Markus Rahnu

Senior Associate, Member of the Finnish Bar

I advise domestic and international clients on complex mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital transactions, offering strategic guidance with a strong focus on cross-border and local deals across technology (including defence tech and dual-use industries), healthcare, finance, energy, and infrastructure. I also guide growth-stage companies and venture investors through pivotal financing rounds and support investors with Finland`s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations.

Having refined my skills in leading global markets as a visiting lawyer at a top-tier U.S. law firm and having done a secondment to an in-house M&A team, I bring a business-driven and solutions-oriented approach that anticipates market shifts and sector-specific nuances. Whether structuring a cross-border acquisition or advising on a domestic carve-out, I position every transaction for sustained, long-term value.

My background spans roles across top law firms, asset management, and advising early-stage tech startups. This breadth gives me a well-rounded perspective on both the legal and commercial dimensions of M&A and private equity market. I’m fluent in English, Finnish, and Estonian, the latter of which allows me to provide unique regional insight also into the Baltic market and support clients navigating opportunities between Finland and Estonia — bridging connections and enhancing value across these jurisdictions.

Latest references

We acted as Finnish counsel to SuperOffice AS, backed by Axcel, in its acquisition of Lyyti Oy from Finnish private equity firm Vaaka Partners and other sellers. Lyyti is a leading event management software company for physical, digital and hybrid events with a strong customer base in Finland, Sweden and France. SuperOffice is a leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) software for small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Europe. Axcel is a Nordic private equity firm with a focus on technology, business services and industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors.
Case published 9.12.2025
We advised Springvest Oyj in organising a EUR 45 million Series A funding round for ReOrbit, a space technology company and a leading provider of software-first satellites. It’s the largest all-equity Series A round in Finland and one of the most significant deals overall in the European space and defence sector. The purpose of the funding round is to support ReOrbit’s growth. The round consisted of a private placement reserved for professional and institutional investors, which included, e.g. Icebreaker.vc, Expansion VC, 10xFounders, Inventure VC, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, and Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company, and an EUR 8 million public share offering, which was oversubscribed within 4.5 hours. Springvest is a Finland-based investment firm that connects unlisted growth companies with investors. ReOrbit builds sovereign satellites and connected systems for national security.
Case published 9.9.2025
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
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 a counsel to Fortum in a transaction in which Fortum is strengthening its renewable power project pipeline through the acquisition of a project development portfolio from Enersense. The debt-and-cash free purchase price is approximately EUR 9 million, with the potential for project-specific earn-outs subject to projects successfully reaching a final investment decision in the future. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2025. Fortum is a leading Nordic energy company with the purpose to power a world where people, businesses and nature thrive together. Fortum’s core operations comprise of efficient, CO2-free power generation as well as reliable supply of electricity and district heat to private and business customers. The company is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. One of Fortum’s strategic targets is to develop at least 800 MW of ready-to-build onshore wind and solar projects by the end of 2026.
Case published 19.12.2024
We acted as the lead counsel to Fortum in a cross-border transaction in which Fortum sold its recycling and waste business. The business was sold to thematic impact investing firm Summa Equity through its portfolio company NG Group. The debt-free purchase price is approximately EUR 800 million.  Fortum’s recycling and waste business to be sold comprises municipal and industrial waste management and end-to-end plastics, metals, ash, slag and hazardous waste treatment and recycling services. These businesses are located in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway and currently employ approximately 900 employees.
Case published 18.7.2024
We advised the Norwegian Schibsted group in a transaction where Schibsted Nordic Marketplaces purchased 79% of the share capital of AutoVex (Alltvex Oy) from its shareholders. AutoVex is the leading used car C2B auction marketplace in Finland, allowing consumers to conveniently get offers for their used car via a digitally managed auction directed exclusively towards car dealers. The company was founded in 2018 and currently employs around 20 people in Helsinki. Schibsted, listed on Oslo Børs, is a family of digital brands with a strong Nordic position and around 6,000 employees. Schibsted also already has several leading brands in its Motor vertical across the Nordics, including names such as FINN, Nettbil, Carweb and Honk in Norway, Bilbasen and DBA in Denmark and Blocket and Bytbil in Sweden. With the acquisition of AutoVex, Schibsted is building on its expertise and expanding its offering in Finland with a new concept. Further, the acquisition shows Schibsted’s commitment to continue to explore opportunities in the Finnish market and strengthens its marketplace position that is already established through Oikotie and Tori.fi with new verticals.
Case published 22.12.2022
We are acting as the legal advisor to Caverion Corporation in North Holdings 3 Oy’s voluntary public cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares in Caverion. The tender offer values Caverion’s issued and outstanding shares in the aggregate at approximately EUR 955 million. North (BC) Lux Holdco SARL (a vehicle owned and controlled by funds managed or advised by Bain Capital Private Equity (Europe), LLP, and/or its affiliates), Security Trading Oy, Fennogens Investments S.A. and Corbis S.A. have formed a consortium for the purposes of the public tender offer, which indirectly will own North Holdings 3 following the completion of the tender offer. The contemplated tender offer is expected to enable Caverion to undertake an extensive transformation to sustainably improve its long-term performance. The completion of the tender offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the offeror of certain customary conditions on or prior to the offeror’s announcement of the final results of the tender offer. Caverion’s shares are listed on the official list of Nasdaq Helsinki. Caverion is a Northern & Central European-based expert for smart and sustainable built environments, enabling performance and people’s well-being. Caverion offers expert guidance during the entire life cycle of buildings, infrastructure or industrial sites and processes: from design & build to projects, technical and industrial maintenance, facility management as well as advisory services. Caverion’s more than 14,000 professionals serve customers in 10 countries.
Case published 3.11.2022

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