DORDA supported the Finnish ecommerce company Nosto as local Austrian counsel on the acquisition of findologic Gesellschaft m.b.H., one of the world's leading providers of modern software solutions for online shops.

The deal adds a significant number of Shopware merchants to Nosto’s already large Shopware roster, further strengthening its position as it expands to cover new markets and products.

The transaction closed on 15 December 2022 and is yet another example of DORDA's Digital Industries Group demonstrating its expertise and leading role in technology-related transactions involving innovation-driven markets.

DORDA's legal support for the transaction covered all relevant Austrian legal aspects of the transaction, including the performance of the legal due diligence as well as the assistance with the negotiation and finalization of the relevant transaction documents. Bird&Bird Finland acted as lead counsel for Nosto. Financial and tax advice was provided by KPMG. On the seller-side, Schönherr acted as Austrian legal counsel, supported by Roschier as Finnish counsel.

Nosto uses shopper behavioural data to create digital commerce experiences that create customers for life. An AI-Powered Commerce Experience Platform (CXP) designed for ease of use, Nosto empowers brands to build, launch, and optimize compelling digital experiences without the need for dedicated IT resources or a lengthy implementation process.

Findologic was founded in Salzburg, Austria, by Matthias Heimbeck in 2008. It is an ecommerce search leader in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH), empowering product discovery through its AI-powered platform for customers including Carrera Toys, Calumet Photographic, Alpha Industries, ASMC, and Kitlocker.

Christian Ritschka (Partner, M&A): "Once again, the interdisciplinary nature of our Digital Industries Group has proven to be a vital asset for technology focused deals. This transaction also signifies that Austria, Germany, and Switzerland seem to become important e-commerce markets in Europe."

The DORDA team led by Christian Ritschka further included Alexandra Ciarnau and Andreas Seling (IP/IT, Data Protection), Bernhard Müller (Public Law), Bernhard Rieder and Sarah Plasser (Corporate), Florina Thenmayer (Employment), Katrin Antl (Finance), Magdalena Nitsche (Insurance), Julia Sophie Haumer-Mörzinger (Real Estate), Heinrich Kühnert and Mirko Marjanovic (Antitrust) as well as Emina Dedic (M&A), Julia Huber (Employment), Philipp Proske (Real Estate), Paul Traar (Insurance), and Felix Zopf (IP/IT, Data Protection).

The successful mandate was made possible by the interdisciplinary set-up of DORDA's Digital Industries Group, which  is a team of experienced, technology-savvy lawyers in the digital and technology sector and thus the answer to complex, innovation-driven markets and companies for which a deep industry understanding of their strategic partner is vital.

16th December 2022