DLA Piper Chile fields a go-to VC group for entrepreneurs, companies and investors, in relation to financing rounds, corporate ventures, exits, employee stock ownership plans, bridge financings, and business internationalisation processes. ‘Very committed to clients’, the group stands out for its technology sector expertise, while the Santiago office further benefits from the firm’s global platform of over 90 offices worldwide. The 10-strong practice is headed up by ‘outstanding lawyer’ Matías Zegers, a widely-respected VC and entrepreneurship specialist, whose clients range from start-ups and early and later-stage, growth-capital and mid-market businesses, to global companies. The department also features Jorge Timmermann, who (following his 2021 promotion to partner) was appointed as emerging growth and VC regional co-leader for LatAm in 2023. Timmermann regularly advises VC firms and entrepreneurs on investment funds and start-up vehicles, as well as applications for state-driven funding opportunities. Key associate support is provided by Pilar Ay, who is experienced in financing rounds and complex financing instruments; and José Ignacio Marín, a June-2022 hire from Artigas & Cía.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'It has been a great peace of mind for us to be able to work with the DLA Piper team. Raising capital for a Startup is complex and they have accompanied us throughout the process with certainty, agility and always putting our interests as the main driver. They also accompany us with advice based on their previous experience and we have not met another team that has so much knowledge of the Venture Capital market dynamics, its players and the most successful strategies to close deals and manage negotiations properly. Also for our investors, it has given them security to know that our lawyers are DLA Piper.'
'Their expertise in the industry is noticeable, they are the most expert in Chile and that makes a great difference, from Matías Zegers to his team. They have a great knowledge of the market players and the best legal strategies to design a path of successive rounds of capital raising and for exponential growth. The human quality of the team is also very important to us, we feel very accompanied and cared for by them.'
'It is a highly trained and collaborative team. Always updated and with excellent disposition.'
'Matías Zegers and Pilar Ay. They are lawyers who, in addition to being great professionals, are people in whom we trust and whose advice we value.'
'They know the industry and its needs very well and are very available for the needs of their clients. Matías Zegers is the most experienced lawyer in Chile in Venture Capital; associate Jose Ignacio Marin, is a lawyer with a lot of experience in the industry, especially in relation to the administration and investment funds and in regulatory and compliance issues.'
'The uniqueness of it all is the people behind it - people like Matias and his team, very sensitive and caring!'
'It is an office that is very committed to the client, always seeking to satisfy their needs regardless of whether the requirement is exactly what was initially raised. They are responsible professionals, experts in their subjects and with a good disposition.'
'Matías Zegers is an outstanding lawyer, both in his knowledge and in dealing with his clients. José Ignacio Marín is also, his availability is truly incredible and his resolution capacity is also incredible.'

Key clients

Fen Ventures
The Live Green Co
Talana
Karvi
Colegium
Vestuá
Destácame
Caja Los Andes
Wareclouds
Wheel the world
SQM
Instacrops
Betterplan

Work highlights

Acted for local VC firm, Administradora Fen Capital, on its investment in Chilean technology companies.
Advised The Live Green Co on the structuring, negotiation and execution of the acquisition of four Chilean food industry companies.
Advised Karvi, a web platform that facilitates the purchase of certified used cars, on its series-B round for $50m.

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