Osborne Clarke advises Founders Forum Group on the expansion of its partnership with Silicon Valley Bank

International law firm Osborne Clarke has advised on the acquisition of a part-ownership stake by SVB Financial Group, ultimate parent of Silicon Valley Bank UK, in Founders Forum Group. Founders Law, Founders Forum Group’s full-service law firm, led and co-founded by Tom Bohills, also advised on this transaction.

The Osborne Clarke team assisting Founders Forum Group was led by Corporate Partner Tom Try and Senior Associate Josephine Healy-Russell. Partner Erika Jupe and Associate Director Rob Thomas advised on tax matters.

Founders Forum Group and SVB will join forces to champion entrepreneurial innovation throughout Europe and on a global scale, and the deal will see Silicon Valley Bank UK become a lead partner at three of Founders Forum Group’s flagship events.     

Founders Forum Group is a global community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys. The organisation hosts events worldwide, including flagship forums in Singapore London, New York, and Berlin, and is one of the co-hosts of London Tech Week.

The transaction will further strengthen the relationship between Founders Forum Group and Silicon Valley Bank to support the global innovation economy and fuel entrepreneurial growth across a range of geographic markets and industry sectors.

Silicon Valley Bank UK's CEO and Head of EMEA, Erin Platts will join Founders Forum Group’s Board of Directors, bringing her deep expertise in financing innovation economy businesses and supporting the UK and Europe’s leaders within the global innovation economy.

Founders Forum Group is a long-standing client of Osborne Clarke, as are many of the entities in Founders Forum Group and its extended ecosystem, including Founders Factory and firstminute capital.

Osborne Clarke’s Corporate team is a go-to practice for companies in the Tech, Media and Comms, and Fintech sectors. Its clients range from global businesses to fast-growth start-ups and market challengers. The team advises at every stage of company development across all corporate issues, from equity and debt fundraisings to M&A, IPOs and JVs.