Valentin Golovanov

Partner, Member of the Finnish Bar

Services

  1. Private M&A
  2. Private Equity

Contact details

I specialise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and transactional corporate advisory matters. I have extensive experience in advising both Finnish and international industrial companies, as well as private equity sponsors, and I excel in handling complex, large-scale domestic and cross-border transactions, including industrial carve-outs, strategic investments, and buyouts.

During my career, I have been involved in several landmark transactions, and I have acquired in-depth experience and knowledge across various industry sectors and particularly in forestry, telecommunications, technology, and infrastructure sectors.

Prior to joining Castrén & Snellman, I worked for over 12 years at other leading law firms in the Nordics, where I built a robust skillset for transactional work focused on client-centricity and first-class project management.

My previous experience includes advising:

• Corten Capital in its acquisition of Roima Intelligence from Intera and other shareholders

• Aava Terveyspalvelut in the sale of Docrates Cancer Center to Mehiläinen

• Klett Lernen und Information in its acquisition of Studeo

• Axcel in the sale of the Aidian to Nordstjernan

• Telia in the sale of part of its towers business in Finland, Norway and Sweden to Brookfield

• Wolt in the sale of the company to DoorDash

• First Sentier Investors in the sale its interest in Caruna to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and KKR

• Neles in connection with Alfa Laval’s public cash tender offer

• Posti in the sale of OpusCapita to Providence Equity Partners

• Investor consortium led by ANTA in the public takeover of Amer Sports

• First Sentier Investors in the sale of Digita to Digital Colony

• CapMan Buyout in the sale of Walki to One Equity Partners and

• Microsoft in its acquisition of Nokia’s Devices and Services business.

Latest references

G&W Electric – Acquisition of Safegrid
We advised G&W Electric with its acquisition of Safegrid Oy, a leading provider of intelligent grid monitoring solutions based in Finland. The acquisition accelerates G&W Electric’s long-term strategy to integrate intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics into its power distribution portfolio, strengthening its offering to utility customers worldwide. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, G&W Electric is a global leader in innovative power grid solutions, with a presence in over 100 countries. The company is known for advanced load and fault interrupting switches, reclosers, sensors, system protection equipment, power grid automation, intelligent grid monitoring, and transmission and distribution cable accessories. Safegrid is a Finnish technology company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The company develops the Intelligent Grid System®, a grid monitoring solution that combines instant-on wireless sensors with advanced analytics to deliver real-time insight into grid conditions, enabling utilities to identify emerging issues, anticipate failures, and reduce outage duration across medium and high voltage distribution and transmission networks.
Case published 8.5.2026
Kiwa – Acquisition of Sertio
We advised Kiwa in its acquisition of Sertio Oy, a Finnish notified body designated by the authority in accordance with the EU Regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR). Sertio provides conformity assessment services in accordance with IVDR. Kiwa is one of the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification companies, operating in over 35 countries. 
Case published 7.5.2026
Jensen-Group – Acquisition of Vestek
We advised Jensen-Group with its acquisition of Oy Vestek Ab, the long-standing distributor of Jensen solutions in Finland. The strategic step underlines Jensen-Group’s long-term commitment to the Nordic region and its ambition to further expand sustainable and future-oriented laundry automation solutions in Finland. Jensen-Group, listed on Euronext Brussels, is a global leader in heavy‑duty laundry technology, known for designing and manufacturing industrial laundry machines, systems, and turnkey automation solutions. Oy Vestek Ab is a Finnish import company founded in 1961. The company’s main activity is to import supplies and machinery, including providing products and services for the health care and laundry industries, from Europe and the USA and to act as a wholesale dealer on the Finnish market.
Case published 16.3.2026
ParkMan – Investment by Hawk Infinity and Armada Credit Partners
We advised the shareholders of ParkMan Oy in the arrangement whereby Norwegian investment company Hawk Infinity and Armada Credit Partners invested in ParkMan enabling ParkMan’s accelerated growth. ParkMan is a parking solutions and management software company that provides a digital parking application for consumers and businesses operating in Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, and Estonia. ParkMan is based in Helsinki, Finland. Hawk Infinity, based in Oslo, Norway, is one of the largest and fastest growing Nordic software compounders with a long-term, growth-oriented investment approach. Hawk Infinity focuses on investing in founder-led companies and scaling them through add-on acquisitions and organic growth, while preserving existing management and culture. Since its establishment in 2008, Hawk Infinity has grown into a multi-vertical SaaS group by acquiring and scaling niche software businesses across Europe.
Case published 27.8.2025
Oomi Solar – Sale of a Solar Power Plant and Battery Energy Storage Project
We advised Oomi Solar Oy on the sale of a solar power park and battery energy storage project to Tuulipolar Oy. The transaction concerned a 24 MWp solar power plant and a 36 MW / 70 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to be constructed in Tornio. Tuulipolar Oy will act as the owner and operator of the plant, while Oomi Solar Oy will be responsible for its design and construction. The project will form the world’s northernmost industrial hybrid power plant, contributing to Finland’s green energy transition by increasing renewable energy production and electricity storage capacity in Northern Finland. The hybrid solution enables optimization of production as well as active participation in electricity markets and reserve services, improving the project’s profitability and supporting the balance of the electricity system year-round. Electricity production from the hybrid plant is expected to begin in 2028. Oomi Solar Oy is a Finnish renewable energy expert with experience from nearly 200 MW of installed solar capacity. The company helps businesses and communities accelerate the green transition by offering comprehensive solutions, including solar power plants, energy storage systems, and related lifecycle services from project development to maintenance. Oomi Solar Oy employs more than 20 energy professionals and delivers solar power projects across Finland. The company’s vision is to be Finland’s most desired partner for solar energy and energy solutions.
Case published 5.6.2026
United Bankers – Sale of three care properties
United Bankers – Sale of three care properties
We advised United Bankers on the sale of three care properties to Kinland AS. The buildings were completed between 2021 and 2022 and meet high technical and environmental standards. All three properties are fully leased. The portfolio has a weighted average unexpired lease term of 13 years.
Case published 1.6.2026
Hiab acquisition financing
Hiab – Financing for USD 1,035 million acquisition of Labrie Environmental Group
We are advising Hiab Corporation in the financing for its USD 1,035 million acquisition of Labrie Environmental Group, a leading North American refuse collection vehicle (“RCV”) manufacturer, from Wynnchurch Capital, L.P. Hiab Corporation (Nasdaq Helsinki: HIAB) is a leading provider of smart and sustainable on-road load handling solutions, with 2025 sales of approximately EUR 1.6 billion and approximately 4,000 employees, operating through a global network spanning over 100 countries. Labrie Group is a leading North American provider of RCVs, employing approximately 1,200 people. 
Case published 1.6.2026
Lenders to ICEYE – EUR 300 million revolving credit facility for ICEYE
We advised an international bank syndicate in a EUR 300 million revolving credit facility (RCF) for ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. The bank-syndicate comprised Nordic and global banks, with Citi and Danske Bank acting as Joint Global Coordinators and Mandated Lead Arrangers. The RCF will support the issuance of guarantees for customer contracts, enable continued business growth, and serve as a liquidity backstop. 
Case published 21.5.2026

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