices. In 2014, the RTS-group reached a turnover of € 136 million and employed around 1,200 employees. The transaction is subject to the approval of the competent antitrust authorities.

In 2009 BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised capiton already on the acquisition of the investment. Since then BMH BRÄUTIGAM also advised on several further acquisitions by RTS, for example on the acquisition of a business unit of Siemens AG. For BMH BRÄUTIGAM this marks the ongoing successful cooperation with capiton AG. Just recently, we advised capiton inter alia on the sale of Lahmeyer-group to Tractebel Engineering S.A. pertaining to GdF Suez as well as on the acquisition of a minority stake in Trioptics GmbH.

01.07.15

HANDELSBLATT: BMH BRÄUTIGAM LAWYERS AGAIN RECOMMENDED

The US publishing house Best Lawyers has exclusively published a list of Germany’s most recommended lawyers for the leading German newspaper Handelsblatt.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam, expert in litigation, and Dr. Roland Gastell, specialist for Labour & Employment, have been recommended for the fourth time in a row. http://tool.handelsblatt.com/tabelle/index.php?id=150&so=4a&pc=25

19.06.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES VENTECH S.A. ON SPEEXX

The French Ventech S.A. has, together with Alto Invest, acquired shares in Speexx (www.speexx.de). Speexx is one of the most important providers of professional and innovative language learning solutions.

The award-winning cloud-based Speex solution is, among others, available in English, Spanish, German, Italian and French. Speexx has been honored with industry recognition and more than 200 international awards (e.g. winner of Business English test carried out by Stiftung Warentest in 2010). The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Munich with subsidiaries London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Sao Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore (see more under http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/speexx-ventech-alto-invest). Ventech, already existing since 1998, provides further equity to help Speex’ international expansion. Ventech has a focus on European companies active in the digital economy. Companies financed by Ventech represent a turnover of approx. EUR 360 million per year. Ventech has mandated BMH BRÄUTIGAM once again. With this mandate, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has strengthened its position with foreign VC investors focussing on innovative German companies. “Advising VC investors has become more and more im-portant for us, beside the traditional Private Equity business. We intend to grow further in this area, especially since Berlin has become the Venture Capital metropolis in Germany”, Dr. Sylko Winkler says.

18.06.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM WINS CORPORATE LIVEWIRE’S M&A AWARDS 2015

The British corporate Journal "Corporate LiveWire" has published its Corporate LiveWire’s 2015 M&A Awards. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has won the award as “most outstanding law firm”.

16.06.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON ON INVESTMENT IN TRIOPTICS

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised capiton AG on the acquisition of a minority shareholding in Trioptics GmbH (www.trioptics.com). Trioptics is a leading manufacturer of optical test and measurement instruments.

In particular, optical test instruments for the smartphone industry are manufactured in Germany and the United States and sold via a worldwide service and distribution network. For BMH BRÄUTIGAM this a further transaction for the longstanding client capiton whom we have recently advised, inter alia, on the acquisition of Prefere Resins Group and the sale of Lahmeyer International.

15.06.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES FINLEAP ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE INTERNET INSURANCE BROKER CLARK.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised FinLeap on creating the business model of the internet insurance broker Clark (www.clark.de). The company builder FinTech around Hitfox founder Jan Beckers thereby launches its second start-up after savedo, an online financial marketplace.

Clark aims to returning a part of its broker commission as cashbacks to their clients. However, the legal permissibility of cashbacks is unclear according to the current legal situation. The so called “prohibition to pass on provisions” forbids cashbacks to clients but its legal effectiveness is uncertain. Hence, until the removal of this prohibition Clark wants to donate the money for a good cause – the client may choose the recipient organization (background information: www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/finleap-versicherungen-institut-fuer-transparenz). Background:
BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises FinLeap, the Fintech company builder of the Hitfox Group, for the first time (background information: www.morgenpost.de/berlin-aktuell/startups/article134891803/Berliner-Hitfox-Gruppe-steigt-ins-Bankgeschaeft-ein.html).

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is pleased to have gained one of the most interesting actors on the Berlin start-up market with FinLeap/Hitfox Group as new client.

02.06.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM EXKLUSIVE LEGAL ADVISOR OF STARTUPBOOTCAMP | BERLIN | 2015

www.startupbootcamp.org/sponsors.html

01.06.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM APPOINTS TWO NEW PARTNERS

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has appointed two new partners in 2015. As of 1 June 2015, Friederike Kumsteller (Employment) and Alexander Nast (Real Estate Transactions | Corporate) have been made partners of our firm.

With making Friederike Kumsteller and Alexander Nast partners, we consequently implement our strategy of growth from our own ranks at our own pace. These partner appointments reflect the exceptional quality of our own talent and the successful development of our firm since its foundation in 2007.

02.03.15

“GREEN LIGHT” FOR HERLITZ: BMH BRÄUTIGAM PAVES THE WAY FOR 270 MILLION EURO GOING PUBLIC

A decision of Kammergericht Berlin (Higher Regional Court of Berlin) has cleared the way to enter the capital increase into the commercial register and thus laid the basis for the targeted 270 million Euro public offering.

