Linklaters advises Hg and team.blue on investment from CPP Investments in transaction worth €4.8bn

Linklaters has advised Hg and team.blue on Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s (“CPP Investments”) acquisition of a c.20% stake in team.blue, valuing the company at €4.8bn, making it one of the largest privately owned technology companies in Europe. Hg will remain team.blue’s largest investor and has invested further funds in team.blue as part of this transaction.

This new investment from CPP Investments and Hg will support team.blue’s growth strategy, underpinned by a vision to provide ever more valuable online tools for businesses, with further AI-led product innovation. This investment represents an important milestone for the team.blue group - today team.blue has more than 2,500 fully committed colleagues, including many tech entrepreneurs that have joined, and thrived, with the business over the past five years to continue its dynamic culture. team.blue is actively investing in innovative products by joining forces with leading SaaS companies in Europe that share the same vision.

The Linklaters deal team was led by Co-Head of the firm’s Global Financial Sponsors group Alex Woodward and Private Equity partner Ben Suen, alongside managing associates Amy Barker and Frances Hibbert, associates Ayo Thomas and Kavi Shah. They were supported by the Amsterdam M&A team led by partner Mariken van Esch alongside managing associate Niki van Kessel and associates Joris Knoll and Lilianne Bunk.

Partner Manfred Müller, counsel Maxime Bertomeu-Savalle and managing associate Ida Jacotey advised on Luxembourg law matters, partner Neil Hoolihan advised on antitrust and foreign investment aspects and partner Jamie Coomber advised on tax.