Cresco Advocaten > Antwerp, Belgium > Firm Profile
Cresco Advocaten Offices
LANGE KIEVITSTRAAT 118-120
2018 ANTWERP
Belgium
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Cresco Advocaten > The Legal 500 Rankings
Belgium > Industry focus: IT and telecoms Tier 3
A popular contact for medtech and digital health clients, Cresco Advocaten‘s Antwerp-based practice is well placed to handle technology transactions, digitialisation mandates and work that lies on the nexus between information technology and intellectual property such as the monetisation of intellectual assets and dispute resolution. Olivier Van Raemdonck, who is described as ‘strong in negotiations’, leads the team alongside strategic transaction specialist David Dessers. Glenn L’hoëst adds to the technology transactions expertise at the firm with funding rounds and M&A areas of strength.Practice head(s):
David Dessers; Olivier Van Raemdonck
Other key lawyers:
Glenn L’hoëst; Ward Verwaeren
Testimonials
‘Quick response to questions, professional cooperation, transparent and concrete feedback to help you get started with your project.’
‘Olivier Van Raemdonck is strong in negotiations, added value in external conversations, a lot of knowledge.’
‘The team takes time to explain thoroughly the implications of certain phrases or wording. It is also a diverse crew and I have always felt safe to raise my points of concerns.’
‘We worked together with two partners, David Dessers and Olivier Van Raemdonck, and both were always very respectful and kind. They never gave us the feeling that we were asking stupid questions. They were available to call when doubt creeped in.’
‘Our experience with Cresco has been entirely positive. They have adeptly guided us through our legal requirements, offering invaluable insights. As a software company, we’ve greatly benefited from their expertise in intellectual property and associated matters.’
‘The team, headed by David Dessers, consistently responds promptly to our inquiries and offers insightful feedback and solutions to our legal concerns.’
‘Insights by David Dessers are exceptional!’’
‘Ward Verwaeren is a very pragmatic lawyer, who’s able to advise as if he was an in-house counsel.’
Key clients
KBC Group
Visualfabriq
Credix
Otra Solutions
Niets Distillery
Zerocopy
Vlerick Business School
Effex
Otiv
Spacewell
Septentrio
Arspectra
Wellbeing.ai
Techwolf
Zeopore
Cumul.io
Bothrs
Orsi
Ufo Drive
Mensura
Christelijke Mutualiteit
Pulsify
Hex-Rays
Timefold
Match Group
Work highlights
- Advised Spacewell as outsourced legal counsel for the structuring, drafting and negotiation of ICT contracts on a worldwide basis.
- Advised KULeuven spin-off called “EFFEX” on tech transfer matters and subsequent funding issues.
- Advised Match Group as preferred Belgian counsel for the provision of strategic legal support with respect to IT and telecoms matters.
Belgium > Private equity Tier 3
Cresco Advocaten fields a team of ‘real specialists in VC and startup fundraising‘, serving a rapidly growing client base of funds and growth companies active especially in the tech sector. The team regularly provides guidance to funds in connection with their buy-and-build acquisitions and is additionally well-versed in fund formation matters, while also handling all aspects of VC-backed investment for its corporate clients. In addition to its activity in the venture capital space, the team advises an increasing number of established private equity funds on cross-border acquisitions. Practice head David Dessers is a key contact for strategic and fund-backed transactions, while Glenn L’hoëst is noted for his expertise in fund formation and VC investment matters.Practice head(s):
David Dessers
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely flexible and adapts to the situation. We have been able to rely on them in unique situations where quick decision-making was needed. ’
‘Glenn L’hoëst is an amazing lawyer. He has deep market knowledge, relevant experience, and good negotiation and communication skills.’
‘Extremely responsive, on-the-ball team with good pro-activity; committed to assisting throughout the process and afterwards; pragmatic and valuable legal advice; to the point; outstanding associates; strong team players.’
‘The team is extremely easy to reach, very hardworking and what I prefer above all, deal makers. They look at problems pragmatically!’
‘They know their topics and are real specialists in VC and startup fundraising.’
‘Efficient working team, pragmatic approach, hands-on, very knowledgeable, real team effort combining different individuals with different expertise on one topic, thinking along, structured.’
‘ They communicate very well, are transparent, structured, to the point and on time. Always a pleasure to work with David Dessers and Glenn L’hoest. ’
Key clients
Air Liquide Venture Capital
Airbus Ventures
Angelwise
Birdhouse Ventures
Credix
Dovesco
Hummingbird Ventures
Hymont Capital
Innovation Industries
KBC Focus Fund
KBC Group
M80 Capital
Main Capital
Ninepointfive Ventures
Novalis Ventures
PMV
Partech Ventures
Pitchdrive Fund II
SmartFin Capital – SmartFin Ventures
Techwolf
Volta Ventures
Welvaartsfonds
Yield Lab
imec.xpand II
Work highlights
- Acted for imec.xpand on its €250m fund formation.
- Advised M80 Capital and its portfolio company Yuma on a buy-and-build strategy in Belgium and abroad.
