Deal Ticker: Kellerhals Carrard advises on Check Point Software’s acquisition of Lakera

Lakera, a Swiss startup founded by visionary entrepreneurs David Haber, Matthias Kraft, and Mateo Rojas-Carulla, has joined forces with NASDAQ-listed cybersecurity giant Check Point Software Technologies in a landmark transaction recently closed. Supported by its long-time investors, Lakera has established itself as a pioneer in AI security with the development of industry-leading products that ensure reliable, secure, and ethical AI systems. 

By becoming part of Check Point, Lakera will bring its cutting-edge technologies to a global customer base, accelerating its growth and driving further innovation in the AI security space. This acquisition also underscores Switzerland’s prominent role in shaping frontier technologies and reinforces Zurich’s position as a vibrant tech hub, powered by a dynamic ecosystem of startups, investors, and talent. 

We are proud to have assisted Lakera and two of its early investors on this journey with two dedicated teams at Kellerhals Carrard: 

• A team led by Karim Maizar (Partner, Corporate/VC) and including Arnault Eckert (Associate, Corporate/VC) and Michèle Remund (Partner, Tax) advised Lakera on its employee stock option plan (ESOP) prior to and throughout the transaction. 

• In parallel, a team led by Nicolas Mosimann (Partner, Corporate/VC) and including Kevin MacCabe (Senior Associate, Corporate/VC) and Sebastian Müller (Associate, Corporate/VC), acted as Swiss counsel to Atomico and Redalpine working alongside lead counsel Proskauer Rose LLP. 

Aloys Van de vreken, Finance and Equity Lead of Lakera: “Karim's team advised us through our ESOP revision and the intricacies our ESOP brought during our acquisition which followed shortly after. We greatly valued their knowledge, availability and above all pragmatic solutions in guiding us through the complexity of an international transaction. As a fast-moving scale-up, Lakera benefited from clear, pragmatic legal guidance that helped translate complexity into workable business solutions”. 

“Throughout the transaction, Kellerhals Carrard provided exceptional guidance to us as one of the major sellers, combining deep expertise with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach that kept pace with the complexities of an international deal.” says Harald Nieder, general partner at Redalpine. 

We extend our warmest congratulations to Redalpine and Atomico for this outstanding transaction and to Lakera as it enters this exciting new chapter with Check Point Software. We look forward to seeing the team make a global impact in AI security and innovation.