Coghlan Duffy + Co advises founders of Fillr on sale to Rakuten, Inc.

18 December 2020

Melbourne-based tech startup, Fillr, the world’s most intelligent autofill service, has been acquired by Rakuten Americas, the North American division of Tokyo Stock Exchange listed, electronic commerce and online retailing giant, Rakuten, Inc.  Coghlan Duffy + Co Lawyers, led by Director, Charly Duffy, Senior Associate, Zain Kazi and Lawyer, Marcus Triado, were delighted to act for the sellers on the transaction, which solidifies the partnership between Rakuten and Fillr which began in 2018.

Fillr's platform powers tens of millions of transactions monthly for the world's top e-commerce, fintech and 'buy now, pay later’ apps, including Klarna, Affirm, Zip, QuadPay and Rakuten.  Fillr makes it simple for consumers to register for and use buy now, pay later payment services, providing significant opportunities for digital retailers and financial services to grow their conversion rates and overall revenue. The acquisition leverages Rakuten and Fillr’s strong product synergies to accelerate their mutual goals of accelerating transactions, boosting conversions and growing customer lifetime value.

This is the second successful sale for Fillr's co-founders, Chris Koch and Chad Stephens, who sold their first startup, 1Form.com, to REA Group in 2014.  Chris and Chad will continue to lead the Fillr team from Melbourne.

About Fillr

Fillr enables customers to have a seamless checkout experience everywhere. Fillr's 'autofill as a service' seamlessly integrates into mobile apps, enabling customers to transact faster and boosting conversions and revenue, proudly powering tens of millions of transactions a month for the world's top e-commerce, fintech and buy now, pay later apps. For more information visit https://www.fillr.com

About Rakuten

Rakuten, Inc. is a global leader in internet services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Founded in Tokyo in 1997 as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded to offer services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications to approximately 1.4 billion members around the world. The Rakuten Group has over 20,000 employees, and operations in 30 countries and regions. For more information visit https://global.rakuten.com/corp/

For more information about this transaction, please refer to the recent articles in PR Newswire and FINSMES.

For further information, contact:

Charly Duffy | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: cduffy@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne. The firm is proud to work with an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co advises Advanced Mobility Analytics Group on its investment round

17 December 2020

Queensland-based artificial intelligence and technology startup, Advanced Mobility Analytics Group (AMAG), has closed a seed investment round comprising commercialisation support from UniQuest Pty Limited and a $1.5 million cash investment from ASX-listed PPK Group Limited (PPK).

Founded in 2018, AMAG aims to be the world leading digital platform provider for proactive road safety management. Led by co-founder and CEO Dr Simon Washington, along with co-founders Dr Tarek Sayed and Dr Shimul Haque, AMAG has solved the challenge of predictive analytics for road safety, and during the past decade have developed and proven the methodology and technology through research, refinement, testing and validation in 23 cities across 8 countries—and now offer this technology via Software-as-a-Service to governments globally. AMAG has been steadily building a highly qualified executive team and technical development team, working on groundbreaking products and solutions.

‘It was an absolute pleasure working with the Coghlan Duffy + Co team, which represented AMAG’s interests perfectly during critical negotiations and the legal documentation process. This critical milestone in AMAG’s commercial journey will enable us to further develop and scale our technology for the global market’, said Simon Washington.

Coghlan Duffy + Co were delighted to act for AMAG on their investment round. The CD + Co team was led by Director, John Coghlan, and Senior Associate, Zain Kazi.

For more information about this transaction, please refer to the ASX Announcement by PPK.

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, serving clients from ‘idea to IPO’.

The firm is proud to provide legal strategies and solutions to an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co advises on the sale of Clover to SuperEd

14 December 2020

Melbourne based robo-adviser, Clover.com.au Pty Ltd (Clover) recently sold its business to digital advice provider, SuperEd Pty Ltd (SuperEd) to create a pre-eminent, retirement focused financial advice FinTech with in-house asset management capabilities. 

Clover was founded in 2015 by former Mercer colleagues Harry Chemay, Sahil Kaura and Darcy Naunton together with Warren Burns, founder of digital agency BurnsRED.  Clover was created to allow a low-cost entry for the many Australians with insufficient wealth or financial resources to seek financial and investment advice.

