Degroux Brugère advised Sandwater, Wind Capital, and the Ecotechnologies 2 fund—managed on behalf of the French government by Bpifrance as part of the France 2030 initiative—during Mantle8’s €31 million financing round.

This Series A funding round comes after a period of strong growth for the Grenoble-based company, which specializes in the exploration and drilling of natural hydrogen, and is part of a global exploration campaign aimed at identifying the first natural hydrogen deposit that can be exploited on an industrial scale. The funds raised will notably enable the deployment of the proprietary technology developed by Mantle8. Natural hydrogen is a strategic lever for the decarbonization of industry, and Mantle8’s innovative technology aims to significantly reduce the risks and costs associated with exploration.

Jérémie Swiecznik and Benoît Courtet advised Sandwater, Wind Capital, and Bpifrance on all legal and transactional aspects of this transaction.

Degroux Brugère advised the FrenchTech Souveraineté fund, managed on behalf of the French government by Bpifrance, which participated in a €50 million funding round led by Safran Corporate Ventures, alongside Innovacom and EDF, as well as new investors such as the European Innovation Council Fund, the Blast Club, and the Florida Opportunity Fund. This funding is part of a total fundraising effort of 340 million euros, which also includes public grants and international financing.

This major initiative enables the aerospace company Aura Aero to accelerate the development of its ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft) program, a hybrid-electric regional aircraft capable of carrying 19 passengers or two tons of cargo. It will be on display at the Paris Air Show in 2023, with its maiden flight scheduled for 2027.

Founded in 2018 by former Airbus engineers, the Toulouse-based startup now has the resources and stability needed to embark on a long-term industrial trajectory and realize an ambition that has been central to the France 2030 initiative from the outset: fostering the emergence of new French industrial champions.

A new round of fundraising is also expected to take place in the coming weeks, with a view to building the French plant dedicated to ERA production.

Jérémie Swiecznik and Benoît Courtet acted as counsel to the FrenchTech Souveraineté fund on all legal and transactional aspects of this transaction.

Located in Plumelin, in the Morbihan department, Kingoland has established itself since its opening in 2014 as a leading family amusement park in Brittany. With around 40 rides, shows, and immersive experiences, the park employs more than 70 seasonal workers.

This acquisition marks a major strategic shift for the Bayard Group, which has historically been rooted in the press and publishing sectors. By acquiring control of Kingoland through the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption, its shareholder, the group is embarking on a diversification into the “experience economy,” which is set to play a pivotal role in its future development.

Jérémie Swiecznik and Sarra Messaoudi advised Kingoland’s partners on all legal and transactional aspects of this transaction.