Finland’s IPO, share issue and bond markets remained lively in 2018. We are pleased that issuers and other parties seeking financing placed their trust in the expertise of our Capital Markets and Banking & Finance teams.
14.2.2019
Busy and Multifaceted 2018 for Castrén & Snellman Capital Markets and Banking & Finance Teams
Janne Lauha, Sakari Lukinmaa & Tero Tuomisto
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We maintained our position as one of the leading firms in the field and were involved in the year’s most important arrangements, such as IPOs, transactions in the financial sector, structurings and the largest real estate transactions on the market.
Our Capital Markets team was kept busy in 2018 by the following assignments:
We have Finland’s largest and most closely integrated Capital Markets team, with expertise that extends from issues to regulatory advice and transactions in the financial sector. Partners Merja Kivelä and Janne Lauha are renowned as long-time experts in the industry. We appointed two senior associates in 2018, Hannu Huotilainen and Aksu Tuominen. Our team also includes senior associate Anna-Maarit Laurila, associates Viola Valtanen and Lauri Liljavirta and associate trainee Julian Lagus. Furthermore, we just appointed veteran regulatory expert Sami Lommi as Counsel in our team. Sami joins us from Folksam Non-Life Insurance Company, where he has served as member of the management team in charge of legal affairs, HR and Internal Services.
Our Banking & Finance team was involved in the following arrangements in 2018, among others:
Our experienced Banking & Finance team is led by partner Tero Tuomisto together with partner Sakari Lukinmaa. They are assisted by senior associates Mariella Både-Landell and Niko Johansson as well as associates Sonja Hänninen, Juhani Lautjärvi and Henri Kaasalainen. Our team also gained new members in counsel Minna Korhonen, who joined us in October, and associate Valtteri Jalo from the start of the year. Additional hires have already been agreed, and our team is set to grow further this year.
The wide range of our assignments and the strategic planning sessions we engage in with our clients are indicators of the scope of our expertise and the market’s faith in us. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and will venture into 2019 with the same spark and dedication to our work while continuing to develop our expertise.
Despite the volatile market conditions, our books are already filling up for 2019, and the year is looking promising.
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Latest references
Efima – Sale of AI business
We advised Efima Oyj on the sale of its AI business to Better Care Technologies Oy. The transaction included Efima’s Moiva AI platform developed for the care sector, the related technology and brand, customer contracts, and the experts working in the business. Efima is a Finnish digital company that supports the sustainable growth of large and mid-sized companies by streamlining their business processes and by creating competitive advantage through the innovative use of artificial intelligence and data. The company has nearly 200 experts based in Helsinki and Tampere.
Case published 21.9.2026
Neoen – Sale of data centre
We advised Neoen Renewables Finland Oy, part of the French Neoen Group, in its sale of a data centre project to a consortium consisting of international data centre developers and operators. This marked Neoen’s first data centre development project in Finland. Founded in 2008, Neoen is one of the world’s leading independent renewable energy producers. The company operates in 15 countries. It develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates solar power plants, wind farms, and battery storage systems. Neoen Group is owned by global alternative asset manager Brookfield Corporation.
Case published 17.9.2026
Jolt Capital and Tesi – Investment in VEV
We advised Jolt Capital and Tesi in connection with their investment in VEV, a leading provider of commercial fleet electrification solutions. The investment, led by Jolt Capital with Tesi as co-investor, will support VEV’s next phase of growth and expansion across Europe. As part of the transaction, VEV became an independent company following the acquisition of Vitol’s stake in the business. Founded by Vitol, VEV provides integrated fleet electrification solutions combining fleet strategy, charging infrastructure, energy supply and operational services. Through its VEV IQ platform, the company supports more than 6,000 commercial electric vehicles across Europe and has been deployed across more than 600 sites spanning the transport, logistics and waste sectors. Jolt Capital is a private equity firm focused on growth investments in European deeptech companies. Tesi is a Finnish state-owned investment company that promotes Finnish business and economic growth through investments. We advised Jolt Capital and Tesi on the equity financing and structuring aspects of the transaction. International law firm Goodwin advised the investors on the acquisition of VEV.
Case published 10.9.2026
VR Group – Intellectual property matters
VR-Group Plc is a transport and logistics group owned by the Finnish State, operating passenger and freight rail transport in Finland with activities also in the Swedish market. VR Group provides passenger, logistics and maintenance services with over 160 years’ experience in developing responsible transport of the future. We advise VR Group in intellectual property matters as part of the company’s wider brand protection efforts. Our assignments have included advice on copyright, design rights and trademarks, focusing on the protection of the company’s visual identity – including its distinctive green colour – in connection with transport services as part of a comprehensive IP protection strategy. VR Group’s consistent brand building has also received recognition, including the Finland Chamber of Commerce’s Brand of the Year award in 2026. In the competition, brands were viewed comprehensively from various perspectives, including their story, strategic role, brand renewal ability and intellectual property protection. The jury found that VR had understood the importance of the protection of its brand as part of a comprehensive business strategy.
Case published 9.9.2026