Coghlan Duffy + Co has acted for Clover since its inception in 2014 and were delighted to assist on this important transaction. The CD + Co team was led by Director, John Coghlan and Senior Associate, Zain Kazi.

For more information about this transaction, see the recent article in PR Wire.

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, serving clients from ‘idea to IPO’.

The firm is proud to provide legal strategies and solutions to an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co advises Tractor Ventures

14 December 2020

Coghlan Duffy + Co has advised prominent angel investors and long-time clients, Matt and Aprill Allen, on the launch of their new investment fund, Tractor Ventures.

Tractor Ventures brings together a formidable team of mentors and investors who are focused on addressing demand among early stage start-ups for alternative funding models to traditional venture capital.

The CD + Co team was led by Director, John Coghlan, Associate, Laura Morgan and Lawyer, Marcus Triado.

For more information about the fund, please see today’s article in the AFR.

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, serving clients from ‘idea to IPO’.

The firm is proud to provide legal strategies and solutions to an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co advises Montu on record equity crowdfunding campaign

20 October 2020

Melbourne-based medicinal cannabis company, Montu, has created Australian crowdfunding history by being the fastest stock to reach its minimum target. Montu raised a record $300,000 in 59 minutes and $1 million in 36 hours. The crowdfunding offer remains open until 5 November 2020 and Montu is well on the way to raise a maximum of $2 million via crowdfunding platform, Birchal.

Coghlan Duffy + Co were delighted to act for Montu on this ground-breaking capital raise. The CD + Co team was led by Director, John Coghlan, and Lawyer, Marcus Triado.

Founded in 2019, Montu’s vision is to become a trusted prescription medicine partner to Australian doctors and enable patients to readily access medicinal cannabis treatments. Montu is already making significant strides, by rapidly expanding its network of doctors and growing its revenue at a rate of 40% month on month. The funds raised will be used for accelerating its expansion across Australia and New Zealand.

For more information about this transaction, please refer to Montu’s crowfunding campaign on Birchal, as well as articles on Business Insider and Stockhead.

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, serving clients from ‘idea to IPO’.

The firm is proud to provide legal strategies and solutions to an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

CD+Co - The Year That Was

12 June 2020

The past few months have obviously challenged most businesses.

Professional services firms – such as ours – have not been immune from a reduction in deal flow and turnover.

Nevertheless, it would be remiss of us not to celebrate and commend our team on what has otherwise been an outstanding year for the firm, with highlights that demonstrate how far we have come in less than 6 years to be one of the go to firms for entrepreneurial clients.

Among the many highlights over the last 12 months, we have helped:

• Amaero International Limited (ASX: 3DA) on its IPO and listing on the ASX (after completing an oversubscribed offer of shares raising $8M);

• Founders First Limited (ASX: FFL) (the first and only alcoholic beverage accelerator in Australia) on its IPO and listing on the ASX (raising ~$15.8M) after having assisted the Company in mid to late 2019 on its:

  • pre-IPO capital raises netting over $21M; and

  • acquisitions and substantial investments into 9 breweries and distilleries located around Australia.

• Practice Ignition on its AUD$26M Series D capital raise (one of the larger capital raises for a local start-up business, led by NY-based Tiger Global Management);

• Splitit Payments Ltd (ASX: SPT) on its AUD$16M placement in May 2020, after assisting with a AUD$30.3M raise in May 2019; 

• BetMakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX: BET) on placement raising AUD$2.76M; 

• Red Piranha Limited on its $2.5M capital raising in November 2019;

• Factor Holdings Limited (Taiwan) flip-up restructure to an Australian company, Factor Bikes Pty Ltd and subsequent $2M convertible note investment round;

• Active Utilities on the sale of 25 per cent stake in its business to Macquarie Bank;

• Drawboard on its $9M capital raise for US expansion (completed in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis);

• Sky High Ventures on its 100% acquisition of the Boss Australia business;

• the selling shareholders in Network2Share on their $5M sale to ASX listed, Rhipe; 

• York Butter Factory co-working space on its expansion into the Sydney market; and 

• various other seed capital raises for start-up clients based throughout Australia and others we can't talk about publicly.

