News
LARK advises Alstin Capital on Series A financing round of Secfix
Secfix, one of Europe’s leading end-to-end security compliance platforms, has successfully closed an oversubscribed Series A financing round of USD 12 million. The round was led by Alstin Capital, with participation from Bayern Kapital and existing investor neosfer, the early-stage investor of the Commerzbank Group.
Founded in Munich in 2021, Secfix provides a cybersecurity and compliance platform that enables companies to efficiently achieve and maintain security certifications. The solution particularly supports fast-growing technology companies by simplifying compliance processes and significantly reducing the operational burden associated with audits and security requirements.
Alstin Capital is a Munich-based early-stage venture capital fund with a focus on B2B software. Since 2012, Alstin has invested across Europe in fast-growing late-seed and Series A software companies.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive legal advice to Alstin Capital on this transaction with Dr. Daniel Wied and Nicholas Schildhauer (both Venture Capital). Dr. Jesko Petersen, in-house counsel at Maschmeyer Group, was also involved on behalf of the investor.
Employment law advice was provided by Ingo Sappa of Pusch Wahlig Workplace Law. IP/IT advice was provided by Inga George of boesling IP Rechtsanwälte.
LARK advises IceLake portfolio company GroundBirds B.V. on the acquisition of GfS
Dutch company GroundBirds B.V. has acquired the German infrastructure company GfS Gesellschaft für Straßenunterhaltung mbH (“GfS”) from Finatem. The acquisition is effected indirectly through the acquisition of GfS Holding GmbH, the sole shareholder of GfS. GroundBirds B.V. is a portfolio company of Dutch private equity investor IceLake.
GfS is a specialized German services provider in the field of road infrastructure and traffic safety, focusing in particular on the installation and maintenance of guardrail systems as well as complementary solutions for road traffic safety.
GroundBirds B.V. is a Netherlands-based holding company that brings together specialized service providers, particularly in the areas of asphalt maintenance, marking and lining, traffic management, and temporary road lighting. The acquisition of GfS marks its first add-on in Germany and supports its continued growth strategy.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive legal advice to GroundBirds B.V. and IceLake on this transaction with Dr. Daniel Epe, Christine Schneemann, Franziska Lang, and Chiara Niestroj (all Private Equity/M&A), Dr. Tobias Stuppi and Jakob Heimrich (both Tax), as well as Philipp Büchler (Finance).
Eckbert Müller and Teresa Gabele from Pusch Wahlig Workplace Law covered the labor law aspects of the transaction, while Christoph Zinger and Sebastian Hamm from Otting Zinger LARK provided support in the area of public procurement law. Thomas Schafft from SSH Rechtsanwälte advised on all IP/IT and data protection issues, and Isabel Oest and Elisa Degner from Commeo provided support in the area of antitrust law.
Chambers ranks LARK in the Global and Germany 2026 Guides
LARK has been recognised in the Chambers and Partners Global and Germany 2026 Guides across Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance and Venture Capital, with individual rankings for Dr. Anselm Lenhard, Dr. Ludger Schult and Dr. Daniel Gubitz.
This recognition reflects consistent client feedback highlighting LARK’s technical excellence, commercial judgement, responsiveness and pragmatic approach.
LARK advises EMERAM and sofatutor on the acquisition of SchoolMouv
The Berlin-based learning platform sofatutor has acquired the French EdTech company SchoolMouv. The transaction aims to bring both platforms closer together to jointly build a European leader in digital education.
Founded in Berlin in 2008, sofatutor today serves more than two million users across the German-speaking region. Private equity investor EMERAM invested in the company in 2021 with the support of the LARK team and has supported its strategic development since. With the acquisition of SchoolMouv, sofatutor has now completed its first add-on acquisition.
SchoolMouv was founded in Toulouse in 2023 and will continue to operate as an independent brand with its own management following the acquisition.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive legal advice to EMERAM and sofatutor on the transaction with Dr. Ludger Schult, Eva-Maria Bayer and Nino Häberlein (all Private Equity/M&A), Dr. Tobias Stuppi and Jakob Heimrich (both Tax), as well as Philipp Büchler (Finance).
Advice on all French law matters was provided by Raphaël Mellerio and Thibaut Richard of Aramis Société d’Avocats.
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).
Christin Stender christin.stender@lark.de