Austria

E+H has advised Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the world’s largest US venture capital funds, on a USD 5.5 million seed financing round for Taceo GmbH (Taceo). a16z’s Crypto Startup Accelerator (CSX) already invested in Taceo last year and included the company in its blockchain accelerator program in New York. By providing another investment through CSX, a16z reinforced its trust in the start-up and its founder team. Taceo is a Graz-based start-up that has developed the “Private Shared State” data model – a technology enabling cross-organizational processing of sensitive data without revealing its contents. “Private Shared State” combines two key elements: Multi-Party Computation (MPC), which protects data during processing, and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZK), which allow the verification of outcomes without disclosing the underlying data. This enables data to remain encrypted at the recipient's end while still allowing algorithms to be applied to it. The financing round was led by lead investor Archetype. In addition to CSX, the company also secured investments from Cyber.Fund, A.Capital Ventures, Polymorphic, and several business angels. The funds will be used to support Taceo’s expansion into additional fields, with a particular focus on AI applications. “We are pleased to have advised the renowned VC fund a16z on another investment into the promising start-up Taceo and wish the entire Taceo team all the best for their planned expansion”, said E+H venture capital and start-up expert Steve Jeitler, who led the transaction together with Florian Vidreis. Taceo was legally advised by Schoenherr Attorneys at Law, Archetype was advised by Cooley LLP and LARK. E+H Team (advisor to a16z) Dr. Steve Jeitler, LL.M. (Berkeley) (Partner, Corporate + M&A, Start-up + VC), Florian Vidreis, LL.M. (WU) BSc (Associate, Corporate + M&A, Start-up + VC) _________________________________________________________________________________ E+H is an international commercial law firm with offices in Vienna, Graz and Brussels that takes legal advice to the next level. The firm regularly receives awards and top spots in international rankings and directories, such as Chambers & Partners Global & Europe, Legal 500, JUVE, and Mergermarket. www.eh.at Contact E+H Dr. Steve Jeitler, LL.M. (Berkeley) E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH Frauengasse, 5, A-8010 Graz T: +43 316 36 47 E: [email protected]

Schoenherr is delighted to announce the upcoming expansion of its banking & finance practice with the arrival of two highly regarded English law finance experts specialising in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) – Attila K Csongrady and Peter Redo – who will be joining the firm in Vienna as partner and counsel, respectively, on 1 September 2025. Attila and Peter form one of the best-known and most respected English law debt finance teams in the CEE market. With 12 years of training in the London market between them and over 30 years of combined on-the-ground experience in the region, they bring a rare and highly credible mix of English law pedigree and deep regional insight – distinctive assets in the CEE legal landscape. Since committing their careers to the region, they have played a leading role in shaping the CEE cross-border finance market and are widely recognised for delivering landmark results on many of its most complex transactions. They work across product areas for lenders, private credit providers, sponsors and corporate borrowers, with particular emphasis on acquisition finance, project finance, real estate finance, structured finance and debt restructurings. Their cross-sector practice has deepened in recent years around energy and infrastructure, especially in emerging areas like battery energy storage systems (BESS), batteries for EVs (BEV), renewable energy and energy transition infrastructure, where they’ve already helped shape major mandates across the region. This strategic move unlocks powerful synergies: Attila and Peter's proven English law expertise and CEE focus will be significantly enhanced by Schoenherr's unmatched CEE platform, combining local presence in 14 jurisdictions with deep sectoral strength and top-tier execution capability. The result is a regionally embedded English law offering, tailor-made for today's high-stakes finance landscape. This strategic addition marks a further step in Schoenherr's long-term commitment to delivering best-in-class legal advice for cross-border finance matters across CEE. "Attila and Peter's arrival adds a distinct and highly sought-after English law capability to our CEE banking practice that will enhance our ability to support clients operating in and into the region – working closely alongside our established international network and valued referral partners," said Matei Florea, partner and head of Schoenherr's banking, finance & capital markets group. "Their arrival underscores Schoenherr's position as the go-to firm for complex, cross-border finance work in the CEE region," he added. Further details about this expansion will be shared in September 2025, upon their official commencement at Schoenherr.

