Osborne Clarke is among the leading German venture capital practices and offers clients, which include German and international investors, as well as founders and companies comprehensive advice on all areas of VC financing thanks to a cross-practice and cross-locational approach; the team is particularly well versed in later stage-financing rounds and exit strategy-related direct M&A deals. Key member Robin Eyben advises technology and transformation-driven investors, founders and companies. Nicolas Gabrysch heads the team and comprehensively advises venture capital funds and companies in Europe and the US on cross-border growth financing and M&A.

YPOG‘s venture capital and private equity practice, headed by Martin Schaper, is among the leading addresses in German-speaking regions and advises on transactions, fund structuring, co-investments and financing rounds. The team is regularly instructed by large national and international investors, companies, management teams and founders, which are primarily from the fintech, insurtech, proptech, digital health, mobility, software and other regulated industries. Benedikt Flöter covers the interface to IP, IT and data protection, while Benjamin Ullrich is a proven expert for M&A and VC transactions, corporate compliance and corporate law. Adrian Haase is a key contact for growth-oriented companies, especially in the Hamburg area.

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s venture capital team routinely advises founding teams, financial investors, venture capitalists and start-ups on the entire business lifecycle. Due to the integration into the firm’s global network, the team advises on cross-border matters such as internationalisation, buy-and-build strategies and asset-based lending financing; Dietmar Helms is the key contact for the latter. The team is led by Matthias Jaletzke, who is one of the leading German private equity and M&A experts. The group welcomed cross-border transaction specialist Christoph Naumann (formerly at Watson Farley & Williams LLP) in December 2021.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP advises German and international VCs, corporates and start-ups on a wide array of venture capital issues, including financing rounds, add-on acquisitions, exits and IPOs. The close cooperation with US colleagues also benefits clients in international transactions, with Jörg Ritter, who mainly covers matters pertaining to software and life sciences, and practice head Sven Greulich among the key contacts here. The team underwent some recent changes: Christoph Rödter (focus on technology and life sciences) was appointed partner in January 2022 and Damien Simonot (focus on corporate transactions in the tech sector) joined from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in July 2022.

Raue advises investors, companies and start-ups and has particular experience in the sectors media, telecoms, financial services and energy. The team frequently cooperates with the regulatory, corporate, employment and company law teams across practices. Michael Gläsner also covers these interfaces, which, in addition to his experience in private equity and venture capital, also includes expertise in corporate and M&A. Andreas Nelle heads the team and handles corporate law matters in transactions.

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB advises investors and start-ups and is particularly experienced in financing and transaction support, including cross-border issues, where the team frequently cooperates across locations and practices. High-volume financing rounds are regularly accompanied by Marco Eickmann, who is a key member of the team led by Bernhard Noreisch. Noreisch is well versed in advising investors and in supporting exit transactions and M&A projects. In January 2022, VC and M&A expert Jan-Phillip Kunz made partner.

Bird & Bird LLP focuses on technology-related matters and predominantly advises companies, including start-ups, in the context of digital innovations. The team, led by Hans Peter Leube, maintains long-term relationships with its client base, which recently expanded with new additions. Transaction support, including joint ventures, and financing advice are among the core areas as well as early-stage advice and the implementation of due diligence processes.

Integrated into the global network, Greenberg Traurig Germany advises venture capital clients on buy-outs, equity investments, rounds of financing, restructuring and exits, including relevant cross-border issues. The team is well versed in technology-related sectors as well as the renewable energy and automotive segments. Henrik Armah and Peter Schorling advise on all corporate and transformation law matters and jointly head the team. The capacities in private equity and M&A were strengthened with the partner appointments of Oliver Markmann and Philipp Osteroth in January 2022.

GSK Stockmann recently added new clients to its roster, which primarily stem from the technology sector (crypto, fintech, insuretech, proptech), which is not least due to the close cooperation with the office in Luxembourg. In addition to technology, the practice, headed by Katy Ritzmann and Thomas Derlin, also advises clients from the mobility sector, including numerous investors and start-ups. In December 2021, fund and PE expert Marcel Bartnik joined Bonn & Schmitt, whereas tax law specialist Heiko Stoll joined Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

Jones Day 's venture capital team, led by Ansgar Rempp and Ivo Posluschny, offers in-depth expertise in advising investors and start-ups on financing rounds and transactions. The practice, which cooperates closely with locations in various other jurisdictions, recently increased its support for Chinese-related transactions as well as the activity in promising topics such as high-tech, internet, fintech, medtech, the environment and renewable energies.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH acts on behalf of both founders and (increasingly foreign) investors. The full-service advice to start-ups covers all sectors, with a focus on technology. The team acts from several German locations and is headed by Stefan Galla (commercial and corporate law), while Thomas Kuhnle is well versed in transactions and Andreas Tüxen covers venture capital matters. Philipp Glock, who made partner in July 2021, advises funds, family offices and business angels on investment issues.

Integrated into the global network, White & Case LLP specialises in private equity and is also increasingly active in the VC arena. This is reflected in international mandates and instructions from financial institutions, companies and investors. In the fast growth area and the technology sector, practice head Stefan Koch and his team primarily assist with transactions. In January 2022, Sebastian Pitz (financing rounds, especially in the fintech sector) was appointed partner and Marco Stephan (M&A, corporate law) was appointed local partner.

Frankfurt-based Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a popular advisor to US venture capital clients, thanks to its close cooperation with the US offices. Under the leadership of Georg Linde, the team regularly assists with transactions and financing rounds. These competencies were further strengthened with the partner appointments of Michael Ilter (PE, M&A) and Miriam Steets (PE, VC, M&A) in January 2022.