- Advised Smartfin Capital on its fund formation and investments.
Belgium > Dispute resolution Tier 4
Cresco Advocaten acts in intricate domestic and international disputes, with expertise in litigation regarding sale and purchase agreements, tech contracts, shareholder issues, and the dissolution of companies. The firm also has a focus on matters linked to the tech, real estate, hospitality, non-profit, and banking sectors. Antwerp-based Steven Daems leads the practice, bringing vast experience in insolvency and restructuring mandates to the team, while Natalie Lemense focuses on contentious commercial contract and private shareholder work.Practice head(s):
Steven Daems
Other key lawyers:
Natalie Lemense; Amber Sampana
Testimonials
‘Steven Daems: good collaboration, result driven. Amber Sampana: punctual, result driven, capacity to keep overview of complex realities.’
‘Steven Daems: I really appreciate the highly professional approach.’
‘I really like the Cresco approach with a real ‘can do’ mindset. The expertise and the way the team makes you feel comfortable was very relieving.’
Key clients
ROXELL
CHG-Meridian Belux
BNP Paribas Fortis
SPACEWELL – MCS
KEMIN EUROPA
Eurobrillance
Work highlights
- Acting for a major Belgian company in post-acquisition and commercial dispute matters against a global company.
- Assisting a director with disputing their liability in major Belgian bankruptcy proceedings.
- Successfully acted for the shareholders of a major Belgian company in a shareholder dispute.
Belgium > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5
An established presence among clients in the TMT sector, Cresco Advocaten focuses on handling transactions for start-ups and scale-ups as well as private equity and venture capital funds. The team is active across buy- and sell-side M&A and offers particular strengths in advising on buy-and-build strategies, joint ventures, and fundraising matters. Practice head David Dessers is well-regarded for advising on tech investments and transactions, while Olivier Van Raemdonck and and Glenn L’hoëst are key contacts for private equity and venture capital work.Practice head(s):
David Dessers
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Cresco’s multidisciplinary team complemented has specific expertise on corporate venturing. This makes them the best one-stop solution for our cases.’
‘Cresco has an exceptional team. It all starts with the founder, David Dessers, who is visionary in how to practice commercial, corporate and M&A law. ’
‘Glenn L’Hoëst is a great lawyer who work on cases like it is his own company to defend. His market knowledge is exceptional and accurate, he follows all the latest news in the tech and M&A sector.’
‘David Dessers is a visionary man who is an example in the Belgian law scene for commercial, corporate and M&A practice. His visionelevates each member of the team. ’
‘David Dessers and Glenn L’hoest have expert knowledge of corporate venturing. ’
‘Extremely responsive, on-the-ball team with good pro-activity; committed to assist throughout the process and afterwards; pragmatic and valuable legal advice.’
‘ The team has strong commitment and availability. It goes the extra mile and is proactive.’
Key clients
9.5 Ventures
Airbus Ventures
Angelwise
BISC Global
Castelmore
Credix
Dovesco
Innovation Industries Fund
KBC Focus Fund
KBC Group
Limburgse Reconversie Maatschappij
M80 Partners
Main Capital
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Belgium Luxembourg
Pitchdrive Fund II
Projective
Rein4ced
Resengo
Robovision
SmartFin Capital
Sweepatic
TechWolf
UFO Drive
Xange Ventures
imec.xpand II
Work highlights
- Advised M80 Capital and its portfolio company Yuma on a buy-and-build strategy in Belgium and abroad.
- Advised Qover on its €30m venture capital financing by Zurich Insurance.
- Advised TheSignallingCompany and its shareholder Lineas on a strategic sale to Skoda.
Cresco Advocaten > Firm Profile
The firm: Cresco is a premier business law firm focused on providing business law advice and counsel to entrepreneurs, emerging, growth and established companies and various types of investors, including private equity investors, venture capitalists and strategic corporate investors.
The firm combines international legal know-how with business expertise acquired through extensive in-house experience at leading companies active in a broad range of sectors and industries.
Main areas of practice
Mergers and acquisitions: Cresco’s M&A practice covers i.a. information technology, clean tech, life sciences, hospitality, real estate and infrastructure.
- Materialise (Nasdaq listed) in RS Scan acquisition
- Newtec and its shareholders in Singapore Technologies acquisition
- Borit and its shareholders in Weifu acquisition
- Dovesco in Netflow and Accel acquisitions
- Core Equity Holdings in dental buy-and-build acquisitions
Key clients: Dovesco, SmartFin, imec, Gimv, Materialise, PMV, Fortino
Venture capital and private equity: Cresco has market-leading capabilities in private equity and venture capital matters including fund formation, capital raisings, (regulatory) compliance, and investments and divestments of portfolio companies.
- Formation and fundraising of various funds (SmartFin funds, Novalis funds, imec.xpand)
- Represented funds in various investments in Belgium, The Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, Indian and Middle East
Key clients: imec, Qbic, Volta, SmartFin, Novalis, Fortino, PMV, Gimv, Qbic Ventures, Droia, btov
Emerging and growth companies practice: Cresco represents entrepreneurs, start-ups, emerging and growth companies, in the realisation of their plans and ideas, fundraisings and organising their day-to-day business.