The judges ruled in favor of Herlitz upon its petition in a release procedure (rf. 12 AktG 1/15) on February 26th 2015. BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the company on the going public as well as on stock corporation and procedural aspects of the transaction. Background: In December 2014 Herlitz’ shareholders‘ meeting has decided on a combined in kind and cash capital increase. The majority shareholder Pelikan will contribute essential participations from eight jurisdictions into Herlitz in exchange for the issuance of more than 231 million new shares. Additionally a cash capital increase is supposed to generate up to 32 million Euro of fresh capital. The transaction strives in particular for a bundling of the essential paper, office and stationery supplies participations and the acceleration of the Herlitz group’s positive corporate development. After seven minority shareholders had challenged the resolution on the capital, Herlitz has initiated a release procedure to ensure the prompt entry into the commercial register. In the run-up to the court’s decision Herlitz has reached a settlement with four of the defendants. Kammergericht has granted the release based on Herlitz’ overriding interest against the remaining defendants. The going public is planned for the middle of the second quarter.

12.02.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM SUPPORTS HUMBOLDT UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN’S MOOT COURT TEAM

BMH BRÄUTIGAM sponsors the Humboldt Moot Association e.V. at this year’s Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and supports the team of the Humboldt University of Berlin with their technical preparation.

The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot has been taking place since 1992/93 und is the world biggest contest in the field of international commercial law. Since 1995/96 teams of the Humboldt University of Berlin have successfully been participating in it.

28.01.15

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT SIGNA ZUM JOINT VENTURE KARSTADT-KU’DAMM 231 MIT HGHI-GRUPPE

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat SIGNA zum Einstieg der HGHI-Gruppe des Berliner Projektentwicklers Dr. Harald G. Huth in das Immobilieninvestment „Karstadt-Ku’damm“, Kurfürstendamm 231, Berlin, beraten.

Die Immobilie wurde von SIGNA bereits im Dezember 2013 im Rahmen eines großen Portfolio-Deals (KaDeWe-Portfolio) von Highstreet erworben soll jetzt im Rahmen eines gemeinsamen Joint Venture mit der HGHI-Gruppe unter Einbeziehung div. Nachbarliegenschaften zu eine Shopping-Mall wieder- und weiterentwickelt werden. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha, Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen) und Dr. Sylko Winkler (M&A)

25.12.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT SIGNA BEIM VERKAUF DER IMMOBILIE „OBERPOLLINGER“ IN MÜNCHEN

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat die österreichisch-deutsche SIGNA-Gruppe (Wien/München, Immobilieninvestments) bei dem Verkauf der Beteiligung des von SIGNA bereits im Jahr 2007 aufgelegten SIGNA RECAP DEVELOPMENT FUND 01 an dem Karstadt-Warenhaus „Oberpollinger“ in München beraten.

Erwerber ist die bereits an dem Investment beteiligte und zur SIGNA-Gruppe gehörende SIGNA Prime Selection AG, Innsbruck. BMH BRÄUTIGAM hatte SIGNA bereits 2011 zum Erwerb und der Entwicklung des Investments im Joint Venture mit der Düsseldorfer CENTRUM-Gruppe sowie zum späteren Auskauf der CENTRUM-Gruppe beraten. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha und Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)

26.11.14

THE LEGAL 500 GERMANY RECOMMENDS BMH BRÄUTIGAM AS “TOP TIER LAW FIRM” ONCE AGAIN

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is recommended as “TOP TIER LAW FIRM“ by The Legal 500 Germany 2015 once again this year. The handbook's editorial section makes notable mentions of Dr. Benedikt BRÄUTIGAM, Dr. Roland Gastell, Jan-Peter Heyer, Boris Reschucha and Johannes Wolf in the category “Regional Law Firms – Commercial Law – Berlin”.

http://www.legal500.de/c/deutschland-2015/regionale-kanzleien-wirtschaftsrecht/berlin Furthermore, Dr. Patrick Hohl is recommended in the practice area Private Equity/Venture Capital with regard to consulting start-up companies. http://www.legal500.de/c/deutschland-2015/private-equity/venture-capital

25.11.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM AMONG THE TOP BERLIN COMMERCIAL LAW FIRMS IN JUVE-RANKING 2015

The “JUVE Handbook German Commercial Law Firms 2015” ranks BMH BRÄUTIGAM once again as one of the top commercial law firms in Berlin.

http://www.juve.de/handbuch/de/2015/ranking/22070 In the nationwide comparison BMH BRÄUTIGAM is listed as one of the leading law firms in the fields of “private-equity-transactions (mid-cap)”, “venture capital” and “mergers and acquisitions”. http://www.juve.de/handbuch/de/2015/ranking/24490 http://www.juve.de/handbuch/de/2015/ranking/24320 Dr. Patrick Hohl is recommended as one of the “leading names in venture capital” in Germany. http://www.juve.de/handbuch/de/2015/fuehrendenamen/24490 Furthermore, the handbook highlights Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam, Dr. Roland Gastell, Jan-Peter Heyer, Dr. Johannes Meinel und Dr. Andrea Reichert-Clauß as “often recommended” in the handbook’s profile of BMH BRÄUTIGAM.

