Cologne, 29 August 2023 – A YPOG team led by Dr. Johannes Janning advised the food tech company Circus on the acquisition of Berlin-based cooking robot startup Aitme. The transaction secures Circus access to cutting-edge technology in kitchen robotics. With the acquisition, Circus also expands its team with highly skilled experts in robotics and integrates the advanced cooking robots into its workflow infrastructure. The robots are expected to operate cost-effectively with minimal personnel and strengthen the level of automation in Circus' micro kitchens. Aitme is funded with a double-digit million amount from big-name investors and has developed a cooking robot to market since its founding in 2019.
Immediately before the acquisition of Aitme, a YPOG team also led by Dr. Johannes Janning advised Circus on a €5.5 million funding round headed by venture capitalists BlackMars Capital and 2bx.
Team
Dr. Johannes Janning (Lead, Transactions), Partner, Köln
Nina Ahlert (Transactions), Senior Associate, Köln
Matthias Kresser (Transaction), Partner, Berlin/Hamburg
Dr. Malte Bergmann (Tax) Partner, Hamburg
Lukas Schmitt (Tax), Associate, Hamburg
Dr. Matthias Schatz (Corporate), Partner, Köln
Jannis Fischer (Corporate), Associate, Köln
Dr. Benedikt Flöter (IP/IT/Data Protection), Associated Partner, Berlin
Dr. Christoph Cordes (IP/IT/Data Protection), Associate, Berlin
About Circus
Circus has created technology-driven micro-kitchen hubs that combine automation and digitalization intelligently. Recipes for Circus' wide culinary selection are developed by Artificial Intelligence - which allows a large number of personalized dishes at low production costs and efficient use of resources. Since its launch in summer 2022, Circus has already rolled out its service in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin and Duisburg, and raised a total of 18 million euros from investors.
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Contact:
Benno Engelmann
T +49 172 2749 689 | E presse@ypog.law
Engelmann Advisory
engelmann-advisory.com
About us
YPOG stands for You + Partners of Gamechangers – forward-thinking legal and tax advice. Supporting companies that are focused on emerging technologies, YPOG embraces change as an opportunity to develop cutting-edge solutions. The YPOG team offers comprehensive expertise in the areas of Funds, Tax, Transactions, Corporate, Banking, Regulatory + Finance, IP/IT/Data Protection, Litigation, and Corporate Crime + Compliance + Investigations. YPOG is one of the leading law firms in Germany for venture capital, private equity, fund structuring, and the implementation of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in financial services. Both the firm and its partners are regularly recognized by renowned national and international publications such as JUVE, Best Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Leaders League, and Legal 500. YPOG is home to more than 150 experienced attorneys, tax advisors and tax specialists as well as a notary, working across offices in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich.
Further information: www.ypog.law/en/ and www.linkedin.com/company/ypog
