We have advised the management team of Smartbox Group on the equity arrangements with new investment partner Verdane, as part of Smartbox’s latest growth transaction.
Smartbox’s new partnership with Verdane will accelerate international access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) technology, which is designed to help people with difficulties writing or with speech. The deal sees Verdane take over as majority shareholder of Smartbox – a position previously held by the CareTech Group, which will continue to be a minority shareholder. Meanwhile, Three Hills, a private markets investment firm specialising in providing bespoke capital solutions to entrepreneur and management-led businesses in Europe and North America, has invested alongside Verdane and CareTech.
Smartbox, which is headquartered in Bristol and Malvern, is a global leader in AAC solutions, creating software and hardware that give a voice to people with complex communication needs and enabling them to live more independent lives. The partnership with Verdane will support further investment, helping Smartbox expand its reach and scale its mission to ensure that no one is left without a voice.
The team, working alongside Shaw & Co, advised Smartbox’s management team on all aspects of their equity arrangements in the transaction. The deal team was led by Mark Shepherd, together with Tim Roberts, Harriet Lucas and Claire Withers.