14.10.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES LEAD INVESTOR CONCARDIS IN TEN MILLION DOLLAR SERIES-B-FINANCING ROUND OF BERLIN-BASED STARTUP ORDERBIRD

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised ConCardis, a business venture of the German banks and saving banks and leading expert in cashless payment, on its investment into the Berlin-based startup orderbird.

With an eight-figure investment ConCardis carries the lion’s share of the startup’s Series-B-financing round. orderbird is a well-established provider of an iPad-operated point of sale system who currently counts more than 2,500 customers, has more than 50 employees and estimates a total transaction volume of around half a billion euro via its orderbird internet-platform in 2014. Apart from a successful investment ConCardis expects to expand its clientele through the collaboration by implementing its cashless payment system into the range of services offered by orderbird.

15.09.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES CAPITON AG ON THE SALE OF LAHMEYER GROUP

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised its long standing client capiton AG on the sale of Lahmeyer to Tractebel Engineering S.A., a subsidiary of GDF SUEZ. As a leading international engineering consultancy, Lahmeyer group offers a broad range of planning and consultancy services and generated revenues of more than EUR 140m in 2013.

Lahmeyer group’s services relate primarily to complex infrastructure projects in the sectors Energy, Hydropower and Water Supply. Lahmeyer group is active, in particular, in Africa, South-eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia. capiton AG sold the shares in Lahmeyer group to Tractebel Engineering in a bidding process. The transaction is subject to the approval by the relevant cartel authorities. BMH BRÄUTIGAM had advised capiton AG already on the acquisition of Lahmeyer group in 2007 from SAG. Since the acquisition, BMH BRÄUTIGAMhas advised Lahmeyer group on an ongoing basis in the areas of corporate and contract law as well as dispute resolution and on several acquisitions, e.g. the purchase of waste water engineering consultant Pöyry Environment GmbH (now GKW Consult GmbH).

20.08.14

BERLIN START-UP ENTSORGUNG.DE ENTERS INTO JOINT VENTURE WITH ZENTEK

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Business Angel Marcus Seidel (Games.de, Gutscheine.de, brillen.de, Adcell.de) regarding the investment of the Cologne-based disposal management company Zentek in the Berlin internet start-up entsorgung.de.

Entsorgung.de is Germany’s leading portal for the online brokerage of waste management services like container ordering or managing scrap pickup. Both parties are expecting significant synergy effects by the coincidence of the classical and the internet based disposal management business, especially in the area of container services. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Marcus Seidel before concerning the sale of the internet portal Gutscheine.de to RTL.

08.08.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM AGAIN NOMINATED FOR JUVE AWARD

After last year’s nomination in the category Law Firm of the Year for Medium-sized Businesses, BMH BRÄUTIGAM has been nominated for this year’s JUVE award in the category Law Firm of the Year for Private Equity & Venture Capital.

01.07.14

HANDELSBLATT: BMH BRÄUTIGAM LAWYERS RECOMMENDED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW

The US publishing house Best Lawyers has exclusively published a list of Germany’s most recommended lawyers for the leading German newspaper Handelsblatt. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Benedikt BRÄUTIGAM, expert in litigation, and Dr. Roland Gastell, specialist for Labour & Employment, have been recommended for the thrid time in a row.

26.06.14

BERLIN START-UP CROBO COLLECTS 4.25 MILLION EURO WITH BMH BRÄUTIGAM

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Berlin Start-up Crobo and its stakeholder Covus-Group on a growth financing by Boost & Co. (Paris/London) in an amount of 4.25 Million Euro.

Crobo, a performance marketer in online and mobile games active in more than 170 countries, plans to invest the raised funds in its expansion on the Asian and South American market, the growth of its teams in Berlin and Hamburg and in its crobo-platform-technology. Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Covus-Group and Crobo on several deals in the last couple of years.

20.06.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM WINS ACQUISITION INTERNATIONAL 2014 M&A AWARD

The English corporate finance journal Acquisition International has published its 2014 M&A Awards for the best M&A teams in the areas of legal, tax and investment consultancy. BMH BRÄUTIGAM again won the award as „German Contract Law Firm of the Year“.

http://acquisition-intl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1688#1

22.05.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM WINS 2014 CORPORATE INTL MAGAZINE GLOBAL AWARD

The English Corporate Intl Magazine awarded BMH BRÄUTIGAM with its 2014 Corporate INTL Magazine Global Award 2014 as ‘Contract Law Firm of the Year in Germany’.

08.04.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM ADVISES BERLIN START-UP CROBO ON THE ACQUISITION OF TRAFFICCAPTAIN

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Berlin Start-up Crobo and its stakeholder Covus-Group on the acquisition of Crobo’s competitor TrafficCaptain. Crobo, a performance marketer in online and mobile games active in more than 170 countries, is strengthening its appearance on the Asian and South American market.

Through the acquisition of TrafficCaptain, Crobo – a business rival of Hitfox – takes over its smaller Hamburg based competitor and now operates its own office in Hamburg to intensify the contact to the region’s game providers. The number of employees of Crobo is growing to more than 50.

