Corporate acquisition handshake

Published on June 15, 2025

Acme Corp acquires Beta Ltd.

Led counsel for Acme in a $250M cross-border acquisition.

Client

Acme Corp

Practice

corporate-law

Jurisdiction

New York & London

Value

$250M

Result

Acquisition closed on schedule with favorable terms.

Category

M&A

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Attorneys Involved

Our attorneys bring deep expertise and dedication to every case. Learn more about the professionals who guided this matter to a successful resolution, each contributing specialized skills and strategic insight to deliver results for our client.

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John Sullivan

Partner

New York Office

Corporate LawMergers & AcquisitionsBusiness Compliance
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Client Testimonial

"The team delivered exceptional strategic guidance from diligence to close."

— CFO, Acme Corp

Transaction Overview

Acme Corp, a leading provider of enterprise software solutions, announced its acquisition of Beta Ltd., a UK-based fintech company specializing in digital payment processing. The $250 million transaction represented a strategic expansion into the European payments market.

Strategic Rationale

The acquisition aligned with Acme’s growth strategy to:

  • Expand market presence in Europe
  • Diversify revenue streams beyond traditional enterprise software
  • Leverage Beta’s innovative payment technology
  • Access new customer segments in financial services

We structured the transaction as a stock-for-stock merger with:

  • Fixed exchange ratio of 0.75 Acme shares per Beta share
  • Collar mechanism to protect against share price volatility
  • Earn-out provisions tied to Beta’s post-closing performance
  • Standard representations, warranties, and indemnification provisions

Regulatory Considerations

The cross-border nature of the transaction required careful navigation of:

  • U.S. Securities Laws: SEC filing requirements under the Securities Exchange Act
  • UK Regulatory Framework: Takeover Code compliance and FCA notifications
  • Antitrust Review: Hart-Scott-Rodino filing and EU merger control analysis
  • Foreign Investment: CFIUS review due to Beta’s access to sensitive payment data

Due Diligence Process

Our comprehensive due diligence covered:

  • Financial audits and quality of earnings analysis
  • Technology IP portfolio assessment
  • Regulatory compliance review
  • Employment and real estate matters
  • Cybersecurity and data protection evaluation

Key Challenges Addressed

  • Currency Fluctuations: Hedging strategies to manage GBP/USD exchange rate risk
  • Regulatory Timelines: Coordinated filings to meet competing regulatory deadlines
  • Employee Retention: Retention agreements for key Beta personnel
  • Integration Planning: Post-closing governance and operational integration

Closing and Integration

The transaction closed on schedule in Q2 2025, achieving:

  • Seamless technology integration within 90 days
  • Retention of 95% of Beta’s key employees
  • Achievement of projected cost synergies
  • Successful market reception with 15% share price appreciation

Client Impact

This acquisition positioned Acme as a comprehensive enterprise solutions provider with expanded European presence and diversified product offerings. The successful execution demonstrated our ability to manage complex cross-border transactions while delivering value to our clients.

Lessons Learned

The case highlighted the importance of:

  • Early regulatory engagement and proactive planning
  • Comprehensive due diligence in technology acquisitions
  • Cultural integration planning for international transactions
  • Flexible deal structuring to accommodate market conditions