Global law firm Freshfields has advised SoftwareOne Holding AG as global regulatory counsel and US securities law and finance counsel on an agreement with Crayon Group Holding ASA to launch a recommended voluntary stock and cash offer to acquire all the outstanding shares in Crayon. The tender offer comprises an equity value of approximately €1.4bn and is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, with completion expected in Q3 2025. SoftwareOne and Crayon are leading global providers of software and cloud solutions. Both companies help their customers to manage their software and cloud solutions, using the latest technology to navigate cloud, data and AI solutions to maximize their business. The combination will bring together the company’s complementary footprint, customer base and offering in order to enhance their differentiated services offering in a fast-growing market driven by digital transformation. The Freshfields antitrust team leads the regulatory approval process globally, seeking customary approvals in respect of merger control and foreign direct investment regimes. The Freshfields US Corporate and Finance teams assisted in respect of US securities and derivatives law and financing aspects of the deal. The Freshfields team was led by Partners Frank Roehling and Helmut Bergmann (both Antitrust, Berlin). The team further comprised Partners Oliver J. Board, Damien Zoubek (both Corporate/M&A, New York) and Brian Rance (Finance, New York), Counsel Bertrand Guerin (Antitrust, Berlin) and Greg Kahn (Finance, New York), Senior Associate Harriet Drury (London), Principal Associate Mathilde Beaumunier and Associate Geronimo Benedict (all Antitrust, Berlin).