15.6.2021

Antti Vepsä Brings New Fund Expertise to Castrén & Snellman’s PE&VC Team

Castrén & Snellman’s Private Equity & Venture Capital service has hired a new fund expert: Antti Vepsä, Master of Laws, M.Sc. (Econ.) will join the team as a senior associate at the start of August.

Antti is joining the firm from OP Financial Group, where he has worked extensively on fund-related projects. Antti has researched the regulation of investment funds, particularly foreign fund regulation and market practices. He is currently working on a doctoral dissertation at the University of Tampere on the regulation of funds established as variable capital investment companies.

‘I am looking forward to working on assignments at C&S. I anticipate that my skills and research findings will be of great benefit to the fund projects of the firm’s clients. In the current market situation, alternative asset categories have raised their profile: new and innovative products are being developed and there is motivation to offer them to a wider pool of investors. On the other hand, there is a will to develop the regulation of funds established as variable capital investment companies, as we saw in the project to reform fund regulation that ran from 2016 to 2019. I believe that this matter will move forward in Finland in the next few years. When that happens, our team will be well placed to provide solutions to our clients’, Antti says.

‘Antti’s extensive experience on both the fund manager and investor sides supplements our team’s fund advisory resources and our ability to serve an extensive clientele well in the diversifying field of fund projects. The demand for our services has grown significantly over the past few years. Antti is an excellent addition to our team’, says Partner Jarno Tanhuanpää, the head of our Private Equity & Venture Capital service.

Among other things, Antti will focus on establishing alternative investment funds, fund due diligence projects, secondary market trading in limited partnership interests and other collective investment projects. Antti’s versatile and extensive experience as an in-house lawyer positions him well to support clients in fund-related product development, management, taxation and sustainable investment matters.

‘We are at an exciting place in sustainable finance. Investors expect concrete actions and proof that they have been taken as well as systematic measurement of impacts. The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority is already requiring funds to clarify sustainability documentation and the authority’s interpretations have yet to become established. Helping clients in this dynamic situation is an interesting challenge’, Antti says.

Latest references

We are proud to have provided legal assistance to PwC in the successful public tendering process for the comprehensive renewal of Kela’s benefits processing systems. Kela is the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, and this project is a significant cornerstone in modernising Finland’s social security infrastructure. PwC was selected as Kela’s strategic partner to implement a comprehensive overhaul of the benefits processing systems, digital services, customer relationship management, and information exchange platforms. The project aims to meet the demands of the future digital environment and enhance customer experience through the adoption of Salesforce technology. The new systems are expected to simplify benefit processes, enhance user experience for both customers, employees and other stakeholders, and ensure adaptability to future legislative changes. Castrén & Snellman provided strategic legal support to PwC throughout its successful bidding process, which was carried out through a competitive negotiated procedure. We extend our warmest congratulations to PwC for their successful bid and look forward to seeing the positive impact of this project on Finland’s social security system.
Case published 24.4.2025
We advised Milexia Group, a portfolio company of the French PE sponsor Crédit Mutuel Equity, on its acquisition of the activities of Alpha Positron Oy, a Finnish distributor specializing in GPS/GNSS, time and frequency solutions for the electronics industry, process automation, corporate IT, defense, and other demanding markets. Milexia Group is one of the world’s leading European suppliers for high-quality electronic components, systems and scientific instruments technology. It has offices, warehouses and technical centres in France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Nordics and Hong Kong. The acquisition aligns with Milexia’s strategy to expand its presence in the Nordic region and enhance its portfolio of communication solutions.
Case published 24.4.2025
We are acting as legal advisor to Piippo Plc in the sale of their bale netwrap and baler twine machines, related assets, and trademarks used in Piippo’s business to Portuguese Cotesi S.A. The sale of assets will be carried out in two phases and the final completion of the transaction is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2026. Piippo Oyj’s core business is baling nets and twine and it is one of the leading suppliers in the industry globally. The company’s global distribution network covers more than 40 countries. The company’s shares are listed on the First North Growth Market Finland operated by Nasdaq Helsinki Oy. Founded in 1967, Cotesi is one of the world’s leading producers of synthetic and natural twines, nets and ropes, with operations in Europe, North America and South America and its main production plant in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Case published 17.4.2025
We acted as Finnish legal adviser to KKR in connection with its acquisition of the entire share capital of Karo Healthcare from EQT. The transaction follows Karo’s significant strategic transformation from a Nordic specialty pharma business into a leading pan-European consumer healthcare platform, with an attractive product portfolio spanning core categories such as Skin Health, Foot Health, and Intimate Health, as well as Digestive Health and Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements. KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds.  Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the coming months.
Case published 17.4.2025