JSK Investments
HAVEL & PARTNERS on the sale of Zásilkovna
We advised JSK Investments and its partners Simona and Jaromír Kijonka on the sale of their share in Packeta. Packeta is the parent company of Zásilkovna, a major domestic technology and logistics group operating not only in the Czech Republic but also in other EU countries.
Our extensive legal advice primarily covered the corporate and competition law aspects. The advice was provided by a team including partners Václav Audes, Jiří Kunášek, Robert Neruda and Jan Šturma; managing associates Silvie Király and Martin Šimek; senior associates Kateřina Kabátová and Martin Rott; and associate Jan Palacký.
Pernod Ricard
Karlovarská Becherovka with a new owner
As its Czech counsel, we represented the French group Pernod Ricard, one of the world’s leading producers of premium wines and spirits, in the sale of the famous Karlovy Vary distillery. Our work included a pre-transaction legal due diligence of Jan Becher – Karlovarská Becherovka, as well as restructuring and the preparation of transaction documentation.
The transaction was led by partners Václav Audes and Ondřej Florián with significant support from managing associate Ivo Skolil, who was the team leader, managing associate Radek Riedl and senior associate Kateřina Trzaska, and associates Ema Černá, Václav Fajkus, and Jan Krejčí.
HP Tronic / HP Invest
Integration of electronics retailers HP Tronic and NAY
We assisted our client, the owner of DATART, a leading domestic network of electrical appliance stores, in its merger with the Slovak group NAY from the same industry.
The transaction was preceded by the purchase of a 25% share in HP Tronic, sold by the Luxembourg-based Genesis Private Equity Fund III. As a result, the DATART chain once again has a single owner, namely HP Tronic / HP Invest. The transaction was led by partner Václav Audes, managing associate Ivo Skolil, and associate Tomáš Jansa.
The competition team represented HP Tronic and NAY in proceedings before the Czech and Slovak antimonopoly authorities for merger clearance. The team was led by partner Robert Neruda and included counsel Roman Světnický, managing associate Dušan Valent and junior associates Robert Nersesjan and Monika Juriková. The merger united the stores in the Czech Republic under the DATART brand and in Slovakia under the NAY brand.
Windyty
Acquisition of Swiss Meteoblue by the Czech operator of Windy.com
We assisted in the merger between Windyty, a Czech company and the world’s leading provider of high-precision meteorological services, and Meteoblue, a Swiss company in the same field. The legal advice, including due diligence, was provided by partner Václav Audes and managing associate Ivo Skolil.
Windyty operates the Windy.com website and app, which is used by nearly 100 million users each month, including meteorologists, pilots and yachtsmen.
Albatros Media
The largest acquisition in the history of the Czech Republic’s leading publishing house
We assisted Albatros Media in its 20th acquisition, which was also the largest in its history by value. Our client acquired a 100% share in Libristo Media, a major online bookstore specialising in the sale of foreign language literature.
The team was led by partner Jan Koval and included managing associate Ivo Skolil, senior associate Martin Rott, and associates Simona Tziata and Tomáš Jansa.
Aspironix
Sale of a 100% share in a medical equipment and services company
Our M&A team assisted Aspironix, a domestic company operating in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and other countries, in its sale to the Swedish Asker Healthcare Group.
Aspironix is dedicated to providing cutting-edge medical equipment and services. The transaction involved partner Martin Peckl, counsel Pavel Ondrák, and junior associate Johana Němečková.
HMH
Advising on the sale of a Slovak technology company to the German Siemens Group
We represented the sole shareholder of HMH, a Slovak technology company specialising in safety systems for railway transport, in the sale of its 100% share to Siemens Mobility, member of the German Siemens Group.
The legal advisory work, which involved partners Jan Koval and Robert Porubský, along with senior associate Peter Košecký, included vendor due diligence, negotiation of transaction documentation, and successful closing of the transaction.
Tilia Impact Ventures, Credo Ventures and Purple Ventures
Investment in Delta Green
As lead investor counsel, we advised on an investment in Delta Green, a green tech startup focused on delivering electricity at the best spot prices. We represented leading CEE investors Tilia Impact Ventures, Credo Ventures and Purple Ventures.
The advisory services were led by partner Jaroslav Baier and the transaction was also handled by associate Jiří Moravec and junior associate Róbert Košala.
Luigi´s Box
Setting up an ESOP incentive programme
We assisted the Slovak startup Luigi’s Box in setting up an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP will enable key associates to participate in the success and growth of the company as co-owners. The legal advice was provided by a team which was led by partner Jaroslav Baier, including managing associate Josef Bouchal, associate Andrea Mochorovská, and junior associate Róbert Košala.
Luigi’s Box specialises in developing AI technology for personalised product search and recommendation, which is used by thousands of online stores around the world.
Imperial Auto
Acquisition of Biebighäuser Slovakia
We provided advice to Imperial Auto, an Indian automotive supplier, backed by Warburg Pincus, a leading global growth capital investor.
Imperial Auto was acquiring the Slovak company Biebighäuser Slovakia, which specialises in the design, development, and industrial production of power unit components.
The team of experts assisting the client with the legal due diligence and the subsequent transaction was led by partner Ondřej Majer, supported by associate Oliver Benda, junior associate Šimon Greguš, and other experts.
Photoneo
Unique debt and equity financing
We provided legal advice to the Slovak company Photoneo on securing USD 12 million in funding. The solution, which included a combination of debt and equity instruments, was secured for Brightpick, a division focused on developing robotic warehouse automation systems across industries.
The transaction, described as the largest venture debt financing for startups in the history of Slovakia, was led by partner Jaroslav Baier and his team, consisting of associates Kristína Saktorová and Miriama Podskubová, and junior associate Róbert Košala. Debt financing of EUR 5 million was provided by the EBRD Venture Capital programme, complemented by equity investment from existing investors in the company.
The financing is aimed at supporting Brightpick’s expansion into the US market. Photoneo, founded in 2013, specialises in 3D machine vision and robotic technologies for warehouse automation across various industries. Brightpick was formed as a spin-off company in 2021.
