Austria

E+H advised EnerCube GmbH (EnerCube), a Salzburg-based ClimateTech start-up, on a seven-figure financing round and the conclusion of a framework agreement in connection with an extensive partnership with investor Vonovia, one of Germany's leading real estate companies. Laurenz Sutterlüty and David Riedl founded EnerCube in 2023. EnerCube develops innovative heat pump systems for decarbonizing existing heating systems in apartment buildings. These prefabricated heating systems can be installed quickly and easily outdoors. Special hydraulic concepts and innovative heat pumps are used, making EnerCube's products a sensible alternative to fossil fuel heating systems for central hot water supply and heating of existing buildings with radiators. Prefabrication and the product approach also enable serial heating replacement. In addition, a silencer integrated into the cubes reduces noise emissions, and the option of external cube installation also offers a solution for any lack of space in the building. This modular solution therefore enables climate-neutral heat and hot water supply for multi-family buildings and represents an alternative to gas and oil heating, which will help to reduce the share of fossil fuels in the EU. "It has been a great pleasure to accompany one of Austria's most promising start-ups and its highly motivated and talented founders in this investment, and we wish the entire EnerCube team all the best for the future!" said E+H Venture Capital and start-up expert Steve Jeitler, who led the advisory team for EnerCube in the transaction together with Florian Vidreis. Susanna Falkenburg and Adrian Walser also provided advisory support to EnerCube. "No matter what legal discipline was involved, there was no question that could not be answered with an expedient solution within a very short time. The reliable, interdisciplinary, and forward-looking approach exceeded all expectations. Thank you for the intensive and great cooperation!" said the EnerCube founders, who are delighted with the successful completion of the financing round and the partnership with Vonovia. E+H Team (Legal advisor to EnerCube) Lead: Steve Jeitler (Partner, Corporate + M&A, Start-up + VC) and Florian Vidreis (Associate, Corporate + M&A, Start-up + VC) Further: Susanna Falkenburg (Attorney-at-Law, Corporate + M&A) and Adrian Walser (Associate, Employment Law)

CERHA HEMPEL has every reason to celebrate after receiving yet another international accolade. At this year's THE LAWYER Awards, CERHA HEMPEL was named "Law Firm of the Year Austria" 2025 by the renowned British specialist publisher in recognition of its outstanding and innovative achievements. When assessing law firms, The Lawyer recognizes outstanding firms that have excelled based on clearly defined criteria such as strategic development, legal excellence, market position, and innovative capacity. As emphasized by THE LAWYER expert jury, CERHA HEMPEL “was notable for its expansion into Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting its commitment to broadening its international footprint, as well as for pioneering the development of the first large language model tailored to Austrian legal terminology.” "We're extremely pleased to have won this award. Our thanks go to the entire team and above all to our clients. It's only with them that we can enjoy such success", Dr. Albert Birkner, LL.M. and Dr. Clemens Hasenauer, LL.M./MBA, CERHA HEMPEL Managing Partners, explained.

The agreement signed by OMV and ADNOC on 3 March 2025 provides for the strategic combination of Borealis and Borouge under the name Borouge Group International – marking the historic birth of a new global group with headquarters and corporate seat in Vienna and regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Coupled with such merger is the purchase of all shares in the Canadian company NOVA  Chemicals by ADNOC at an enterprise value of USD 13.4 billion, with a later transfer to Borouge Group International. Borouge Group International shall be listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) with an intended dual listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange thereafter. Subject to regulatory approvals (such as merger approvals) and other customary conditions, the combination of Borealis and Borouge and the acquisition of Nova Chemicals are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. The OMV in-house legal team, led by Katja Tautscher (Chief Legal Officer and SVP) and Andreas Aigner (Head of M&A Legal and VP), also included Michael Ebner and Christian Horvath (both M&A Legal). The CERHA HEMPEL team, led by Clemens Hasenauer, Managing Partner and Head of Department Corporate Transactions, provided comprehensive legal advice to OMV on the transaction. Clemens Hasenauer commented: “The transaction is the largest in the firm's history to date and one of the most significant in Austrian business history. It underlines the fact that our dedicated team is also involved in international landmark deals and provides high-quality advice.” In addition to Clemens Hasenauer (partner; corporate and M&A), the CERHA HEMPEL team comprised Johannes Prinz (partner; M&A and Tax), Benjamin Twardosz (Partner; Tax), Lorenz Pracht (Partner; Corporate and M&A), Harald Stingl (Partner; Corporate and M&A), Tobias Tangl (Attorney; Corporate and M&A), Christoph Schimmer (Attorney; Tax), Hannah Gerbl and Alexander Kainz (both Associates; Corporate and M&A).

On 14 October 2025, CERHA HEMPEL staged the "Big Deal". As part of the "Big Deal" workshop, fifteen high potentials simulated an M&A transaction and received valuable practical tips and advice. CERHA HEMPEL invited participants to attend its traditional "Big Deal Networking" event in the evening and to an exciting panel discussion. Together with Dr. Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of OMV AG, CERHA HEMPEL Managing Partner Dr. Clemens Hasenauer, LL.M. discussed career prospects, the secrets of success and their own careers. CERHA HEMPEL is particularly pleased with the success of this exciting format. Each year for the past fifteen years, selected applicants have been given the opportunity to simulate a transaction during the course of a practical workshop and to gain an insight into M&A practice for the first time. This year the focus was on "international joint ventures". For CERHA HEMPEL, the Big Deal has become an important platform for discovering and recruiting talented young lawyers, emphasizes Dr. Hasenauer, Managing Partner and Head of the Corporate Transactions Department: "We're delighted that every year we have the opportunity to meet outstanding young colleagues who are interested in M&A transactions at our Big Deal workshop." A success story over fifteen years in the making: CERHA HEMPEL "Big Deal" Each year, the CERHA HEMPEL "Big Deal" workshop offers undergraduates, graduates and PhD students of law or commercial law the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of an M&A transaction. Those participating in the workshop perform a variety of tasks ranging from structuring the transaction, drafting a confidentiality agreement, drawing up the shareholder or share purchase agreements, performing due diligence, and signing and closing the deal. Using real life M&A model documents, participants work together in groups to develop and present solutions. CERHA HEMPEL offers high potentials the opportunity to put the knowledge they have acquired at university into practice during a workshop.