for excellent transaction support, e.g. through commercial, financial or tax due diligence, company valuation or integrated M&A readiness
The M&A Award, organized by mandaco, honors the most outstanding transactions and personalities in the industry every year. They stand for quality, trust, and cooperation – values that unite and strengthen the M&A community. The award ceremony in Berlin became a meeting place for decision-makers, strategists, and visionaries who are shaping change with courage and integrity. The awards recognized deals that set standards – through resilience, complexity, and vision. It was an evening full of inspiration, exchange, and recognition for excellence in the field of M&A.
The awards are presented in ten categories—divided into “Corporate” and “Advisors”—and reflect the diversity and relevance of modern M&A activities:
for excellent transaction support, e.g. through commercial, financial or tax due diligence, company valuation or integrated M&A readiness
for legal support at the highest level, from structuring and contract negotiations to regulatory implementation
for classic M&A consulting with strategic depth, professional process management and successful deal matching
for deals under challenging regulatory, geopolitical or operational conditions
for transactions with a social, environmental or location-related impact
for established companies that integrate innovations through start-up acquisitions
for SMEs with a strategic fit, sustainable value creation and entrepreneurial spirit
for young companies that have demonstrated strong growth and maturity through acquisitions
for a structured, replicable approach along the entire transaction process
for family-run companies with vision, values and responsibility
The M&A Awards Hall of Fame presents previous winners who have shaped the industry with their outstanding M&A transactions and deals and who have impressed with their strategic planning and successful implementation.
ALTANA received the M&A Award 2024 for the “Best M&A Playbook” for the successful takeover and integration of the von Roll Group into its subsidiary ELANTAS. The jury highlighted the professional execution despite limited due diligence and a complex shareholder structure as well as the clear communication and strategic integration as best practice.
The M&A Award 2024 recognizes Deutsche Bahn for the successful sale of the Arriva Group to I Squared Capital. The jury emphasized the mastery of complex challenges and professionalism despite the corona pandemic. The deal shows that clear objectives and flexibility are crucial for successful transactions.
EnBW was honored with the M&A Award 2024 for the “Best Infrastructure Deal for Germany” for successfully securing partners to finance the investment-intensive expansion of TransnetBW as part of the Energiewende. The jury praised the innovative and transparent process, which enabled forward-looking solutions despite rising interest rates and complex legal conditions.
BioNTech received the M&A Award 2024 in the category “M&A for a Greater Good” for the acquisition of InstaDeep, a leading AI-based technology company, to strengthen its drug discovery and development capabilities. The jury recognized the strategic focus on social and scientific goals as well as the successful integration of InstaDeep, which sustainably strengthens BioNTech’s […]
Marktlink was honored with the M&A Award 2024 for advising on the sale of Toptron Elektronik to AL-KO Fahrzeugtechnik, ensuring a successful integration and long-term perspective for all parties. The jury emphasized the precise process planning, the harmonious exchange and the consideration of technical and cultural challenges as the key to success.
MOOG was awarded “Best M&A Legal Advisory” for its legal advice on the sale of a German infrastructure company with a complex shareholder structure. The jury recognized the comprehensive advice, which took into account cross-generational interests, and the successful implementation of a legally sophisticated 360-degree solution.
digatus received the M&A Award 2024 for its successful support of an IT carve-out during the acquisition of CordenPharma by Astorg VIII, including the migration of complex SAP system landscapes and the establishment of a global IT platform. The jury recognized the challenging implementation under strict regulatory requirements and the assurance of smooth operations in […]
Infineon was recognized as a finalist in the M&A Awards 2024 for the strategic acquisition of GaN Systems, as the clear linking of strategy and M&A processes as well as efficient implementation were convincing. The acquisition strengthened Infineon’s market position and innovative strength in power electronics and serves as a role model for systematic M&A […]
The purchase agreement between Medios AG and NewCo Pharma GmbH was legally signed in November 2021 and the merger was successfully completed in January 2022. This key milestone in Medios’ growth strategy included regional expansion and thus a significant strengthening of the patient care segment with patient-specific therapies, as well as an advance into new […]
The purchase agreement between Medios AG and NewCo Pharma GmbH was legally signed in November 2021 and the merger was successfully completed in January 2022. This key milestone in Medios’ growth strategy included regional expansion and thus a significant strengthening of the patient care segment with patient-specific therapies, as well as an advance into new […]
In March 2021, SAP SE announced the completion of the acquisition of Signavio. Signavio’s products complement parts of SAP’s business process intelligence portfolio and now form SAP’s holistic process transformation portfolio. This makes SAP a leading provider in this area, and SAP customers will benefit from a state-of-the-art end-to-end suite for business process transformation.
Strategy and M&A are closely interlinked at Körber in order to drive the transformation through buy and build. The M&A team sees itself as a driving force, sparring partner and implementation supporter with clear heuristics for the market, strategy and governance.
The M&A Award was launched in 2023 to highlight the successes and positive effects of M&A transactions. Instead of focusing solely on failures, as is often the case, the BMA uses this award to shine a spotlight on outstanding achievements.
