EMZ Partners’ Post

Baker McKenzie has advised Enterprise Investors Fund IX on the acquisition of a majority stake in Sescom Polska, a technology company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The value of the transaction is PLN 104 million (EUR 24.4 million). The transaction is important for both parties from a commercial point of view, but also as a public M&A, it poses a unique challenge due to its complexity. The structure of the transaction involves several stages including, in particular, the squeeze out of Sescom shares, obtaining the approval of anti-monopoly authorities in Poland and Serbia for the transaction, and the delisting of Sescom shares from the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The degree of complexity of the transaction and its multi-stage structure required advanced legal and regulatory analysis, the use of the Baker McKenzie team's long experience in handling public M&A, extensive knowledge of current market and regulatory practice, and close cooperation and coordination between Baker McKenzie's various practices. The project was led by partners Marcin Chyliński (Capital Markets) and Łukasz Targoszyński (Private Equity/M&A), with support from Jerzy Bombczyński, Joanna Lis, Anna Pawluczuk and Marta Rykalovska. Support in due diligence and other aspects of the transaction was provided by Piotr Ciepiela, Marcin Fiałka, Julia Gorczyca, Stanisław Gorzeliński, Kajetan Huruk, Mikołaj Karniszewski, Anna Krekora, Krystian Kurgan, Katarzyna Macieląg, Kamil Matyśkiewicz, Michał Pakosz, Konrad Rutkowski and Klaudia Walczak. In antitrust issues, support was provided by Michał Derdak, Karolina Jurzyk and Mikołaj Piaskowski. We would like to thank our client, Enterprise Investors (Sebastian Krol, Małgorzata Jędrzejczyk, Piotr Osiejuk, Katarzyna Świątek) for their trust. This is another transaction in which members of our team supported Enterprise Investors and we are proud to have been part of the transaction team. We would also like to thank the Sellers (in particular Sławomir Halbryt and Sławomir Kądziela, PhD, who will remain shareholders of Sescom), PwC (Adam Demusiak, Jerzy Budzyński, Nadia Słomczyńska, Magda Schröer), IPOPEMA Securities (Marcin Bañkowski, Małgorzata Jurczak, Mariusz Kociszewski) and the GESSEL Attorneys at law (Marcin Macieszczak, Michał Wieliński, Krzysztof Jasiński, Marcin Walczak) for their efficient cooperation and their contribution to this project.   #BakerMcKenzie #EnterpriseInvestors #Sescom #PrivateEquity #Mergers #Acuqisitions #TransactionalPowerHouse

Fresh off his firm’s biggest acquisition to date, Haig Ariyan sees two trends in the RIA industry: continued consolidation and a place for “hybrid” firms with both advisory and brokerage arms. #wealthmanagement #mergersandacquisitions #advisors Arax Investment Partners

🚀 #Transformation of the #Economy towards #Sustainability - Commerzbank AG and Aquila Capital to join forces! 🚀 Commerzbank AG significantly expands its asset management business and acquires a majority stake in sustainable #investments expert Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft. What a remarkable transaction at the intersection of the #financial and #renewable sectors. Congratulations to Commerzbank AG and Aquila Capital teams, and thanks to all parties involved for the excellent collaboration on this landmark transaction. #RenewableEnergy #FIG #AssetManagement

Independent sponsors are gleaning attention across the M&A marketplace, largely due to their deep (specialized) industry expertise and innovative deal structures. Because they focus on fully tailored financing solutions on a deal-by-deal basis, independent sponsors offer unique advantages for sellers, individual investors, and even private equity firms. In this article, I explore how this trend is reshaping the M&A landscape, particularly in the lower middle market, and why it can be an attractive option for all parties involved. #independentsponsormergersandacquisitions #fundlesssponsors #lowermiddlemarkettransactions #acquisitionsoptions #mergersandacquisitionsbuyers https://lnkd.in/eWsp22_W

An excerpt of my interview with Sukanya Sarkar six months ago published in the Managing IP website: “An IP valuation report essentially allows investors to realise the value of a start-up’s intangible assets and can convince them to provide additional runway,” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g7zQ4YbG (Subscription required.)

