Baker McKenzie has advised Freaks 4U Gaming, a global full-service gaming and esports agency based in the Berlin district of Spandau, on its strategic acquisition by NODWIN Gaming International Pte. Ltd, a Singapore-based entertainment and esports media production company.
NODWIN Gaming will increase its existing 13.51 percent stake in the company to 100 percent in tranches through a share swap valued at up to 30.3 million euros. All existing investors of Freaks 4U Gaming will become shareholders of NODWIN Gaming. NODWIN Gaming had previously acquired a minority stake in Freaks 4U Gaming through a 3.6 million euros convertible loan agreement, which became effective in December 2023, followed by a 4.4 million euros contribution in January 2024.
Baker McKenzie advised Freaks 4U Gaming on all legal aspects of the transaction, including the convertible loan, the capital increase, the share swap agreement and the shareholders' agreement with NODWIN Gaming. The completion of this transaction represents a landmark alliance within the global gaming and esports industry, as Freaks 4U Gaming becomes part of NODWIN Gaming and a key driver of the group's collective capabilities, while complementing its core business with competences in emerging markets.
"This strategic acquisition enables our client to offer its advisory services and products in additional locations in emerging markets. With our team, we were able to contribute to the successful completion of the transaction efficiently and seamlessly across different jurisdictions," commented Dr Tino Marz, who led the transaction, and Holger Engelkamp as client relationship partner.
Freaks 4U Gaming is a 360° marketing agency specializing in gaming and esports. Headquartered in Berlin with regional offices in Europe, Asia and North America, the company has been providing unrivalled industry knowledge and a variety of client-focused solutions since 2011. From strategic consulting to online and offline activations, Freaks 4U Gaming also delivers cutting-edge broadcast productions as one of the most recognized esports content producers in the world. Freaks 4U Gaming will maintain its brand identity and operational independence. Michael Haenisch will continue to lead the company as CEO.
NODWIN Gaming occupies a significant position in the global gaming and esports industry and is a leader in emerging markets. Since its founding in 2014 by Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has established a global presence in regions such as South Asia, Singapore, the Middle East and Turkey.
Baker McKenzie's Corporate/M&A team regularly advises on critical shareholder meetings and structural measures as well as on national and international transactions. Most recently, Baker McKenzie advised Trane Technologies on strategic investment in Trailer Dynamics, AURELIUS on the acquisition of Dayco Propulsion Solutions, EQT Life Sciences on a EUR 128 million Series B2 financing of Tubulis GmbH, Knorr-Bremse AG on the sale of a majority stake in Kiepe Electric GmbH, Transcom on the acquisition of timeframe, Sika AG on the acquisition of MBCC Group from Lone Star and the sale of MBCC's concrete admixtures business to Cinven, Senwes Ltd. on the acquisition of four agricultural machinery dealers in the former East Germany, AURELIUS on the acquisition of LSG Group (LSG Sky Chefs) from Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Nokian Tyres plc on the sale of its Russian business to Tatneft PJSC, First Solar on the sale of its global O&M business to NovaSource, Fluidra on the acquisition of Meranus Group and Magna on the acquisition of Veoneer Active Safety Division.
Legal advisor to Freaks 4U Gaming:
Baker McKenzie
Lead:
Corporate/M&A: Dr Tino Marz (partner, Munich), Holger Engelkamp (partner, Berlin)
Team:
Corporate/M&A: Min-tze Lean (partner, Singapore), Ben Boi Beetz (associate, Berlin), Erik Kuhn (associate, Munich)
Tax: Thomas Gierath (partner, Munich), Ariane Schaaf (counsel, Frankfurt)
Information Technology: Florian Tannen (partner, Munich)
Employment: Christian Koops (partner, Munich), Dr Philipp Schlotthauer (associate, Munich)
Banking & Finance: Matthias Töke (partner, Frankfurt), Saskia Ilzhöfer (associate, Frankfurt)
Public Law: Anahita Thoms (partner, Berlin), Dr Alexander Ehrle (senior associate, Berlin)