Odewald KMU II Acquires GIATA GmbH with the Support of Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek
December, 2018 - Germany
| With a team led by Dr. Pär Johansson from its Cologne office, Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advised investment firm Odewald KMU II on the acquisition of a majority stake in GIATA GmbH. As a leading provider of non-bookable content, GIATA has been supporting its customers from the tourism industry since 1996, continually setting new standards in hotel content processing and distribution. Its modular product range allows GIATA to offer complete solutions tailored to individual customers. GIATA combines innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital fingerprints with meticulous manual research. Customers from more than 70 countries include almost all internationally renowned tour operators and travel agency chains, online travel agencies, global travel distribution systems, and international travel portals. GIATA has thus established itself as the leader in the segments served by the company in the fast-growing global tourism market. To support further growth, the founding shareholders have entered into a partnership with Odewald KMU, Berlin, an investment firm specializing in high-growth medium-sized companies. Odewald KMU has acquired a majority stake in GIATA. The founding shareholders have acquired a significant stake in the company and will be available to the company on a long-term basis. It is the common objective of the shareholders to continue the company’s sustainable expansion with the existing product range in the coming years and to successfully position the product innovations currently being launched on the market. The parties have agreed not to disclose the amount of the investment or its additional details. The Odewald KMU II fund has a volume of EUR 200 million and invests in high-growth medium-sized companies. It focuses on companies in the fields of “German engineering,” intelligent services, and health. Most recently, Odewald KMU II invested in Langer & Laumann Ingenieurbüro GmbH and heizkurier GmbH in January 2018 with the support of Pär Johansson’s team. In addition, Kristina Schneider has just successfully concluded her advice on the first add-on acquisition for heizkurier GmbH. Counsel to Odewald KMU II Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek: Dr. Pär Johansson (Lead), Kristina Schneider, LL.M., Dr. Christoph Schork, LL.M., Tim Remmel, LL.M. (all Private Equity, Corporate/M&A), all Cologne Dr. Sascha Schewiola (Employment), Dr. Verena Hoene, LL.M. (IP), both Cologne Dr. Philip Kempermann, LL.M., Michael Kuska, LL.M., LL.M. (IT) both Düsseldorf |