Background: BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Covus-Group and Crobo on several deals in the last couple of years.

21.02.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM IS RANKED AGAIN TOP-EMPLOYER EASTERN GERMANY ACCORDING TO THE AZUR 100 MAGAZINE

For the third year in a row BMH BRÄUTIGAM is listed among the top five of the current “Top-Employer Eastern Germany”-Ranking.

Concerning the Associates satisfaction BMH BRÄUTIGAM is even nationwide ranked among the top ten in the azur-Insiderranking 2014.

15.02.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT SIGNA BEI AUFLÖSUNG ZWEIER JOINT VENTURE MIT CENTRUM-GRUPPE

BMH BRÄUTIGAM berät die österreichisch-deutsche SIGNA-Gruppe (Wien/München, Immobilieninvestments) zum (i) Verkauf ihrer Beteiligung an der Immobilie „Vattenfallhaus“ Spitalerstraße, Hamburg“ an den Joint Venture Partner CENTRUM; sowie (ii) Auskauf des Joint Venture Partners CENTRUM aus dem Investment „Karstadt-Sport“, Mönckebergstraße, Hamburg.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM berät die SIGNA-Gruppe laufend im Hinblick auf ihre Immobilien-investments, so u.a. auch bereits beim Einstieg in das Investment „Karstadt-Sport/Hamburg“ in 2012. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha und Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)

25.01.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT SIGNA BEI VERKAUF DER IMMOBILIE „KARSTADT-GÖTTINGEN“

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat die österreichisch-deutsche SIGNA-Gruppe (Wien/München, Immobilieninvestments) bei dem Verkauf eines in Göttingen belegenen Karstadt-Hauses an einen Privatinvestor beraten.

Die Immobilie wurde von SIGNA bereits im Dezember 2013 im Rahmen eines großen Portfolio-Deals von Highstreet erworben. BMH BRÄUTIGAM ist regelmäßig für die SIGNA-Gruppe tätig und wurde auch hinsichtlich des Verkaufs weiteren Karstadt-Immobilien aus Portfolio beauftragt. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Alexander Nast (M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)

07.01.14

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton AG on the acquisition of Dynea Group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised financial investor capiton AG on the acquisition of Dynea-Group. The Finnish chemical group is leading in the European market of Phenolic Resins with subsidiaries in Germany, Finland, UK, Poland, France, Romania, Austria and Ukraine.

The group is specialized in the production of formaldehyde based adhesive, which are used, for example, in the automotive and engineering industries. Dynea employs 300 FTEs and has annual sales of approximately €220 million. The acquisition needs to be cleared by antitrust authorities. BMH BRÄUTIGAM continued their successful cooperation with capiton within the investment of caption’s € 350-mio-fund (capiton IV). For instance, BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised capiton on the set-up and development of the Schur Flexibles Buy-and-Build concept in the last years and the acquisition of POLI-TAPE.

27.12.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises VENTECH S.A. on PICANOVA GmbH participation

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the French Ventech S.A. on a participation in Picanova GmbH.

Picanova, headquartered in Cologne/Germany with offices and production facilities in Riga, Miami and Shenzhen specializes on the design and the manufacturing of a broad range of fully customized and innovative wall decor products such as canvas and aluminium prints. Picanova produces more than 30,000 products per day. Ventech, already existing since 1998, provides further equity to fuel Picanova`s international expansion. Ventech has a focus on European companies active in the digital economy. Companies financed by Ventech represent a turnover of approx. EUR 360 million per year. Ventech has mandated BMH BRÄUTIGAM the first time. With this mandate, BMH BRÄUTIGAM, which has also advised the French Omnes Capital Group (formerly Crédit Agricole) in almost all VC investments in German companies, has strengthen its position with foreign investors focussing on young and innovative German companies. “Beside the Private Equity business on which we have been focussing ever since, we want to build up our activities in the interesting start-up market which is very important in Berlin”, Jan-Peter Heyer, the advising partner for Ventech and Omnes, says.

16.12.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM wins again Acquisition International Legal Award

The English corporate finance journal Acquisition International has published its 2013 Legal Awards for leading international law firms in different categories.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM won the award as „Corporate Litigation Law Firm of the Year - Germany“. 2013 Legal Awards

09.12.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises capiton AG on the Refinancing of nora systems GmbH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised its long standing client capiton AG on the refinancing of its majority shareholding in nora systems GmbH by Intermediate Capital Group plc (ICG).

nora systems, the world leader in rubber-based resilient floor coverings has grown continuously over the last years and with now 1.100 employees it generates a turnover of more than EUR 200 m., more than 75 % thereof outside Germany. Besides the core markets USA and Germany, growth markets in China, Russia, Middle East and Latin America have come into focus. The new shareholders of the company – capiton, ICG and the management team which has increased its shareholding in the course of the refinancing – will jointly accelerate the growth of turnover and profits of the company via additional organic growth and selected add-on acquisitions. The transaction is, inter alia, subject to the approval by the relevant cartel authorities.

