News
LARK advises Econocom Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in bb-net media GmbH
Econocom Deutschland Holding GmbH has acquired a majority stake in bb-net media GmbH from Synapsion GmbH and CEO Marco Kuhn.
bb-net media GmbH is a German market leader for IT refurbishment. It will continue to be managed by Marco Kuhn. Michael Bleicher, founder of bb-net media GmbH, will remain a shareholder via its investment company Synapsion GmbH.
Econocom Deutschland, headquartered in Frankfurt, is part of the international Econocom Group. The group has been supporting SMEs, corporations and the public sector with IT procurement, financing and services for almost 40 years. Econocom claims to be the first digital general contractor in Europe.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive advice to the Econocom Group on this transaction with Dr. Daniel Epe, Chiara Niestroj (both Corporate/M&A) and Dr. Tobias Stuppi (Tax), supported in particular by LARK's finance team.
On Econocom's side, the transaction was led in-house by Jérôme Lehmann (General Counsel M&A/Head of Corporate Affairs) and Benjamin Pehau (Head of M&A).
Chambers recognizes LARK as a leading firm in 4 practice areas
We are thrilled to announce that Chambers and Partners has ranked LARK in both the Chambers Global Guide and the Chambers Germany Guide, recognizing us as a leading firm in the areas Corporate/M&A, Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Banking & Finance.
Furthermore, we have also been nominated for the Chambers Germany Awards in the category "Newcomer of the Year (Corporate/M&A)"!
A huge thank you goes out to our great team and our clients. We appreciate your trust, your cooperation and your commitment every day.
Can’t wait to continue pushing boundaries together and supporting our clients in their next big challenges.
LARK advises Afinum’s portfolio company synaforce on the acquisition of Herbst Datentechnik
synaforce, a leading provider of innovative cloud and data center solutions, has acquired Herbst Datentechnik GmbH. As provider of managed cloud services, Herbst Datentechnik will initially remain an independent company and brand. Its managing directors Patrick Herbst and Marco Wolfrum will continue to play a central role.
The synaforce group is a combination of data center experts from all over Germany. With traditional roots in Bavaria, its sustainable data centers enable 360-degree services.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK advised Afinum’s portfolio company synaforce on this transaction with Dr Ludger Schult, Eva-Maria Bayer and Franziska Lang (all Private Equity/M&A), Dr Anselm Lenhard, Philipp Büchler and Valentina Groll (all Finance), Dr Tobias Stuppi and Jakob Heimrich (Tax).
LARK was supported by Dr. Benjamin Koch, Dr. David Weller and Leonard Pietsch (all IP/IT/data protection) of Lubberger Lehment Rechtsanwälte. Dr. Marius Fritzsche of ELP Rechtsanwälte covered all labour law aspects.
synaforce is a portfolio company of private equity investor Afinum. The LARK team led by Dr Ludger Schult has previously advised synaforce on all six add-ons forming the synaforce group.
LARK advises FSN Capital and its portfolio company TASKING on the acquisition of LDRA
TASKING GmbH, a leading provider of embedded software development tools, has acquired LDRA, a UK-based software company with further operations in the United States, India, and Germany.
Founded in 1977, TASKING has continuously expanded its range of development tools and services for embedded software through acquisitions. It plays a leading role in safety-critical markets such as automotive, industrial and aerospace among others.
LDRA develops software tools that automate the analysis and testing of software code, primarily for safety-, security-, and business-critical markets.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK advised FSN Capital and TASKING on this transaction with Dr Ludger Schult and Dr Daniel Epe (co-lead), Taoran Sun (all Private Equity/M&A), Dr Anselm Lenhard, Philipp Büchler and Valentina Groll (all Finance) as well as Dr Tobias Stuppi (Tax).
The law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP advised on all UK and US aspects of the transaction while Trilegal supported with regard to all matters concerning India. LARK was further supported by Dr. Andreas Boos of Buntscheck on antitrust issues.
TASKING is a portfolio company of the private equity investor FSN Capital. The LARK team led by Dr Ludger Schult regularly advises FSN Capital and its portfolio companies.
LARK advises Ion Beam Applications on its investment in mi2-factory
Ion Beam Applications S.A. (IBA), the world leader in particle accelerator technology, has acted as lead investor in the strategic financing of mi2-factory GmbH (mi2-factory), a spin-off of the University of Applied Sciences in Jena, Germany. IBA invested alongside Wallonie Entreprendre International (WE International), the international arm of the Walloon public investment company.