In the changing landscape of #venturecapital, it’s more important than ever to stay ahead of the latest legal #trends in the venture capital market. Several Gibbons attorneys co-authored a practice guide for Chambers and Partners Global Practice, titled, “Venture Capital 2024 Trends and Developments.” The guide takes the practitioner through the current venture capital environment, addressing #fundstructures, economics and #regulation, and #investments in venture capital companies, including due diligence, documentation, #investorsafeguards and #corporategovernance, government subsidies and tax, employee incentivisation, and exits. The authors, all from the Gibbons Corporate Group, are: Frank Cannone, Chair; Michael Lubben, Director; Peter Flagel, Director; and Calvin Jonker, Associate. To read the full practice guide, see https://lnkd.in/envKgiZb

Here's a quick #roundup of the latest PE news in 2024: 1. Despite last year's suppressed dealmaking due to high interest rates, 2024 is off to a promising start. According to David DeVoe, CEO of DeVoe & Co., the PE sector is experiencing a resurgence, with six significant deals already announced. 2. Mariner Wealth Advisors recently acquired Confluence Financial Planning, based in Sacramento, California. This strategic move adds $360 million in assets across 285 clients to Mariner's portfolio. It's a significant addition for Mariner, already bolstered by Leonard Green & Partners since 2021. 3. Mercer Global Advisors made a notable acquisition with Denver-based Transitions Wealth Management. This addition brings in $465 million in assets and over 400 clients. Mercer's growth trajectory continues, having added a third private equity investor and a minority stake sale to Atlas Partners last year 4. Savant Wealth Management has opened its first Florida office by acquiring FirstWave Financial. With $440 million in assets under management, this acquisition is a strategic move for Savant, which completed 11 deals in 2023 and is backed by Kelso & Company 5. M Group Services, backed by PAI Partners, acquired AgilityEco, a fuel efficiency service company. Additionally, Macquarie Capital is leading a consortium to acquire Swedish IT firm Byggfakta for about $1 billio Follow us for more insights! #privateequity #privateequityfirms #sirotinventures #pitchbook

Taking Your Company Public: A Key Milestone   Deciding to take a company public through an IPO or an APO is a significant milestone for any business owner. This process, while complex, opens doors to raising capital, expanding operations, and ensuring long-term viability.   At Bevilacqua PLLC, we bring over two decades of securities and transactional law experience to guide you seamlessly through the journey of becoming a public company. Our comprehensive representation covers every aspect, from initial planning to the final public offering, ensuring your transition is smooth and successful.   Why Go Public? • Access to Capital: Raise funds for development and debt repayment. • Increased Exposure: Enhance your company's public perception and status. • Attract Top Talent: Offer employee equity options to draw in top-tier professionals. • Growth Opportunities: Use share capital for acquisitions and expansion.   Challenges to Consider: • Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to expanded disclosure and compliance requirements. • Operational Costs: Managing increased expenses and operating costs. • Public Scrutiny: Navigating the pressures of public performance and potential litigation risks.   https://lnkd.in/evWXrJ-h   #IPO #PublicOffering #BusinessGrowth #CapitalRaising #BevilacquaPLLC #SecuritiesLaw #GoingPublic #BusinessMilestones #APO #CorporateFinance #PublicCompany #InvestmentBanking #FinancialSuccess #LegalExpertise

Over a quarter of businesses in the South East use private equity to fund their growth. Making sure you are prepared and that you fully understand the process is critical for this type of investment to succeed. From sales and acquisitions to strategic investments, the HCR Law Thames Valley Corporate team can support businesses with a range of corporate matters. To find out more about how you can prepare your business for investment visit: https://lnkd.in/eRQ6E5es #HCRLaw #Corporate #ThamesValley #Investment #CorporateLaw #PrivateEquity

This absolutely hits on all the key points. Preparation in advance is critical to the best exit. This article sounds like the talking points the team at SEA shares with prospective sellers.