Travelnode Acquisition: Bär & Karrer Advises Sandberg Capital and ARX Equity Partners
Deal News | Apr 28, 2025 | Legal Community Swiss
Bär & Karrer has advised Sandberg Capital and ARX Equity Partners on their recent acquisition of a majority stake in Travelnode, the holding company of Phobs. Phobs is a software provider that caters to the hospitality sector in the Adriatic region. Sandberg Capital, founded in 2014, is an alternative investment fund management company focusing on small to medium-sized companies in Slovakia and Central and Eastern Europe. ARX Equity Partners, based in Prague, specializes in mid-sized companies across Central Europe and became a signatory of the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment in 2014. The advisory team from Bär & Karrer included Christoph Neeracher, Philippe Seiler, Lazar Lepir, David Mark, Lukas Roesler, and Zden Omrcan, covering aspects such as M&A, finance, and notarial services.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Software & Technology
- Hospitality
Geography
- Slovakia – Sandberg Capital is based in Slovakia, focusing their investments in the region.
- Czech Republic – ARX Equity Partners is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, emphasizing their operational focus in Central Europe.
- Adriatic Region – The target company, Travelnode, operates in the Adriatic region, serving the hospitality sector there.
- Switzerland – The legal advisory firm Bär & Karrer, involved in the transaction, is based in Switzerland.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article focuses on the acquisition made by Sandberg Capital and ARX Equity Partners, highlighting significant investment activity in the private equity sector.
- Software & Technology – Travelnode, the target in the acquisition, is a holding company for Phobs, a software provider serving the hospitality sector.
- Hospitality – Phobs, part of Travelnode, provides software solutions to the hospitality industry, making this sector relevant to the acquisition.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelnode | Target Company | Company | Holding company of Phobs, a software provider for the hospitality sector in the Adriatic region. |
| Sandberg Capital | Bidding Company | Company | An alternative investment fund management company based in Slovakia, focusing on small and medium-sized companies in Central and Eastern Europe. |
| ARX Equity Partners | Bidding Company | Company | A private equity firm headquartered in Prague, specializing in mid-sized companies in the Central European region. |
| Bär & Karrer | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided Swiss legal counsel for Sandberg Capital and ARX Equity Partners in the acquisition of Travelnode. |
| Christoph Neeracher | M&A Advisor | Person | Part of the Bär & Karrer legal team advising on M&A aspects of the transaction. |
| Philippe Seiler | M&A Advisor | Person | Part of the Bär & Karrer legal team advising on M&A aspects of the transaction. |
| Lazar Lepir | M&A Advisor | Person | Part of the Bär & Karrer legal team advising on M&A aspects of the transaction. |
| David Mark | M&A Advisor | Person | Part of the Bär & Karrer legal team advising on M&A aspects of the transaction. |
| Lukas Roesler | Finance Advisor | Person | Provided financial advisory as part of the Bär & Karrer legal team. |
| Zden Omrcan | Notarial Services | Person | Provided notarial services as part of the Bär & Karrer legal team. |