Mergermarket has chosen Castrén & Snellman as the M&A Legal Adviser of the Year 2017 in Finland. This has been yet another strong year for our M&A team with – among many other highlights – three landmark deals that paved the way for this award.
15.12.2017
Mergermarket Awards Castrén & Snellman’s Expertise in Complex M&A Work
We advised Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company in the merger with Etera Mutual Pension Insurance Company, which is recognised as one of the most significant and complex transactions on the Finnish market this year.
We were also the only law firm to be involved in both public takeovers on the Finnish market, advising Comptel in the takeover by Nokia and Sponda in the takeover by Blackstone, which was the largest ever real estate transaction in Finland.
–All three deals are great examples of the combined transaction and specialty expertise often required in demanding mergers and acquisitions. The Ilmarinen-Etera merger was carried out in an extremely complex regulatory landscape. Nokia introduced new developments to the Finnish market by announcing its bid unconditional before securing the 90% ownership threshold for a squeeze-out process, Partner and Head of M&A Jan Örndahl says.
The Mergermarket European Awards winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges from a wide variety of industry backgrounds. The judges analyse Mergermarket deal data and look for evidence that firms added value to deal processes, supported clients and offered creative solutions to complex situations.
–We are thrilled to receive this award and recognition. There has been a remarkable upswing in M&A activity in Western Europe, and our M&A team has had the privilege of working on the most complex deals this year. Currently, we are leading Mergermarket’s comparison tables for Finland in both the volume and the value of deals, Managing Partner Sakari Lukinmaa cheers.
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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