18.10.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM advises the shareholders on the sale of Haupt Pharma AG to Aenova

BMH BRÄUTIGAM, jointly with Prange & Partner Rechtsanwälte Wirtschafsprüfer Steuerberater, advised the shareholders of Haupt Pharma AG on the sale of Haupt Pharma Group to Aenova Group.

The company, founded in 1937, generated in 2012 a turnover of EUR 282 mio with 2,000 employees and 9 premises, making it one of the biggest companies for pharmaceutical toll manufacturing and toll development in Europe. Due to the acquisition, Aenova Group will increase its turnover by 60 per cent to EUR 750 mio and its number of employees to over 4,000. The equity for the transaction will primarily be provided by funds managed by BC Partners. BC Partners, a leading private equity company, acquired Aenova Group in 2012 and has intensified the group´s growth since then. Otto Prange, chairman of Haupt Pharma AG’s supervisory board, will continue to hold an interest in Haupt Pharma AG as co-investor of Aenova Group. BMH BRÄUTIGAM advised Haupt Pharma in the last years on stock corporation law issues. BMH BRÄUTIGAM has also advised the buyout of the minority shareholder at the end of 2012 and works for other companies of the Prange Group, to which Haupt Pharma AG belongs.

06.08.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Covus on the launch of Adex

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the Berlin based internet company Covus on the investment into the project “The AdExchange”, short Adex, a joint venture of Covus, the media holding company Virtual Minds and the investment company Blue Interactive from Berlin.

Adex is a new specialist in the field of Real-Time-Advertising and Programmatic Buying Solutions online. The Berlin office will be managed by the head of Blue-Interactive, Dino Bongartz. The company will have another office in London from the start.

Since the sale of browsergames to ProSiebenSat.1, the fast growing Covus Group is working with BMH BRÄUTIGAM in the areas of Venture Capital | Corporate law.

19.07.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM Advises Schur Flexibles on the Acquisition of Alfa-Beta Roto

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Schur Flexibles Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Greek producer of plastic film packaging Alfa-Beta Roto S.A.

Alfa-Beta Roto (www.alfabetaroto.com), founded in 1965, manufactures with 160 employees in three sites, including the most modern facility in Europe, high quality plastic film packaging for the food and pharmaceutical industry. The acquisition is the sixth investment in the context of a Buy-and-Build concept of Schur Flexibles Group, a portfolio company of the private equity firm capiton, in the market of plastic film packaging. BMH BRÄUTIGAM was the leading legal advisor in four of them. Schur Flexibles Group has now sites in Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and Germany for the production of high end flexible packaging solutions for premium applications in the food, tobacco and health care industry.

04.07.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM wins ACQUISITION INTERNATIONAL 2013 M&A Award

The English corporate finance journal Acquisition International has published its 2013 M&A Awards for the best M&A teams in the areas of legal, tax and investment consultancy.

BMH BRÄUTIGAMwon the award as „German Contract Law Firm of the Year“ http://acquisition-intl.com/index.php/awards/2013-maa-awards.

25.06.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised Covus Pro on a crowd funding on Seedmacht

BMH BRÄUTIGAM has advised the new Covus start up Pro.de on the crowd funding round on seedmatch. Pro.de will run a new app store for Windows PCs.

BMH BRÄUTIGAM regularly advises Covus in the areas of corporate law and venture capital.

25.02.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is ranked again Top-Employer Eastern Germany according to the azur 100 magazine

In the current ranking of employers published by “azur 100” magazine, BMH BRÄUTIGAM is once more top-five-ranked in the table of Eastern Germany’s most attractive employers for lawyers.

http://www.azur-online.de/top-arbeitgeber/regionen/bmh-brautigam-partner-2/

25.02.13

BMH BRÄUTIGAM is ranked again Top-Employer Eastern Germany according to the azur 100 magazine

In the current ranking of employers published by “azur 100” magazine, BMH BRÄUTIGAM is once more top-five-ranked in the table of Eastern Germany’s most attractive employers for lawyers.

http://www.azur-online.de/top-arbeitgeber/regionen/bmh-brautigam-partner-2/

19.12.12

BMH BRÄUTIGAM wins ACQUISITION INTERNATIONAL 2012 Legal Award

The English corporate finance journal Acquisition International has published its 2012 Legal Awards for leading international law firms in different categories. BMH BRÄUTIGAM won the award as „German Venture Capital Law Firm of the Year“.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/cc67c078#/cc67c078/1

22.11.12

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & PARTNER Advises H-Bau Technik GmbH on Kunex GmbH Akquisition

The construction materials manufacturer H-Bau Technik GmbH has taken over the main assets of the insolvent Kunststoff-Extrusions- und Verarbeitungs-GmbH’s join tape and hard profiles sections.

Kunex was specialized in the extrusion of PVC. By this acquisition, H-Bau has strengthened its sealing division. Business operations will be continued at the location Chemnitz with the transferred employees. H-Bau Technik is a supplier for construction materials of major projects worldwide like the MAD Building in Oslo, the national stadium in Warsaw and Limmatfeld in Switzerland. H-Bau focuses on constructional sealing, thermal insulation and shuttering systems.

