Realigning, raising, reinventing: mid-market M&A in motion
Deal activity I Q2 2025
In Q2 2025, our clients completed 47 transactions across diverse industries and geographies — a testament to their strategic ambition in a complex macroeconomic environment. This quarter’s activity underscores the continued relevance of M&A as companies pursue exits and acquisitions, secure capital, or navigate succession plans.
With strong momentum in sell-side mandates (25 deals), supplemented by 13 buy-side, 7 fundraising and 2 other advisory assignments, clients demonstrated confident market engagement despite broader volatility.
Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) again led in volume, underscoring persistent demand for digital infrastructure and data-led solutions. Activity also remained strong in Consumer & Retail, Energy, Financial Services and Construction & Engineering — sectors where business owners are navigating transformation and preparing for future growth. Several of these transactions were cross-border or involved private equity buyers, reinforcing the importance of both international reach and sector-specific expertise.
In Energy, we continue to see growing M&A activity around the move to renewable and resilient systems — a trend explored further in our recent interview (see below) on the energy transition from an M&A perspective. As regulatory, investor and operational pressures converge, dealmaking is playing a central role in shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape.
The following section features selected transactions from Q2, alongside client perspectives on what made the difference by working with Oaklins — from managing complexity to finding the right strategic match. Whether planning an exit, raising capital or pursuing acquisitions, our role is to bring clarity, experience and commitment to every step of the process.
A selection of deals closed in Q2
We are proud that Crux Agribotics is joining the VDL family. As a leading and innovative AgTech company, Crux Agribotics is working to ensure that, through the use of high-tech systems, more food can be produced more safely per square metre with a smaller footprint while using fewer resources and generating less waste. It’s great that the Eindhoven-based Crux is now joining the family-owned company in the region, where a long-term vision is at the core of its DNA.RICHARD VIALLE, CO-FOUNDER OF KIND TECHNOLOGIES, THE PARENT COMPANY OF CRUX AGRIBOTICS
Oaklins’ Danish team delivered on its promises and provided strong, professional support throughout the entire process. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in securing a successful outcome. We’re thrilled to begin this next chapter with Saint-Gobain and look forward to unlocking the full potential of Maturix as part of a global leader in sustainable construction.LARS FRIIS, CHAIRMAN AND SHAREHOLDER, MATURIX
Throughout the process, Oaklins proved to be a highly professional and committed partner. They provided strategic guidance from the start, identifying and engaging with a carefully selected group of potential buyers. Their structured approach and deep market knowledge were instrumental in ultimately securing a successful outcome. As founder-owners, we truly valued their ability to safeguard the legacy of the business while maximizing shareholder value and creating a strong foundation for the next phase of growth.RENÉ FABRIE, FOUNDER, CARWISE
Before the project kick-off, Oaklins noted that the project schedule would be tight but achievable. The entire project team worked with determination toward the goal under Oaklins’ leadership, and the timeline objective was met. In addition, Oaklins provided excellent executive-level support in challenging situations and contributed all the necessary input to ensure the project’s success. I can warmly recommend Oaklins’ investment banking services.MARKUS MYLLYMÄKI, CEO, TOIVO GROUP PLC
The Oaklins Swiss team advised us on the successful sale of our group of companies with great expertise and with a great deal of empathy. We felt very well supported and accompanied — both professionally and personally. We would engage the team again at any time.BRIGITTE AND HERMANN GRAF, FORMER OWNERS, T&N GROUP
While the company’s roots are, and always will be, in Norway, this transaction marks a new chapter as Trodo becomes a 100% Latvian-owned business. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received throughout this process, especially from the team at Oaklins who helped make it happen. We also want to acknowledge the contribution of our late co-founder, Jan Otto Jansen, whose trust in our vision and deep experience in the automotive aftermarket gave us invaluable confidence in the early days. We are honored to carry that legacy forward.EMĪLS EVERSS AND HELVIJS EVERSS, CO-FOUNDERS, TRODO
Joining AddSecure marks an exciting new chapter for us. Together, we will leverage our combined strengths to deliver innovative, secure solutions that drive growth and create greater value for both our existing and new customers. Oaklins’ transaction process really works. With a truly professional team that does a solid job while still being pragmatic, it ensures a smooth journey and delivers substantial relief to the parties involved. Most importantly, the final result met our high expectations.MAGNUS HEDBERG, FOUNDER AND CEO, GROUPTALK
We have built an incredible team at GDK focused on delivering for our partners, franchisees and guests, and we are looking forward to the next phase of the GDK journey with True. On behalf of all of us at Hero Brands, I would like to thank the Oaklins Cavendish team very much for all of their hard work — their wise advice, their transaction execution skills and their approach to getting the job done was fantastic. We look forward to working with Oaklins Cavendish again, as Hero Brands continues to develop and grow its other great brands.ATHIF SARWAR, EXECUTIVE CHAIR, HERO BRANDS
We are very pleased to support the Briconord group in its next phase of development. We were convinced by its strong fundamentals as well as the quality and commitment of its management team, led by Christian Guillou. We would like to thank the Oaklins team for introducing us to the process; their involvement was instrumental in the success of the transaction.SÉBASTIEN CAILLIAU AND FRÉDÉRIC JOUENNE, CO-HEADS OF STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES, ODDO BHF
Oaklins was instrumental as lead advisor in securing a successful transaction. Their hands-on support during the M&A process and commercial negotiations significantly accelerated the transaction and reduced the burden on our management team — always with a clear focus on our strategic goals.RUDOLF DUDLER, MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND CO-OWNER, CERBIOS-PHARMA S.A.
Playing in the Champions League of solar technology means constantly pushing the edge in performance, precision and the partners you choose. Oaklins proved to be exactly that: a sharp, trusted advisor who brought clarity, energy and sector expertise to the table. Their support helped us secure a long-term partner aligned with our global ambitions.STEFAN ROEST, FOUNDER AND CTO, ETERNAL SUN
Oaklins was instrumental in securing a great outcome for iwell. Their M&A and debt teams worked seamlessly, creating a competitive bidding process and expertly managing every stage. This allowed me to fully focus on crafting the investor story, while they ensured momentum and alignment across all stakeholders. Always available and truly going the extra mile, they combined strategic insight with creative dealmaking to secure the ideal mix of fresh equity and debt funding to accelerate our growth in a rather challenging investor climate. I would recommend them without hesitation to any CEO seeking a committed, hands-on fundraising partner.JAN WILLEM DE JONG, FOUNDER AND CEO, IWELL
We’re proud to build on the Forbes family’s legacy and the strong foundation they created for policyholders. With USL and our proven expertise in direct-to-consumer legal plans and digital sales and marketing, we are shaping the future of how Americans access legal services. As we enter this next chapter, our team is committed to expanding innovative services that address emerging risks while driving growth and enhancing value for policyholders. Jacksonville’s vibrant business community and north Florida’s talented workforce make this area the ideal location for our growth. We are also especially grateful to the Oaklins Heritage team, whose strategic guidance and hands-on support were instrumental throughout every stage of the transaction.KYLE SWEET, CEO, AFFILIATE OF CCW SAFE, LLC
Throughout the process, Oaklins provided us with highly professional, rigorous and dedicated support. I would like to thank the entire team for their commitment, availability and valuable guidance, which contributed to the success of this transaction.NATHALIE GRAND-MORIN, CEO, LE CERCLE
