17.6.2025

Sakari Salonen listed as WTR Global Leader 2025 in Finland

Castrén & Snellman Partner, Head of Intellectual Property Sakari Salonen has been named a Global Leader in World Trademark Review’s WTR Global Leaders 2025. This publication draws on its research projects, the WTR 1000 and the WTR 300, to identify the ‘best of the best’ in trademark practice. 

WTR Global Leaders identified eight IP leaders in Finland, Sakari Salonen being one of them. All WTR Global Leaders merit special attention owing not only to their expertise and experience in relation to creating, protecting, managing and enforcing essential brand rights, but also to their ability to innovate, inspire and go above and beyond to deliver for their clients.

See the list of all Global Leaders (private practice) here.

Latest references

We advised the lead investor Inventure on the seed funding round of Hamina Wireless. Superhero Capital and First Fellow participated in the round as co-investors. Hamina Wireless, founded in 2021, provides tools for fast and simple wireless network design. The platform offered by the company is equipped with tools that aid in the creation of wireless networks, inclusive of Wi-Fi 6E and CBRS. It also includes automation tools for the design of switching, cabling, and IDFs/MDFs. This platform enables design engineers to construct networks that ensure optimal coverage and overlap, minimal interference, maximum capacity, and seamless roaming. Inventure is an early-stage VC investor that that been in venture with over 90 companies ranging from deep tech to consumer internet brands, including Wolt, Swappie, Stravito and Jobbatical. With its EUR 377 million of assets under management, Inventure focuses on Seed and Series A investments across Nordics and Baltics, with offices in Helsinki and Stockholm.
Case published 18.7.2025
We advised Nevel Oy in its acquisition of the business of Labio Oy. Lahti Aqua Oy and Salpakierto Oy sold their entire shareholdings in Labio to Nevel, expanding Nevel’s already significant biogas portfolio. The transaction will have no impact on Lahti Aqua’s water utility operations or Salpakierto’s municipal waste management responsibilities. Labio’s operations and customer relationships will continue as before. ‘This partnership is a natural next step for us as we continue investing in sustainable material efficiency and renewable energy solutions. By integrating Labio’s comprehensive offerings and expertise, we can provide customers with a strong platform for material circularity. We are also strengthening our market position as one of Finland’s leading material efficiency solution providers,’ says Ville Koikkalainen, Director of Industrial and Biogas Business at Nevel. Nevel is an energy infrastructure company offering advanced, climate-positive solutions for industry and real estate. It operates more than 130 energy production plants and manages over 40 district heating networks. Nevel’s annual turnover is EUR 150 million, and it employs 190 experts in Finland, Sweden and Estonia.
Case published 16.7.2025
We advised Nordea Bank Abp in the EUR 150 million new green financing for Lahti Energia Oy to support investments promoting a clean transition and to refinance existing loans. Lahti Energia Oy’s green loan investments focus on solutions that reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions and support sustainable development. Planned projects include electric boilers, district heating storage facilities, and investments in the development of energy networks.
Case published 1.7.2025
We advised Netel Group, a Nasdaq Stockholm-listed contracting company, on the sale of its Finnish operations, Netel Oy, to a group of private investors. The divestment forms part of Netel Group’s strategic realignment. In January 2025, Netel Group announced its decision to exit the Finnish market in order to concentrate on its core markets in Sweden and Norway and growth markets in Germany and the UK. Netel Group is a leading provider of services in the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure within Infraservices, Power and Telecom across Northern Europe. The company has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 2021.
Case published 1.7.2025