- Skipr and Lab Box in strategic Belfius investment and commercial collaboration
- Pharrowtech, Micledi and Pulsify, imec spin-offs, in their Series A investment rounds
- Droia, Polaris, Alsa and Pfizer in Montis venture capital investment
Key clients: Lab Box (D’Ieteren), InvestSuite, Manual.to, Qover, Micledi, Pulsify, Pharrowtech, Zeopore
IP/IT and innovation: Cresco structures brand protection, corporate partnering and strategic alliance transactions, ecosystem design, R&D deals and co-ownership agreements, group IP structuring and licensing arrangements, outsourcing arrangements, and OEM agreements.
- Co.station in the design, structuring and implementation of various sector-specific ecosystems
- Numerous start-ups and scale-ups in their commercial collaborations with research institutions and corporates
- Various investment funds with the analysis of the IP portfolios of target companies
Key clients: Elia, imec, Spacewell, Flemish government, Board of Innovation, Circular Systems, Skipr, Co.station
Dispute resolution: Cresco advises and represents entrepreneurs and large corporates in a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes. Risk management and efficient dispute resolution in litigation or arbitration are key to the practice.
- Former) shareholders and directors on post- acquisition claims
- Software developers or their clients on licensing agreements and OEM agreements
- Directors and shareholders on all matters of corporate litigation, and regarding companies in distress
- Manufacturers and distributors on commercial disputes (agency, franchise, distribution, etc.)
- Real estate owners on all matters of (commercial) lease, sale and purchase, etc.
- Financial service providers and (technology) lease companies on matters relating to debt recovery and property management
- Bio- and life science companies on matters relating to risk assessment and IP-conflict management
Real estate: Cresco delivers innovative, creative and practical legal services for the full spectrum of real estate needs.
- Eoluz in drafting and negotiation of complex framework agreement for engineering, procurement and construction of PV plants
- Flemish Government in negotiations and litigation against a public housing company
- Belgian Government in negotiations regarding a series of lease agreements
- Skilpod, an industry specialist in movable living and living working spaces in a financial and real estate transaction with several outside investors
- BRIXadvice, a specialist in logistics and security solutions within production and distribution, regarding the implementation of an online platform for warehouses
Key clients: Belgian and Flemish government, Percassi,, Eoluz, Comics Station Antwerp, MUCC, WannaWork, March, Skilpod, BRIXadvice
Complex commercial agreements: By combining industry knowledge, technology acumen and strategic business expertise, Cresco assists entrepreneurs, start-ups, emerging and growth companies, on complex commercial agreements and their day-to-day business.
- Percassi (world leader in retail development and major real estate projects) with the drafting and negotiation of complex retail agreements in city centres, shopping centres and railway stations in the Benelux
- Septentrio with the structuring, negotiation and drafting of its standard terms in various commercial relationships
- Spacewell with the structuring, negotiation and drafting of its standard terms in various commercial relationships
Key clients: Percassi, Eoluz, Spacewell, Septentrio, Mensura, Board of Innovation
Corporate venturing: Cresco regularly represent emerging companies or corporates in structuring their non-equity and equity based corporate venturing transactions.
- Co.station in the design, structuring and implementation of various sector-specific ecosystems
- Corporates in the design, structuring and implementation of corporate partnering strategies
- Numerous start-ups and scale-ups in their commercial collaborations with research institutions and corporates
Key clients: KBC Group, Elia, Lineas, Orsi, 9.5 Magnitude Ventures, imec.xpand
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
General corporate and securities matters | David Dessers | david.dessers@crescolaw.com | |
General corporate and securities matters | Olivier Van Raemdonck | olivier.vanraemdonck@crescolaw.com | |
Mergers and acquisitions | Olivier Van Raemdonck | olivier.vanraemdonck@crescolaw.com | |
Mergers and acquisitions | David Dessers | david.dessers@crescolaw.com | |
Venture capital and private equity | Olivier Van Raemdonck | olivier.vanraemdonck@crescolaw.com | |
Venture capital and private equity | David Dessers | david.dessers@crescolaw.com | |
Emerging and growth companies | Olivier Van Raemdonck | olivier.vanraemdonck@crescolaw.com | |
Emerging and growth companies | David Dessers | david.dessers@crescolaw.com | |
Intellectual property and innovation counselling | Olivier Van Raemdonck | olivier.vanraemdonck@crescolaw.com | |
Intellectual property and innovation counselling | David Dessers | david.dessers@crescolaw.com | |
Corporate partnering and venturing | Olivier Van Raemdonck | olivier.vanraemdonck@crescolaw.com | |
Corporate partnering and venturing | David Dessers | david.dessers@crescolaw.com | |
Dispute resolution | Steven Daems | steven.daems@crescolaw.com | |
Dispute resolution | Natalie Lemense | natalie.lemense@crescolaw.com |