Dr. Patrick Meiisel

Willkie recently advised Insight Partners as lead investor in the €13 million Series A funding round for Buynomics GmbH, a platform to support enterprise customers with commercial decisions. Existing investors LaFamiglia, Seedcamp, Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures (DvH Ventures) and Tomahawk also participated in the financing round. Based in Cologne, Germany, Buynomics has established a software as a service technology to leverage machine learning and insights from behavioral economics to simulate the preferences and buying decisions of large groups of individual customers. The new funding is expected to help Buynomics widen its lead in predicting consumer behavior in the field of revenue management and commercial decisions, grow the product and commercial teams, and expand into the U.S. market. Insight Partners is a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies. As of June 30, 2022, the firm has over $80 billion in regulatory assets under management. The Willkie team was led by partner Miriam Steets and included partners Matthew Guercio and Patrick Meiisel, counsel Wulf Kring, and associates Denise Kammerer, Max Poschmann and Martin Waśkowski.

Nov 23

1 min

Willkie advised PSG in a growth investment in Sport Alliance GmbH, a Hamburg-based provider of innovative software solutions and services to gyms and health facilities. On November 27, it was announced that PSG committed an additional $100 million to help accelerate Sport Alliance’s growth internationally, building on its initial $65 million investment in the company in 2021. Sport Alliance’s objective is to take the sports and fitness training industry to a new level with cloud-based and digital software solutions. The company serves over 8,000 sports and health facilities and over 5.2 million gym members use its app solutions. The Willkie team was led by partner Dr. Axel Wahl and counsel Dr. Florian Dendl and included partners Dr. Bettina Bokeloh and Dr. Patrick Meiisel, counsel Wulf Kring and Martin Waśkowski and associates Dr. Johanna Thieme and Melina Terwesten.

Nov 30

1 min

On January 18, Willkie client 3i Group plc announced its sale of CHRIST Group, a leading German jewelry and watch retailer, to Morellato Group. Together, CHRIST Group and Morellato Group, an Italian jewelry and watch manufacturer, will have a distribution network of more than 620 stores in Italy, France, Germany and Austria, as well as a digital presence that is unparalleled in Europe. Both the retail stores and the online channel, as well as production and wholesale, are expected to expand in coming years, strengthening the company's leadership position in other European countries. Willkie previously advised 3i in its acquisition of a majority stake in CHRIST in 2014. 3i Group plc is a leading international investment manager focused on mid-market infrastructure and private equity, with core investment markets in North America and Europe. The Willkie team was led by partners Georg Linde and Dr. Michael Ilter and included partners Dr. Axel Wahl and Dr. Patrick Meiisel, counsel Martin Waśkowski and Wulf Kring, and associates Dr. Tobias Gerigk and Dr. Johanna Thieme.

Jan 19

1 min

On December 20, Willkie client PAI Partners announced that it agreed to acquire Savory Solutions Group, a leading international provider of taste and functional solutions for the food sector, from IFF. Savory Solutions Group provides a range of value-add savory ingredients and blends, most notably under the Wiberg and Piasa brands. The solutions are used by food manufacturers, butchers and food service players to improve texture and taste, as well as extend the shelf life of their products. Savory Solutions Group operates 17 manufacturing facilities and nine innovation sites, with over 1,800 employees. It serves more than 11,000 clients across Europe, North America and Asia, and generates approximately €470 million turnover. The Willkie team was led by partners Dr. Axel Wahl and Christophe Garaud, and included partner Dr. Patrick Meiisel and associates Philipp Oehlerking, Dr. Maximilian Hirsch and Dr. Xianrui Wang.

Dec 21

1 min

Willkie recently advised Formel D, a global service provider to the automotive and component supply industry, on a comprehensive refinancing package of €179 million. The financing has been extended for four years, providing Formel D with planning security for the continuation on its strategic development. Formel D is the leading quality service provider for scalable solutions in the areas of testing, supply chain quality, vehicle quality and aftermarket solutions. In recent years, Formel D has established itself as a global partner to the automotive and supplier industry, safeguarding and improving its customers’ quality requirements and targets across the entire value chain. The Willkie team was led by partner Dr. Jasmin Dettmar with assistance from associates Moritz Hechenrieder and Martin Reichert. Partners Georg Linde and Dr. Patrick Meiisel and counsel Wulf Kring also advised on the transaction.

Dec 13

1 min