Cologne, 29 August 2023 – A YPOG team led by Dr. Johannes Janning advised the food tech company Circus on the acquisition of Berlin-based cooking robot startup Aitme. The transaction secures Circus access to cutting-edge technology in kitchen robotics. With the acquisition, Circus also expands its team with highly skilled experts in robotics and integrates the advanced cooking robots into its workflow infrastructure. The robots are expected to operate cost-effectively with minimal personnel and strengthen the level of automation in Circus' micro kitchens. Aitme is funded with a double-digit million amount from big-name investors and has developed a cooking robot to market since its founding in 2019.
Immediately before the acquisition of Aitme, a YPOG team also led by Dr. Johannes Janning advised Circus on a €5.5 million funding round headed by venture capitalists BlackMars Capital and 2bx.
Team
Dr. Johannes Janning (Lead, Transactions), Partner, Köln
Nina Ahlert (Transactions), Senior Associate, Köln
Matthias Kresser (Transaction), Partner, Berlin/Hamburg
Dr. Malte Bergmann (Tax) Partner, Hamburg
Lukas Schmitt (Tax), Associate, Hamburg
Dr. Matthias Schatz (Corporate), Partner, Köln
Jannis Fischer (Corporate), Associate, Köln
Dr. Benedikt Flöter (IP/IT/Data Protection), Associated Partner, Berlin
Dr. Christoph Cordes (IP/IT/Data Protection), Associate, Berlin
About Circus
Circus has created technology-driven micro-kitchen hubs that combine automation and digitalization intelligently. Recipes for Circus' wide culinary selection are developed by Artificial Intelligence - which allows a large number of personalized dishes at low production costs and efficient use of resources. Since its launch in summer 2022, Circus has already rolled out its service in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin and Duisburg, and raised a total of 18 million euros from investors.
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Contact:
Benno Engelmann
T +49 172 2749 689 | E presse@ypog.law
Engelmann Advisory
engelmann-advisory.com
About us
YPOG is a law firm specialized in tax and business law, active in the core fields of Funds, Tax, Banking + Finance, and Transactions. The team at YPOG represents a broad client base, which ranges from emerging technology companies and family-run SMEs to large corporations, as well as private equity, and venture capital funds. YPOG is one of the leading advisors for venture capital, private equity, and fund structuring in Germany. The firm and its partners have been recognized nationally and internationally by JUVE, Best Lawyers, Legal 500, Focus, Chambers and Partners as well as Leaders League. Today, YPOG has more than 120 experienced lawyers and tax specialists and a notary, in three offices, located in Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne.
