Noerr advises Deutsche Börse on strategic partnership with Forge Global, expanding its Global Private Market Platform to Europe

A Noerr Team led by Holger Ebersberger and Florian Sippel advised Deutsche Börse AG on a strategic partnership with Forge Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: FRGE), a leading private securities marketplace. Leveraging the technology, track record and expertise of Forge Global, and market and regulatory know-how as well as the network of Deutsche Börse, Forge Europe will establish a digital marketplace for European companies and investors that provides access to Forge Global’s US liquidity network. Forge Europe will provide liquidity programs for companies, a marketplace that brings together buyers and sellers of private growth company shares and exclusive private market data that enable investors to make informed investment decisions.

Deutsche Börse as a long-time supporter of and investor in Forge Global, has strong European regulatory and market expertise and relationships with issuers, buy-side investors and other financial institutions that expand Forge Global’s ecosystem reach in Europe. As a strategic partner to Forge Europe, Deutsche Börse will further leverage its growth ecosystem, including its network of private European growth companies and international investors, as well as contribute a substantial minority investment in Forge Europe.

Forge Global Holdings, Inc is a leading private securities marketplace of marketplace infrastructure, data services and technology solutions for private market participants. By combining world-class trading technology and operating expertise, Forge Markets enables private company shareholders to trade private company shares with accredited investors. Forge Company Solutions, Forge Data and Forge Trust along with Forge Markets help provide additional transparency, access and solutions that companies as well as institutional and accredited investors need to confidently navigate and efficiently transact in the private markets.

Deutsche Börse Group is an international exchange organization and innovative market infrastructure provider, ensuring transparent, reliable and liquid financial markets. The business areas cover the entire financial market process chain. This includes, among others, the provision of indices, data and analytical solutions, admission, trading and clearing as well as settlement and custody of financial instruments, the understanding of local market requirements and its ability to run scaled and regulated market infrastructure.

Deutsche Börse’s transaction team was led by Florian Späth (Head of M&A/Venture Capital (Legal)) and included Ivo Frohmüller and Rainer Gallei.

Noerr repeatedly advises Deutsche Börse, most recently on an investment with Commerzbank in new digital market-places of the future.

Advisors to Deutsche Börse AG: Noerr Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB

Lead: Holger Ebersberger (partner, Private Equity/M&A, Munich) and Florian Sippel (associated partner, Private Equity/M&A, Frankfurt)

IT/Data Protection: 
Torsten Kraul (partner, Berlin), David Bomhard (senior associate, Munich)

IP:
Christoph Rieken (partner), Katja Steinthaler (senior associate, both Munich)

Financial Services Regulation:
Jens Kunz (partner, Frankfurt)

Private Equity/M&A:
Manuel Weiß (senior associate, Munich)

Tax:
Elmar Bindl (partner, Munich)