06.09.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner Advises Covus on Joint Venture with ProSiebenSat.1

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised the Berlin entrepreneur Sven Lubek and his Covus Holding on the participation of ProSiebenSat.1 in the newly established Covus Ventures.

By founding Covus Ventures, a new and in Germany unique type of incubator for new digital business models has been created which will not only benefit from Covus’ experience and expertise in this field but which, through the cooperation with the ventures arm of ProSiebenSat.1, will also have easy access to TV advertising. The business of Covus Ventures will be led by Arnd Benninghoff, Chief Digital Office of ProSiebenSat.1, and Covus-founder Sven Lubek. In the next few years, it is planned to create several strong online brands which can generate large profits through the synergy of E-Commerce and television. According to Dr. Christian Wegner, member of the management board of ProSiebenSat.1, Covus Ventures was founded in the strategically important city of Berlin, Europe’s leading place for start-ups and a hub for online technology firms. Through the founding of Covus Ventures, over 100 new jobs shall be created in Berlin. BMH Bräutigam & Partner has already advised Covus last year on its cooperation with ProSiebenSat.1 in the games sector. In this transaction, ProSiebenSat.1 had acquired the majority in Covus Games, the operator of the gaming portal browsergames.de. BMH Bräutigam & Partner has increased its activities in Berlin’s Startup Scene. By advising Sven Lubek on the sale of Covus Games to ProSiebenSat.1 and of Capital Games to Bob Mobile AG as well as advising the Berlin founder Marcus Seidel on the sale of Gutscheine.de to RTL, BMH Bräutigam & Partner has been involved in some of the most important deals of the scene in 2011.

05.09.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner Advises Omnes Capital on Tennis-Point Participation

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised Omnes Capitals, formerly Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE), on a participation in Tennis-Point GmbH, Oelde.

The online dealer Tennis point.de has obtained a seven-digit capital contribution in this first financing round. Tennis point sells more than 12,000 products in the area of tennis. Since 2009 BMH Bräutigam & Partner has advised Omnes on all its VC-Investments in Germany.

17.08.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner wins Acquisition International 2012 M&A Award

The English corporate finance journal Acquisition International has published its 2012 M&A Awards for the best M&A teams in the areas of legal, tax and investment consultancy.

BMH Bräutigam & Partner won the award as „German Contract Law Firm of the Year“. http://www.acquisition-intl.com/index.php/awards/2012-maa-awards

31.07.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises APRICUM on the sale of FHF-Group to Cooper Industries

The diversified global manufacturer of electrical components and tools Cooper Industries plc with 2011 revenues of USD 5,4 billion, one of the oldest major companies of the United States has purchased the FHF-Group of companies headquartered in Mülheim/Ruhr from APRICUM CAPITAL GmbH.

The FHF-Group of companies consisting mainly of the companies Funke + Huster Fernsig GmbH and FHF Bergbautechnik GmbH & Co. KG as well as subsidiaries in the United States, Singapore and China is a worldwide leading manufacturer and distributor of hazardous and industrial telephones, signaling devices and mining communication systems. APRICUM is a privately owned industrial holding company being also the owner of the Metrawatt-Group of companies head quartered in Nurnberg. Simultaneously with the take-over of FHF-Group of companies, the purchaser Cooper was in turn taken over by the US-American industrial giant Eaton Corp in a transaction with a volume of USD 11,8 billion.

14.06.12

Handelsblatt: BMH Lawyers recommended

In corporation with the US publishing house Best Lawyers, the leading German newspaper Handelsblatt has published a list of Germany’s most recommended business lawyers.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Roland Gastell is again named for Labour & Employment. Now Dr. Benedikt Bräutigam has been recommended as one of just two litigation specialists in Berlin. http://tool.handelsblatt.com/tabelle/index.php?id=101&so=1a&pc=25&po=800

15.05.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner appoints two new partners

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has appointed two new partners in 2012. As of 1 January 2012, Johannes Wolf (Litigation) has joined the partnership as a further shareholder and Anna Auerbach, LL.M. (Sydney) (Corporate | M&A) has been made partner of our firm.

With making Johannes Wolf and Anna Auerbach partners we consequently implement our strategy of growth from our own ranks at our own pace. These partner appointments reflect the exceptional quality of our own talent and the successful development of our firm since its foundation in 2007.

25.04.12

BMH BRÄUTIGAM BERÄT SIGNA ZUM JOINT VENTURE KARSTADT SPORT HAMBURG MIT CENTRUM

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat die österreichisch-deutsche SIGNA-Gruppe (Wien/München, Immobilieninvestments) zum Erwerb einer 50%igen Beteiligung an der in der Hamburger Mönckebergstraße gelegene Einzelhandelsimmobilie „Karstadt Sport“ von dem Düsseldorfer Projektentwickler CENTRUM beraten.

