News
LARK advises microsynetics GmbH on its Series A financing
microsynetics GmbH, operating under the brand Gardia, has successfully completed a Series A financing round in the amount of EUR 8.5 million. The financing round was led by Peak, with participation from amberra and Butterfly & Elephant. Existing investors BonVenture, Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures, Beurer, as well as several business angels, also participated in the round.
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Soest, Germany, microsynetics GmbH develops and operates a mobile emergency call system for seniors, combining proprietary hardware, software and AI-based fall detection. The Gardia system is designed for everyday use both at home and on the go and is reimbursed by German statutory health insurance providers.
The proceeds of the Series A financing will be used to further scale Gardia’s business in the DACH region, expand internationally, and accelerate the development of new product generations and B2B partnerships in the healthcare and care sectors.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive legal advice to microsynetics GmbH throughout this financing round with Dr Daniel Gubitz, Nicholas Schildhauer and Dr Janosch Engelhardt (all Corporate/Venture Capital).
Pro Bono: LARK advises CREATE & CRY CLUB on the formation of a non-profit association
LARK’s Pro Bono practice has provided comprehensive legal advice to the founders of CREATE & CRY CLUB in connection with the establishment of a non-profit association.
CREATE & CRY CLUB organises creative workshops both online and in person, aimed in particular at helping young adults combat loneliness and strengthen their mental health. The focus lies on shared creative activities, reflection, exchange, and community. Art and creative expression can activate self-healing capacities and thereby make an important contribution to the prevention of mental health challenges.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK advised CREATE & CRY CLUB on corporate and tax law matters. The team included Malte D. Krohn and Nadja Crombach.
Social engagement is an integral part of LARK’s identity. Through its Pro Bono practice, LARK regularly provides free legal advice to individuals and organisations that cannot afford legal counsel.
We primarily advise non-profit organisations in the fields of education, human rights, and nature and environmental protection on corporate and tax law matters.
LARK welcomes Dr. Julian Siller!
In February, Business Law Powerhouse LARK further strengthened its team with the addition of tax expert Dr. Julian Siller as Counsel. He joins from Freshfields.
With his arrival, LARK continues to expand its tax practice led by Dr. Tobias Stuppi. The team was previously enhanced in September with the addition of partner Dr. Oded Schein, whose work focuses on the intersection of transactional and tax law. The practice group also includes one associate.
Dr. Siller advises on the tax aspects of national and international transactions, with a particular focus on M&A, private equity, and venture capital. He has gained extensive experience on numerous high-profile mandates, including advising RTL Deutschland on the acquisition of Sky Deutschland and 3M Company on the spin-off of its healthcare division across more than 90 jurisdictions.
“We are delighted that Julian, an outstanding lawyer and tax advisor, is joining our team,” says Dr. Tobias Stuppi. “His arrival highlights the dynamic growth of our tax practice and further strengthens our capabilities in advising on complex tax matters.”
Dr. Siller began his career at Freshfields in Munich in 2019 and qualified as a tax advisor in 2023.
LARK launches Restructuring & Special Situations practice
LARK is significantly expanding its advisory offering with the launch of a dedicated Restructuring & Special Situations practice. As of April 2026, restructuring and financing expert Fabrice Hipp will join LARK as Partner, together with Dr. Michael Berger as Counsel. Kirstin Kemper will follow as Associate in July. The team most recently worked closely together at Kirkland & Ellis.
With these additions, LARK further strengthens its transaction-driven advisory platform and responds to the increasing demand for high-end legal advice in restructuring, distressed and special situations. The new practice will advise on the full spectrum of special financings, financial restructurings and restructuring-related transactions, including distressed M&A, and will closely complement LARK’s existing Corporate/M&A and Banking & Finance practices.
Fabrice Hipp began his career at Kirkland & Ellis in 2015 and was appointed Partner in 2023. His practice focuses on financings, international restructurings and complex stress and distressed situations. He has advised on numerous national and cross-border transactions, including funds managed by Fasanara Capital on the recapitalisation of the Grover Group under a StaRUG proceeding, Strategic Value Partners and Blantyre Capital on the acquisition and restructuring of OQ Chemicals (now OXEA), and Farallon Capital on the financing of the acquisition and subsequent redevelopment of a property in Munich city centre.
Dr. Michael Berger advises investors, creditors and debtors on cross-border restructurings, corporate acquisitions and insolvencies. His experience includes advising alongside Fabrice Hipp on the Grover StaRUG restructuring, assisting Actera Group with the financial restructuring of Standard Profil by way of a UK scheme of arrangement, and advising the joint representative of all bondholders of Wirecard AG.
