Berlin – YPOG advised Berlin-based AI venture studio Merantix (MX AG) on the structuring of its venture funds and the related investment by the world's largest technology investor SoftBank, which is participating through its Vision Fund 2. Seed investments are to be financed from Merantix's established in-house venture fund. At the same time, Merantix and SoftBank Investment Advisers (SIBA) have announced a strategic partnership to promote AI technology in Germany. Both companies are convinced that artificial intelligence will be the most significant technology of our time. Thus, SoftBank has also invested globally in the past and taken a leading role in this field. Merantix was founded in 2016 by Adrian Locher and Rasmus Rothe and sees itself as the world's first AI venture studio. The company addresses the world's most pressing problems by turning cutting-edge AI research into products. It does this through a sophisticated venture-building process. As a result, Merantix has already launched seven AI companies to date, including Cambrium, Kausa, SiaSearch and Vara. Over the next few years, the company says it plans to add up to ten more companies. In April 2021, Merantix opened a 5,200-square-meter AI campus at Berlin's Nordbahnhof, where startups with artificial intelligence-related business models can rent space. In addition, Merantix's own spin-offs are also located there.
YPOG's comprehensive advice covered all tax, regulatory and corporate law issues relating to the fund. In previous years, the Berlin office of the law firm has already regularly advised Merantix, including on the overall structuring, on various investments and also on the structuring of a €25 million fund in 2020.
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Team:
Dr. Fabian Euhus (Lead), Partner
Dr. Helder Schnittker, Partner
Joel El-Qalqili, Associated Partner
Dr. Sebastian Schwarz, Associated Partner
About us
YPOG is a law firm specialized in tax and business law, active in the core fields of Funds, Tax, Banking + Finance, and Transactions. The team at YPOG represents a broad client base, which ranges from emerging technology companies and family-run SMEs to large corporations, as well as private equity, and venture capital funds. YPOG is one of the leading advisors for venture capital, private equity, and fund structuring in Germany. The firm and its partners have been recognized nationally and internationally by JUVE, Best Lawyers, Legal 500, Focus, Chambers and Partners as well as Leaders League. Today, YPOG has more than 150 experienced attorneys, tax advisors and tax specialists and a notary, in four offices, located in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich.
