Our Corporate Finance team helps Republic to create first global private investment platform
Rob Dando December 3rd 2021
The U.S. based private investment platform, Republic has agreed a deal of approximately £75 million to acquire Seedrs, Europe’s leading online private investment platform.
Launched in 2012 the online platform allows investors to buy and sell shares in private companies and is a portal for entrepreneurs to gain investment for their businesses. Seedrs has funded more than 1,400 deals, with nearly £1.5 billion invested on the platform to date.
On completion of the acquisition the deal will create the first global private investment marketplace across North America and Europe.
The MHA Corporate Finance team led by Corporate Finance Partner and Transaction Services Leader, Rob Dando and a multidisciplinary team of experts from across MHA MacIntyre Hudson including Corporate Tax Partner, Chris Denning provided both financial and tax due diligence services as well as sale and purchase agreement advice, to help Republic facilitate a streamlined acquisition of Seedrs.
Rob Dando commented on the deal;
“It was a real pleasure to work with the Republic team and assist in this transformational transaction. We have worked on many cross border transactions in the past 12 months and this transaction continues the trend of investment into the UK. We wish the Republic/Seedrs team every success for the future.”
Chris Denning added;
”This is obviously an exciting time for the Republic team and congratulations to them on concluding a successful acquisition. Our US colleagues at Baker Tilly US continue to work with Republic in helping shape their international structure which will no doubt require our further input from a UK perspective which we look forward to providing.”
Once the deal has been finalised, Republic have plans to use the acquisition as a springboard into a rapid expansion across Europe with further investment to be undertaken to deliver new products and applications to enhance their offering to investors and private businesses.
The transaction is currently subject to approval by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Seedrs shareholders with the acquisition expected to be completed in early 2022.
