Allen & Overy advises Converge Technology Solutions Corp. on the intended acquisition of three Germany-based digital and IT organizations

Converge intends to acquire Gesellschaft für digitale Bildung mbH (“GfdB”), an IT services provider headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, as well as Institut für moderne Bildung GmbH (“IfmB”) with headquarters in Tutzing, Germany, and IT manufacturer DEQSTER GmbH (“Deqster”) which is equally located in Hamburg, Germany. All three companies specialize in the education sector and support with their offerings schools and universities in implementing their digital future. GfdB and IfmB are full-service IT suppliers for education, offering everything from hardware and software to advanced training as well as comprehensive technical and consulting services. Deqster specializes in the development and production of equipment for digital learning and working, with a broad portfolio comprising, amongst others, tablet cases, protective sleeves, digital pencils.

GfdB, IfmB and Deqster mark the 32nd acquisition announced by Converge since October 2017 and are still subject to a merger control clearance. With these acquisitions and in combination with previously acquired REDNET GmbH and Visucom GmbH, Converge will be a leading education partner in the German market.

After Allen & Overy had advised Converge on its market-entry in Europe by the acquisition of a majority interest in REDNET GmbH, an IT services provider headquartered in Mainz, Germany, this is now the second transaction that Allen & Overy has conducted for Converge within a year.

The team was led by partner Dr Matthias Horn (Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt) with support from associate Christin Schlorf (Corporate/M&A, Hamburg). Special advice was provided by partners Dr Heike Weber (Tax, Frankfurt), Thomas Neubaum (Banking, Frankfurt) and Dr Boerries Ahrens (Antitrust, Hamburg). Further support was provided by counsel Marie-Luise von Buchwaldt (Corporate/M&A, Hamburg), senior associates Catharina Glugla (Data Protection) and Anna Kraeling (IP/IT, both Dusseldorf) and associates Tom Haeseler (Banking/Finance), Lisa Wantzen (Employment and Benefits), Manuel Koechel (Tax, all Frankfurt), Dr Johannes Hilpert (Data Protection), Katharina Juenemann (IP/IT, both Dusseldorf), Dr Philipp Steinhaeuser (Antitrust, Hamburg), Carl-Philipp Hoepner (Real Estate, Hamburg) and senior transaction officers Laura Thiel and Oksana Daskaliuk (Frankfurt).