Die Immobilie soll im Rahmen eines Joint Venture zwischen SIGNA und CENTRUM wieder- und weiterentwickelt werden. Mit der Transaktion bauen SIGNA und CENTRUM, die u.a. bereits das Shopping Center SEVENS, Königsallee, Düsseldorf, sowie die beiden Karstadt-Warenhäuser „Oberpollinger“ und „Karstadt Sport“, Neuhauser Straße, München, gemeinschaftlich entwickeln, ihre Kooperation weiter aus. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Boris Reschucha und Alexander Nast (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)

05.03.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises Lahmeyer group on the acquisition of Pöyry group’s international water business

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner supports Lahmeyer in the acquisition of Pöyry Environment GmbH. With its registered office in Mannheim, Pöyry Environment GmbH is a worldwide acting company in the fields of water business, seawater desalination, sewage disposal and waste management.

Approximately 70 employees gained a turnover of 12.4 million Euros in 2011. Besides Africa, Pöyry Environment is represented in South-eastern Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia. In future, the company will trade under the name Lahmeyer GKW Consult GmbH. With the acquisition of Pöyry Environment, Lahmeyer amended its worldwide competence of the construction of big water tanks and long distance water supply systems with the components of wastewater treatment and water supply. Lahmeyer International is an independent consulting engineering company with projects in 165 countries and more than 1400 employees worldwide.

01.03.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises Doughty Hanson on the sale of the Business- and Science Park Uferstadt Fürth

The British private equity firm Doughty Hanson has sold the Business- and Science Park Uferstadt Fürth to Investa Real Estate Group. BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised Doughty Hanson in the transaction.

With its 5.8 hectares and about 80,000 square meters of renting space, Uferstadt Fürth is among the biggest office areas in the region. BMH Bräutigam & Partner, at that time under the name Lovells, has already advised Doughty Hanson on the acquisition and the reorganisation and development of the business park. BMH Bräutigam & Partner continuously advises Doughty Hanson in real estate transactions, as, for example, on the sale of Maximilianhöfe in Munich in 2007.

17.02.12

BMH is ranked Top-Employer Eastern Germany according to the azur100 magazine

In the current ranking of employers published by “azur100” magazine, BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner is top-five-ranked in the table of Eastern Germany’s most attractive employers for lawyers.

http://www.azur-online.de/top-arbeitgeber/regionen/bmh-brautigam-partner/

14.02.12

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises Gutscheine.de in the sale to RTL interactive

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised the shareholders of Gutscheine.de HSS GmbH in the sale of their shares to the RTL subsidiary RTL interactive GmbH. After the acquisition by the media group RTL Germany, founder Marcus Seidel still remains Managing Director of the portal.

Gutscheine.de HSS GmbH operates one of the largest German coupon portals. Founded in 2009, the internet portal with headquarter in Berlin offers one of the largest selections in the German internet with several thousand online coupons, actions, as well as regional vouchers. Well-known partners are companies such as Otto, Neckermann, Adidas or Amazon. With the entry into the coupon-business, the media group RTL Germany strengthens their transaction-based business and is expanding advertising-independent businesses. According to their own statement, the media group will, through the acquisition, participate in the strong growing E-Commerce market. With the consulting leading up to the sale of a further internet start-up, BMH Bräutigam & Partner expands its network in the Berlin start-up scene, which gets meanwhile worldwide attention and is even compared with the Silicon Valley. BMH Bräutigam & Partner has now a solid client base of web developers. This includes, among others, Sven Lubek, who most recently was advised by us in the sale of the online games marketer Covus Games to ProSiebenSat.1 Digital, a subsidiary of ProSiebenSat.1 Group, as well as in the sale of the online games publisher Capital Games to Bob Mobile AG, also a provider in the online games sector.

05.01.12

BMH advises capiton AG on the acquisition of Schur Flexible Group

Together with the flexible packaging industry expert Jakob A. Mosser and by reinvestment of the family-owned Danish packaging producer Schur International A/S capiton AG has acquired Schur Flexible Group.

Following the acquisition of the CFS Kempten business in autumn 2011 Schur Flexible is the second investment in the buy-and-build concept currently implemented by capiton and Mr. Mosser in the field of flexible packaging. BMH Bräutigam & Partner advised capiton also in that regard. Schur Flexible Group with establishments in the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and Germany produces high-end flexible packaging solutions for premium applications in the food, tobacco and health care industry. In 2011, Schur Flexible generated sales of approximately EUR 73 mio. and employed some 350 staff.

15.11.11

HAWESKO acquires a majority stake in Wein & Vinos

The stock exchange listed wine merchant HAWESKO (annual sales EUR 380 mio) has acquired a 70 % stake in his Berlin based competitor Wein & Vinos. BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised the shareholders of Wein & Vinos in this transaction.

Wein & Vinos is specialising in Spanish wines and is the leading e-commerce wine merchant in Germany with seven shops in Berlin and Munich. Wein & Vinos had annual sales of EUR 17 mio in 2010 with a 50 % growth in each of the past three years. The two managing shareholders of Wein & Vinos will stay with a minority stake in the company and will continue to manage it.

01.11.11

SIGNA acquires Karstadt department stores “Oberpollinger” and “Sport” in Munich

Austrian-German SIGNA-Group has – together with its joint venture partner CENTRUM, Düsseldorf, (project development) - acquired the two Kartstadt department stores “Oberpollinger” and “Sport” in Munich’s Neuhauser Straße.

