For its Series A, PowerZ, start-up developing an educational video game, raised EUR 6 million. In this round, Bpifrance Investissement, Raise Ventures, Bayard Presse and several business angels are joining historical investors, some of whom also reinvested on this occasion, notably EduCapital, Pierre Kosciusko Morizet, Michaël Benabou and Hachette Livre. 

Solferino Associés (Bernard-Olivier Becker & Camille Chastagner) assisted PowerZ on contractual and corporate law aspects, with the assistance of Cazals Manzo Pichot Saint Quentin on tax aspects.

Bpifrance Investissement and Raise Ventures were advised by Joffe & Associés.

As part of the internationalization of its activities, the Voyageurs du Monde Group, the French leader in tailor-made travel (Voyageurs du Monde and Comptoir des Voyages) and adventure travel (Terres d’Aventure, Allibert Trekking and Nomade Aventure), has announced the signing of an investment agreement between the founders, the funds Certares and Nov Tourisme, which are acquiring a stake in the company, the historical investors (Crédit Mutuel Equity, Bpifrance, Montefiore Investment and BNP Paribas Développement), the company and its controlling shareholder, Avantage, for the following transactions:

• Certare’s entry into the capital of Avantage by subscribing to a convertible bond issue accompanied by Crédit Mutuel Equity and Bpifrance for a total amount of €40 million.
• First convertible bond issue by Voyageurs du Monde reserved for Certares, Crédit Mutuel Equity and Bpifrance for an amount of € 75 million.
• Second convertible bond issue by Voyageurs du Monde with preferential subscription rights, in June 2021, for an amount of approximately €55 million, with Avantage committing to subscribe to the €40 million invested by Certares, Crédit Mutuel Equity and Bpifrance in Avantage.

Solferino Associés (Bernard-Olivier Becker, Fouad Bellaaroussi & Marie Estelle Colin) advised Bpifrance on this transaction.

Crédit Mutuel Equity SCR was advised by Allen & Overy, Certares by Dechert LLP (legal aspects) and EY (tax structuring and due diligence). Voyageurs du Monde was advised by Chammas&Marcheteau.

Solferino Associés is pleased to announce the appointment of Diane Hervey-Chupin as new Partner. This appointment highlights the 10th anniversary of the firm.

Diane Hervey-Chupin’s appointment  is a recognition of her career within the firm and of her involvement with the firm’s clients, as well as her professional and human qualities.

This appointment also demonstrates Solferino Associés’ willingness to promote high-potential talents internally, and enables the firm to strengthen its position in complex litigation matters.

Charlotte Plantin and Guillaume Buge, partners in charge of the firm’s litigation practice declare: “We are very proud of Diane’s career within the firm. Her technical skills and the confidence relationship  she established  with our clients are fundamental for us.”

Diane Hervey-Chupin confirms: “I am delighted to become a partner, alongside lawyers with whom I have shared a strong relationship of trust and the same professional and human values for more than seven years.”

During her seven years of practice at Solferino Associés, Diane Hervey-Chupin has developed her practice in business litigation, and had the opportunity to assist the firm’s clients in many complex disputes before civil, commercial or criminal courts. She also has specific expertise in assisting healthcare professionals before disciplinary courts.

Having joined Solferino in 2013, Diane became Counsel in 2018.

Argos Wityu, an independent European private equity group, has acquired the French perimeter of Sword Group, creating an independent leader in IT-Digital and Software.

Solferino Associés (Bernard-Olivier Becker & Marie Estelle Colin) accompanied the directors and managers of Sword France in this transaction, with the assistance of Cazals Manzo Pichot Saint Quentin (Maxence Manzo & Bertrand de Saint-Quentin) for tax matters.

Argos Wityu was advised by Hogan Lovells.

The seller was advised by Quartèse Avocat and Korvinglaw.