BRANDL TALOS advised Highland Europe on its investment into smaXtec

Press release • Venture Capital & Start Ups from Roman Rericha, Adrian Zuschmann

smaXtec, a leading provider of agri-tech for the global dairy industry, announced a growth investment led by global investment firm, KKR, alongside technology investor Highland Europe.

smaXtec is a leading monitoring platform that transforms dairy farming by enhancing efficiency and promoting animal health through its proprietary technology. The platform enables early disease detection, monitors fertility with heat detection, and reduces birth-related complications, all contributing to improved cow welfare and farm productivity.

At the heart of smaXtec’s innovation is the in-vivo bolus, a proprietary sensor placed inside a cow’s stomach. This sensor provides real-time, accurate data, seamlessly integrated with a cloud-based, AI-powered analytics platform. Farmers can access actionable insights and alerts via remote monitoring, empowering them to make timely and informed decisions.

The Highland Europe Team was led by David Blyghton, Will De Quant and Jo Healy. A BRANDL TALOS team led by Roman Rericha and further supported by Adrian Zuschmann advised Highland Europe on all legal aspects of the transaction.

» Roman and Adrian were fantastic partners on Highland’s investment in smaXtec. This transaction had a number of complexities: multiple buyers and sellers, a multifaceted legal structure and a condensed timeline. Roman’s significant experience in similar deals meant he was able to provide excellent legal support across due diligence, regulation and document negotiation – all fundamental to getting the investment over the line. «
David Blyghton, Partner Highland Europe

KKR has been advised by Gibson Dunn (led by Dirk Oberbracht and Jakob Egle) with Wolf Theiss acting as Austrian counsel.

The team
Roman Rericha
Partner / Fund Formation, Venture Capital & Start Ups, Corporate Law & Transactions
Roman represents clients in complex cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. Austrian and international venture capital funds regularly turn to him for assisting with investments in Austria. His expert advice also guides start-ups through large-scale financing rounds.

University of Vienna, Faculty of Law (Mag. iur. 2005),
Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics, (Mag. rer.soc.oec. 2007)
Adrian Zuschmann
Partner / Corporate Law & Transactions, Venture Capital & Start Ups
Adrian specializes in corporate transactions, advising institutional and strategic investors, founders, and growth companies.
His practice centers on navigating clients through complex financing rounds, M&A and private equity transactions, portfolio investments, and exit strategies.

JUVE Verlag has recognized Adrian as a "rising star" in M&A for two consecutive years and included him in its inaugural "14 under 40" ranking for Austria.

Queen Mary University of London (MSc Law & Finance 2020)
University of Vienna, Faculty of Law (Magister iuris 2015)