Taylor Wessing also received the “Best M&A Legal Advisory” award.
The firm’s venture capital team received the award for advising investors General Catalyst, Lightspeed and Accel on the Series D financing round of AI defense company Helsing.
The transaction exemplifies the growing importance of technology, security and innovation in the European investment environment.
This year’s award in the M&A Legal Advisory category went equally to SCHALAST and Taylor Wessing.
SCHALAST was recognized for its outstanding legal advice to Viessmann Generations Group on the acquisition of ISOPLUS Group – a challenging and strategically significant transaction in the European mid-market.
This enabled the firm to create a solution that combines long-term stability and sustainable growth – a prime example of value-oriented, strategic M&A advice.
KPMG was recognized for its advice on the spin-off of Q.ANT, a company of the TRUMPF Group.
The transaction impressed with its innovative structure, with which a 100% shareholding was converted into a venture capital-eligible model – applying §19a EStG on an unprecedented scale.
A groundbreaking example of structured excellence, tax innovation and strategic foresight in the field of deep-tech M&A.
The AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group was recognized for the acquisition of Toptron Elektronik GmbH – a leading specialist for electronic on-board systems.
The integration of Toptron strengthens AL-KO’s technological expertise and expands its portfolio in the field of intelligent vehicle electronics.
The transaction underlines the company’s consistent growth strategy, which focuses on innovation, sustainability and long-term value creation.
A convincing example of the role of SMEs as drivers of technological transformation and M&A professionalism.
With the acquisition of HENNIG ARZNEIMITTEL GmbH & Co KG, Polifarma S.p.A. realized an exemplary merger of two traditional family businesses.
Both companies – with over 100 years of history – are united by a common set of values, long-term thinking and a high level of entrepreneurial responsibility.
The transaction shows how international succession solutions in the SME sector can succeed when cultural fit and trust are the focus.
A successful example of value-oriented M&A strategies and sustainable growth in the family business segment.
The Most Impactful Deal went to the TRUMPF Group and its subsidiary ANT for the strategic spin-off of a leading provider in the field of photonics and quantum technology.
The transaction marks the dawn of a new technological era and creates the basis for a European innovation ecosystem in key technologies.
With a future-oriented corporate venture structure, a model was created that successfully combines investment, research and market maturity.
The deal stands for technological sovereignty, innovative strength and strategic pioneering work in the European industrial environment.
Deutsche Bahn AG was recognized for managing the planned sale of DB Schenker – one of the most complex transactions in the European M&A market.
The multi-year, publicly tendered process required a balance between economic objectives, political viability and social responsibility.
The aim was to strategically reposition DB Schenker and open up growth prospects through external investors.
The transaction stands for strategic resilience, governance competence and excellent stakeholder management in a highly regulated environment.
sennder Technologies was recognized for its acquisition of C.H. Robinson’s European land transport business – a transaction that took the company to a new level of scale.
By doubling its revenue, volume and number of employees, sennder strengthened its position as Europe’s leading digital logistics service provider.
The integration of two organizations of comparable size within a few months was an extraordinary organizational and cultural achievement.
The deal exemplifies strategic growth, operational excellence and the maturation of European scale-ups in the face of global competition.
With the acquisition of robotics start-up Magazino, Jungheinrich AG demonstrated how successfully industrial strength and start-up innovation can be combined.
The combination of hardware expertise at Jungheinrich and software know-how at Magazino created one of the most powerful European platforms for mobile robotics.
Mutual trust and cultural understanding enabled a smooth integration and created the basis for sustainable growth.
The transaction is considered a reference for the successful symbiosis of group and start-up in the European M&A market.
Körber AG was recognized for its outstanding M&A playbook, which is considered a benchmark for strategically planned growth programs.
Through a stringent series of acquisitions and partnerships – from leading warehouse management solutions to the acquisitions of Envista and MercuryGate – Körber has built an integrated supply chain technology ecosystem.
The partnership with KKR in 2022 marked a decisive step towards further internationalization and scaling.
The Körber Playbook exemplifies strategic foresight, operational excellence and sustainable value creation in corporate M&A.
The LEBENSWERK Award went to Max H.-H. Schaber, founder and long-standing CEO of DATAGROUP SE.
His entrepreneurial pioneering spirit, his clarity of action and his responsible, sustainable growth were honored. Schaber has shaped the German IT and SME market for decades – with a clear vision, consistent implementation and a great sense of responsibility towards employees, customers and society.
With his life’s work, Max H.-H. Schaber is an example of entrepreneurial foresight, integrity and M&A expertise with attitude
With over 300 members and more than 40 events a year, the German Mergers & Acquisitions Association (BMA) is the central platform for M&A experts in Germany. The association promotes the exchange of knowledge, connects experts and companies and offers a strong voice for the industry.
Take advantage of our network, exclusive offers and diverse opportunities, such as specialist events and studies, to expand your knowledge and make contacts with leading minds in the industry.
Become part of the community and actively shape the future of M&A. Find out more about our memberships now!
