Leveraging the firm’s wider international network, the venture capital group at Bird & Bird is a solid choice for investors and start-ups seeking advice on complex, multijurisdictional transactions. The team has considerable experience handling high-value financing rounds, both early- and late-stage, venture debt deals, and disposals, as well as VC-backed M&A, corporate venture capital, and exits. Lourdes Ayala co-leads the practice alongside José Luis Lorente and Alberto Rodríguez and specialises in funding rounds and investments, with a particular focus on the life sciences, technology, and food and beverage sectors. Lorente is noted for his expertise in venture debt financing and regulatory compliance, while Rodríguez is the main point of contact for corporate venture capital deals. Antonio Ballesteros is another key practitioner.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Very knowledgeable about the market and highly dedicated to deals.’
- ‘Their extensive knowledge of the VC sector differentiates the team.’
- ‘They're incredibly sales-oriented and approachable.’
- ‘The team formed by Lourdes Ayala and Antonio Ballesteros is extremely professional and complementary.’
- ‘Antonio Ballesteros is a very intelligent and discreet person. He doesn't miss a detail and has creative proposals to channel the client's wishes and move the negotiation forward.’
- ‘Lourdes Ayala has a very energetic and decisive character; she is very quick in negotiations and has a clear understanding of red lines and negotiation strategies.’
Key clients
- P101
- Taurus Capital, S.L.
- Bike Ocasión, S.L.
- Life5 Group, S.L.
- Kreos Capital Vii
- Massmutual Ventures
- Tax Down, S.L.
- Cubiq Foods, S.L.
- Darwin Biosprospecting Excellence, S.L.
- Samsung Venture Investment Corporation
- Walter Ventures, S.L.
- Zorro Eats, S.L.
Work highlights
Advised MassMutual Ventures on an equity investment round in the Spanish company Hydrogen Onsite, S.L.
Advised Walter Ventures, S.L. on its investment in Nearby Computing, S.L.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Lourdes Ayala; José Luis Lorente; Alberto Rodríguez
Other key lawyers
Antonio Ballesteros; Isabel Rodríguez