Kirstin Kemper began her career in 2023. She was part of the team advising on the acquisition and restructuring of OQ Chemicals (now OXEA) and assisted Farallon Capital on the financing of the acquisition and redevelopment of a property in Munich.
“Restructuring advice cannot be separated from strong Corporate/M&A and financing expertise. LARK is already excellently positioned in these areas. Our clients will benefit from clear synergies and an even more comprehensive advisory offering,” says Fabrice Hipp.
Dr. Anselm Lenhard, co-founding partner of LARK and head of the Banking & Finance practice, adds: “With Fabrice Hipp and his team, we gain proven restructuring and financing expertise that is particularly in demand in the current market environment. This expansion is an excellent fit with our transaction-focused advisory approach.”
LARK advises Afinum on the sale of Threema Holding AG
Afinum has sold Threema Holding AG to Comitis Capital. Threema is a leading provider of highly secure digital communication solutions. These are currently used by more than 15 governments globally and by a broad base of enterprises operating in security-sensitive environments.
Under Afinum's ownership, Threema tripled its annual recurring revenue and significantly strengthened its position as a trusted partner for public institutions and enterprises. The management team will continue to run the company after the sale.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK advised Afinum on the German law aspects of this transaction with Ludger Schult and Eva-Maria Bayer (both Private Equity/M&A).
LARK advises Afinum on its investment in Ergon Informatik AG
Afinum has invested in Swiss Ergon Informatik AG. To this end, Afinum has entered into a partnership with Ergon's management and reinvesting shareholders to jointly invest in Ergon.
This is the second platform investment of the recently launched Afinum X fund. The transaction strengthens the strategy of Afinum to invest in succession situations and promote technology-oriented companies.
Ergon is a leading Swiss provider of software solutions and services with a cybersecurity software suite under the Airlock brand. The company employs more than 400 people and serves customers worldwide.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK advised Afinum on the German law aspects of this transaction with Ludger Schult and Franziska Lang (both Private Equity/M&A) as well as Philipp Büchler (Finance).
LARK nominated for the azur Awards 2026
We are proud that LARK has been nominated for the azur Awards 2026! This nomination means a lot to us, as it highlights what we truly care about: making a real difference for young professionals and the legal talent market.
After being honored with three “Newcomer of the Year” awards last year, we see this nomination as an important next step on our journey, demonstrating that we are increasingly being recognized as an attractive employer.
A huge thank you to the azur editorial team for the nomination. And above all, heartfelt thanks to our amazing team – for your daily commitment with excellence and passion!
The azur Awards ceremony will take place on March 19, 2026, in Cologne.
LARK promotes Eva-Maria Bayer to counsel
Business Law Powerhouse LARK has promoted transaction lawyer Eva-Maria Bayer to counsel. With this promotion, LARK further strengthens its successful private equity and M&A practice.
“We are proud to have appointed Eva as our first counsel from within our own ranks in the LARK private equity practice,” says Dr Ludger Schult, private equity partner and co-founder of LARK. “With her high level of professional expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and strong team spirit, she embodies the values our firm stands for. Eva's appointment as counsel demonstrates LARK's consistent focus on internal development and long-term perspectives.”
Eva-Maria Bayer began her career in 2019 as part of Dr Ludger Schult's team and moved to LARK with his team at the beginning of 2024. From the outset, she advised national and international private equity firms – including Afinum, EMERAM Capital, and FSN Capital – as well as companies on complex transactions.
In addition to her extensive transaction experience, Eva has built up particular expertise in corporate law, especially in advising on management and employee participation programs.
LARK's private equity practice currently has 5 partners, 2 counsels, and 7 associates.
LARK advises CertHub GmbH on EUR 6.2 million seed round
CertHub GmbH has successfully completed a seed financing round in the amount of EUR 6.2 million. In addition to lead investor Cusp Capital, other participants in the round included D11Z. Ventures, Calm/Storm, and UnternehmerTUM.
CertHub was founded in Munich in 2024 and is developing an AI-powered compliance platform designed to make the regulatory hurdles for medical device approval more transparent and scalable. To this end, the team led by founders Leon Kobinger and Nicolas Gehring is automating technical documentation in line with MDR and ISO requirements. This allows innovative medical devices to reach the European market more quickly without bypassing the necessary regulatory diligence.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK comprehensively advised CertHub on this transaction with Dr. Daniel Gubitz and Dr. Janosch Engelhardt (both Venture Capital/Corporate Law).
Christin Stender christin.stender@lark.de