The seller is the holding consortium Highstreet. Together with KaDeWe/Berlin and Altsterhaus/Hamburg, the property “Oberpollinger” is one of the three premium-stores of Karstadt-Group. With the transaction SIGNA-Group is further expanding its portfolio of retail properties in prime city locations and, further to the jointly developed shopping centre “Sevens” in Düsseldorf`s Königsallee and “Vattenfallhaus” in Hamburg’s Spitalerstraße, continues its collaboration with CENTRUM. BMH Bräutigam & Partner continuously advises SIGNA-Group with regard to its real estate transactions and its investment funds for institutional investors.

25.10.11

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises capiton AG on the acquisition of a flexible packaging producer from GEA group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner supports capiton AG in the acquisition of the flexible packaging producer CFS Kempten GmbH from GEA group. The business which will be renamed in future to CFS-Dixie Flexibles GmbH is a producer of sophisticated flexible packaging solutions for the food industry.

Based in Kempten/Allgäu, the company is serving customers in more than 50 countries. Founded in 1953, the company has lastly generated sales of approximately EUR 45 mio. and employs some 190 staff. The acquisition is the first investment of a buy-and-build-concept which capiton is currently pursuing in the consumer flexible packaging industry together with Mr. Jakob A. Mosser, an experienced industry manager. Besides capiton, Mr. Mosser and the management will hold a stake in CFS. CFS will be the platform for further acquisitions in the implementation of the buy-and-build concept.

20.09.11

Crédit Agricole Private Equity Aquires Participation in TrustYou GmbH

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) on its participation in TrustYou GmbH, Munich, in which Holtzbrinck Ventures is also invested.

TrustYou is successfully active in the area of social media monitoring, in particular for hotel and restaurant chains. Immediately after the closing of this financing round, TrustYou use part of the new funds for the acquisition of its Dallas, Texas, based competitor ReviewAnalyst. With this acquisition, CAPE expands its German VC-activities which it has intensified since 2009. During this period, BMH Bräutigam & Partners has advised CAPE on all VC-investments in Germany, including the participations in the Electronic Sports League (ESL) operator Turtle Entertainment GmbH, the online eyewear retailer Netzoptiker GmbH and the online service providers plista GmbH and Trusted Shops GmbH.

18.08.11

Start of construction ILA Berlin Air Show

Start of construction for the new exhibition area of the ILA Berlin Air Show at the new airport Berlin Brandenburg. BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner is acting as notaries for the project.

09.06.11

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises Covus Holding on sale of Covus Games to ProSiebenSat1 Digital

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised Covus Holding GmbH on the sale of a 51 percent stake in the onlinegames marketer Covus Games to ProSiebenSat.1 Digital, a subsidiary of ProSiebenSat.1 Group.

The remaining portion will transfer to the tv group in 2013. The sole shareholder, Sven Lubek, will remain managing director of Covus Games. Covus Games operates the extensive gaming protal browsergames.de. The website browsergames.de counts 1.8 million visitors a month, making it the browser-based online games portal with the furthest reach in the German speaking countries. Covus Games also runs the browsergames portal in three additional languages, currently in Poland, Great Britain and USA. With its editorial content and its experience in the areas of development and marketing of online games, the business strenghens the online gaming portfolio of ProSiebenSat.1 Digital. According to its own statement, ProSiebenSat.1 Group aims to become one of the top three providers in Europe in the online games sector – one of the fastes growing segments in the entertainment industry worldwide.

21.04.11

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises capiton AG on stake in the Poli-Tape Group

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has supported its long-term client capiton in buying a stake in the Poli-Tape Group (leading manufacturer of laminating films for individual printing, textile graphics and signs, with plants in Germany, Italy and the USA)

17.03.11

BMH Bräutigam & Partner advises shareholders of Capital Games in sale to Bob Mob

BMH BRÄUTIGAM & Partner has advised the majority shareholder and managing director of the online games publisher Capital Games on the sale of its entire shares in the company.

Capital Games devel-ops, licences and markets (online) computer games. Its online role play game „9 Empires“ and the strategy game „Impasse War“ promise success in the browser games market. Bob Mobile AG, which, markets and sells downloadable mobile products and online games, thus strengthens its games sub-sidiary Just A Game.

10.06.08

BMH BRÄUTIGAM berät SIGNA bei der Auflage des SIGNA RECAP DEVELOPMENT FUND 01

BMH BRÄUTIGAM hat die SIGNA-Gruppe (Wien/München, Immobilieninvestments) bei der Auflage des SIGNA RECAP DEVELOPMENT FUND 01 beraten.

Bei dem SIGNA RECAP DEVELOPMENT FUND 01 handelt es sich um einen vorwiegend an institutionelle Anleger gerichteten Immobilienfond, der hauptsächlich in Neu- oder Wiederentwicklungen von Einzelhandelsimmobilien in 1A-Lagen investiert. Räumlicher Anlageschwerpunkt ist Österreich. BMH BRÄUTIGAM Team: Dr. Johannes Meinel und Boris Reschucha (beide M&A | Immobilientransaktionen)