E+H is pleased to announce that Hannah Kercz (34) has joined the firm as attorney-at-law. In her new role, she will support the IP/IT practice group. Hannah Kercz studied law at the University of Vienna and has specialised in all areas of IT law, including e-commerce and data protection law, in her previous work as a lawyer. A particular focus of her work is on all issues relating to artificial intelligence. She is the author of specialist publications and regularly shares her knowledge as a speaker at seminars and training events. "I am really looking forward to getting started at E+H! I find working with such a professional team and the opportunity to support clients with really crucial legal issues particularly exciting," says Hannah Kercz about joining the firm. Andreas Zellhofer, head of the IP/IT practice group, adds: "Hannah is a great addition to our growing team. She not only impresses with her professional expertise, but also with her passion for tackling even the most demanding challenges in a creative and solution-oriented manner." _________________________________________________________________ E+H is an international commercial law firm with offices in Vienna, Graz and Brussels that takes legal advice to the next level. The firm regularly receives awards and top spots in international rankings and directories, such as Chambers & Partners Global & Europe, Legal 500, JUVE, and Mergermarket. www.eh.at/en Inquiries & Contact Radostina Reiter Head of Marketing & Communication E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH +43 676 8364 359 | [email protected]

As part of a succession plan, Munich-based VTC is acquiring all shares in NBG Holding GmbH. The NBG Group is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality fiber in metal tubes ("FiMTs"). E+H advised VTC on the legal aspects of this transaction. The E+H team was led by partners Josef Schmidt and Philipp Schrader. For over 25 years, the NBG Group in Gmünd, Austria, has been developing and producing highly specialized FiMTs, which are used worldwide in demanding applications, and special cables for energy infrastructure, telecommunications, and in-well and downhole services. As part of the partnership with VTC, the NBG Group will further expand its international presence, develop new areas of application, and invest in additional production capacity. Together with the existing management team, VTC intends to continue the profitable growth of recent years and further strengthen its market leadership in key segments. The transaction is expected to close in July 2025. Advisors VTC: E+H: Josef Schmidt and Philipp Schrader (lead partners, corporate + M&A), Jana Eichmeyer (partner, employment law/conflict resolution), Judith Feldner (partner, antitrust law), Helmut Liebel (partner, IP/IT), Georg Knafl (partner, public law), Hannah Kercz (permanent substitute/lawyer, IP/IT), Karin Köller (permanent substitute/lawyer, employment law), Yvonne Wohlmuth (associate, corporate + M&A), Lorenz Bogensberger (associate, employment law), Vessela Anastassova (associate, public law), Yvonne Handler (associate, antitrust law) Aigner Buzanich (Tax): Herbert Buzanich and Hans-Jörgen Aigner Alvarez & Marsal: Sébastien Catteau and Ilya Zvyaginstev NBG Bauer GmbH: HASCH und PARTNER Attorneys at Law: Franz Guggenberger and Alexander Milla Dealbridge M&A Advisors: Michael Stift and Simon Fabsits NBG Group: bpv Hügel (Bernhard Schatz and Thomas Capek) Restructuring trustee for the syndicate of financing banks: DKFE Attorneys at Law: Philipp Freimann and Philipp Dumfahrt SISCON Unternehmensberatung GmbH & Co KG: Wolfgang Fuchs _____________________________________________________________________ E+H is an international commercial law firm with offices in Vienna, Graz and Brussels that takes legal advice to the next level. The firm regularly receives awards and top spots in international rankings and directories, such as Chambers & Partners Global & Europe, Legal 500, JUVE, and Mergermarket. www.eh.at   Questions & Contact Radostina Reiter Head of Marketing & Communication E+H Rechtsanwälte GmbH +43 676 8364 359 | [email protected]