Deloitte Legal advises DATEV on the acquisition of b4 value.net GmbH

A Deloitte Legal team jointly led by Niko Jakovou (Partner, Corporate/M&A/Capital Markets) and Christoph Meves (Counsel, Corporate/M&A, both Düsseldorf) has advised Nuremberg-based DATEV Beteiligungen GmbH, a subsidiary of DATEV eG, on the two-step acquisition of all shares in b4 value.net GmbH based in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The first step of the transaction, aimed at acquiring a qualified majority of 75% of the shares, was completed on June 7, 2024. Besides Deloitte Legal, Deloitte Tax and Financial Advisory teams were also involved in the transaction.

With the acquisition of b4 value.net, DATEV is further expanding its offering in the dynamically growing area of electronic business and invoice data distribution. Through its TRAFFIQX® network, b4 value.net operates an established platform for the secure electronic exchange of documents and data throughout Europe. DATEV has been part of this network for many years with its DATEV SmartTransfer service and has a long-standing working relationship on a basis of trust with b4 value.net. By acquiring the infrastructure, DATEV is preparing for the foreseeable further development of e-invoicing obligations in Germany and the reporting obligations for tax-relevant invoice data that is expected at a later date. 

Deloitte Legal regularly advises DATEV on M&A transactions and corporate law measures. 

Advisor DATEV Beteiligungen GmbH:

Deloitte Legal Germany: Niko Jakovou (Corporate/M&A/Capital Markets), Christoph Meves (Corporate/M&A, both lead, both Düsseldorf), Claus Wilker (Employment & Benefits, Hanover), Andreas Leclaire, Constanze Raßfeld (both Commercial), Sebastian von Rüden, Sonja Baier, Ailin Mehravar (IP, all Düsseldorf), Till Contzen, Katharina Scheja, Christopher Bösch (all IT, all Frankfurt am Main), Nikola Werry, Alina Scheja (both Frankfurt am Main), Juliane Franze (Berlin, all Data Protection Law), Felix Skala, Katharina Zickermann (both Competition and Antitrust Law, both Hamburg)

About DATEV:

DATEV eG, based in Nuremberg, is a leading provider of software and IT services for tax consultants, auditors and lawyers. Founded as a cooperative, DATEV has developed into one of the largest German software companies since its foundation in 1966 and plays a central role in the digital transformation of German SMEs and freelancers. With around 8,900 employees, DATEV generated sales of EUR 1.44 billion in the 2023 financial year.

Published: Juni 2024