We have also continued to champion entrepreneurship and innovation within and outside of the profession. For that reason, we continue to support Start Up Victoria as an industry partner, contributor to events and member communications, and by providing complimentary legal services to the winner of pitch-night contests, and pro-bono legal support to the board of the organisation.

Another highlight during the last 12 months was co-sponsoring, together with Pitcher Partners, the LAUNCH Festival (which is the largest startup event in the world), held in Sydney. The event attracted founders, angel investors, VC funds and other industry stakeholders to engage in meaningful debate and discussion about the future of angel investing, hosted by the inimitable Jason Calacanis.

We are appreciative of all of our clients. Thank you for your continuing support.

We could not be prouder of our team. We are a firm that punches above its weight only because of the calibre of the people that we have.

We look forward to what the future holds and the new opportunities that it brings. Onwards and upwards!

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, serving clients from ‘idea to IPO’.

The firm is proud to provide legal strategies and solutions to an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co advises Sky High Ventures on its successful acquisition of the Boss Air Suspension business

5 May 2020

Sky High Ventures Pty Ltd, an investment vehicle for entrepreneur Tony Stewart, recently completed its acquisition of all of the assets of Boss Air Suspension for an undisclosed amount. Sky High Ventures is a Gold-Coast based manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of premium quality air suspension products and technology.

Coghlan Duffy + Co were delighted to act for Sky High Ventures on its strategic acquisition.

The transaction includes a licence agreement with the US-based brand’s former parent company, Boss Global LLC, together with a long-term lease of the Queensland factory premises where local manufacturing of various air suspension technologies will continue and is envisaged to grow.

Tony Stewart said, ‘We obviously believe in the Boss brand and product lines and the strength of the operations to date. We also believe in Australian manufacturing: producing high-quality products locally and making those available direct to customers. Our plan is to steadily build the business, work with the US-based founders, and make the most of the opportunities that arise.’

The CD+Co team was led by Director, John Coghlan and Senior Associates Zain Kazi and Sarah Ward.

VT Advisory principal, Thomas Palmieri, advised Sky High Ventures on the business and tax aspects of the transaction.

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne, serving clients from ‘idea to IPO’.

The firm is proud to provide legal strategies and solutions to an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co advises Drawboard on $9M capital raise for US expansion

1 April 2020

Melbourne based start-up, Drawboard, recently released details of its $9M capital raise to facilitate its growth and expansion plans in the US. The investment round was led by US-based VC fund, Blackhorn Ventures and was supported by Steve Baxter’s TEN13.

Coghlan Duffy + Co were delighted to act for Drawboard on this strategic and important capital raise. The CD + Co team was led by Director, John Coghlan, Senior Associate, Zain Kazi and Lawyer, Carolin Darmanin.

Drawboard’s vision is to replace pen and paper, reduce waste and encourage sustainability. With more than one million global users and clients such as Santos and AECOM utilising its two software products, the funds will allow Drawboard to capitalise on broader opportunities in international markets.

Drawboard’s founder, Alistair Michener said in connection with the transaction: ‘this capital raise allows us to grow our presence in the Australian and US markets. The need for remote access and digital collaboration on documents and the movement towards a paper-less office environment is ever-growing – the recent health crisis has forced many businesses to consider how they may be able to work remotely more effectively.’

Speaking about the raise, John Coghlan said that it represented a ‘significant and exciting step in Drawboard’s evolution’ as the business looks, in particular, to capture more of the lucrative US market. ‘We have had the pleasure of acting for Drawboard for nearly 6 years and, in that time, witnessed firsthand their dedication to creating incredible software’, said John. ‘It is no surprise that they continue to grow from strength to strength’.

For more information about this transaction, see the recent article in the AFR.

For further information, contact:

John Coghlan | Director
T: +61 3 9614 2444  
E: jcoghlan@cdandco.com.au

Coghlan Duffy + Co is a boutique corporate and commercial law firm based in Melbourne. The firm is proud to work with an enviable list of clients, including prominent Australian start-ups and ASX-listed companies.

A: Level 42, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins St VIC 3000
T: +61 3 9614 2444
W: cdandco.com.au