IBA and WE International have each invested EUR 5 million, securing a combined 30% stake (15% each). The total additional resources for mi2-factory, including this investment, equity contributions from existing shareholders, and a grant under the Important Project of Common European Interest for Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME/CT), amount to approximately EUR 40 million. In addition, IBA is contributing its leading expertise in the field of compact industrial particle accelerator technology.
Mi2-factory specializes in nitrogen implantation in silicon carbide (SiC). This process improves the efficiency of SiC power semiconductor chips used in applications such as electromobility, wind and solar power generation and renewable energy grids.
IBA is a medical technology company based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, and employs around 2,000 people worldwide. It is the leading provider of equipment and services in the field of proton therapy, industrial sterilisation, radiopharmaceuticals and dosimetry.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive legal advice to IBA throughout this financing round with Dr Daniel Gubitz, Nicholas Schildhauer and Fabienne Pflug (all Corporate/Venture Capital).
LARK advises all shareholders of I.D. Riva Tours on sale to DERTOUR Deutschland
DERTOUR Deutschland GmbH has acquired the specialist tour operator I.D. Riva Tours. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, subject to merger control approval.
The DERTOUR Group, headquartered in Cologne, Germany, is the travel division of REWE Group. It is one of Europe's leading travel groups, with more than 130 companies.
I.D. Riva Tours is one of the most renowned tour operators in Croatia. The established brand will continue under the umbrella of the DERTOUR Group.
The Business Law Powerhouse LARK provided comprehensive advice to all shareholders of I.D.Riva Tours on this transaction with Dr Daniel Wied, Dr Patrick Droese and Nino Häberlein (all Corporate/M&A), Dr Tobias Stuppi and Jakob Heimrich (both Tax). The labour law aspects were covered by Dr. Jens Jensen of backup.legal.
LARK advises the majority owner of InteRes on the sale of its shares to the Juniper Group
Software conglomerate and investor Juniper Group has acquired InteRes Gesellschaft für Informationstechnologie mbH („InteRES“), a leading specialist in digital distribution for the aviation industry. Peakwork, which joined the Juniper Group in 2023, has sponsored this transaction internally.
The Juniper Group is a portfolio company of Vela Software and Constellation Software, Inc. (TSX:CSU), and is a network of travel and other companies specialising in vertical market software.
InteRES is a provider of Internet booking technology that enables travel distribution companies to deliver relevant flight content. Under the new ownership, InteRES will retain its independent brand.
Peakwork was founded in 2009 and specialises in dynamic packaging and distribution software for the travel industry.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK comprehensively advised the majority owner of InteRes, Volker Herrmann, on this transaction. The team included Dr Daniel Wied and Nino Häberlein (both Corporate/M&A), Dr Tobias Stuppi and Jakob Heimrich (both Tax). Dr. Jens Jensen from backup.legal covered the labour law aspects. Jürgen Beckers of Rechtsanwälte BDH provided IP/IT advice.
Happy Birthday, LARK!
One year ago we founded LARK - and what a remarkable journey it has been so far! We have grown at all levels with outstanding individuals who strengthen our team every day. Together, we have successfully closed many important deals and earned the trust of our valued clients. We are particularly proud that many new clients have chosen LARK for the first time.
But it's not just about achievements on paper: we have shaped a unique corporate culture defined by our LARK Values: Respect & Tolerance, Excellence and Passion. The LARK Values shape our daily interactions and the way we serve our clients.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey - for your trust, support and commitment.
This is only the beginning. Here's to more success to come!
LARK advises Norrsken VC on investment in SpotmyEnergy GmbH
Norrsken VC has successfully led a EUR 10,5 million seed financing round for SpotmyEnergy GmbH. Vorwerk Ventures and existing investor Picus Capital also participated in the round.
SpotmyEnergy GmbH, a Cologne-based start-up, turns homes into virtual batteries, enabling households to actively participate in the energy market. The company‘s solution combines smart meters, energy management systems, and dynamic tariffs, enabling consumers to reduce energy consumption from the grid.
Norrsken VC is Europe’s leading early-stage impact investor. The funds managed by Norrsken VC have a total volume of EUR 435 million. Norrsken VC invests in companies that measurably and intentionally contribute to social or environmental goals.
Business Law Powerhouse LARK comprehensively advised Norrsken VC with Dr. Daniel Gubitz, Max Hentrich and Dr. Janosch Engelhardt (all Venture Capital/Corporate Law) on this transaction.
Christin Stender christin.stender@lark.de