Impact Investing - Castrén & Snellman

Impact Investing

Impact investing is a growing global phenomenon. Interest in new forms of financing is also growing in Finland, where the public sector is struggling with cost pressures.

We are here to help our clients succeed in this new field, which is just taking shape. Our finance, public sector project and corporate form experts design legally insightful operating models that are tailored to the Finnish regulatory environment and harmonised with state aid and public procurement rules.

We speak the same language as the diverse operators in this field which enables us to bring them together. We also actively promote the development of the operating environment through domestic and international organisations, such as the European Social Enterprice Law Association (ESELA).

Latest references

FIM – Establishment of Fund to Promote Child and Youth Welfare

We advised FIM in the establishment of the SIB fund focused on promoting child and youth welfare, including drafting documentation and addressing taxation questions. Social impact bonds (SIBs) are a good example of a new form of investment, which seeks to achieve social goals in addition to financial profit. The SIB fund established in this project is managed by FIM together with the Finnish Central Union for Child Welfare, the participating Finnish municipalities and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. The activities of the fund are guided by representatives of the municipalities, the Central Union for Child Welfare and partner organisations providing child and youth services. The assets of the fund are used to finance projects promoting child and youth welfare. The fund’s profit is tied to the achievement of joint welfare goals, and the cost savings achieved are distributed between the municipalities and the fund’s investors. The fund is intended for professional investors.

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.

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.

NoHo Partners – EUR 50 million secured notes and EUR 97 million senior secured facilities agreement

We advised NoHo Partners Plc on the issuance of EUR 50 million senior secured floating rate notes. The notes have a tenor of four years and mature on 10 September 2030. The notes bear interest at a rate of three-month EURIBOR plus a margin of 4.375 per cent. per annum. The notes were allocated to a mix of domestic and international investors. We also advised NoHo Partners on the negotiation of its new senior facilities agreement. The facilities agreement comprises a EUR 60,000,000 term loan facility, a EUR 10,000,000 capex facility and a EUR 27,000,000 revolving credit facility. “We are delighted by the interest investors have shown in the company’s Notes, which reflects confidence in our strategy. The successful issuance of the Notes, together with the new loan agreement, extends the maturity profile of our financing and enables the company to continue executing its growth strategy going forward. I would like to thank all investors for their participation, as well as our partner bank for the excellent execution of the Notes issuance”, says Jarno Suominen, CEO of NoHo Partners. OP Corporate Bank plc acted as the sole lead manager and bookrunner for the issue of the notes. NoHo Partners Plc is a Finnish group established in 1996, and it specialises in restaurant services being the creative innovator of the Northern European restaurant market. The company was listed in Nasdaq Helsinki in 2013 becoming the first Finnish listed restaurant company, and it has continued to grow strongly throughout its history. NoHo Partners’ vision is to be the leading restaurant operator in Northern Europe.

Latest insights

21.10.2019 – Impact Investing What is ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ investment? EU might have the answer 1.9.2026 – Intellectual Property New marketing and consumer protection requirements call for action

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17.7.2026 – Real Estate Investments & Transactions Special features of real estate transactions in Finland: Formal requirements, permit requirements and pre-emption rights

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