Lewis Silkin has advised FuturLab on its sale to Miniclip
12 April 2024
Lewis Silkin has advised the founders of FuturLab, the award-winning independent game studio behind PowerWash Simulator on its sale to Miniclip, an international digital games and entertainment company.
Founded in 2003, FuturLab is the UK indie game studio behind the award-winning smash-hit PowerWash Simulator, as well as the Velocity series, Peaky Blinders Mastermind and other titles.
Following the renowned success of PowerWash Simulator, FuturLab has become a genre leader and pioneer in the flourishing market for ‘games that soothe’. This strategic move aligns with their mission to create universally soothing games and is in perfect step with Miniclip’s goal to ‘unleash the gamer in everyone’.
Lewis Silkin’s deal team was led by Corporate Partner Karish Andrews alongside Joe Lythgoe, Senior Associate; Ayesha Chanda, Associate; and Liam Mayet, Trainee. The Corporate team was supported by Matthew Rowbotham, Corporate Tax Partner; Emma McGrory, Senior Tax Associate; Kathy Granby, Incentives Partner; Michael Birchall, Tax Associate; and David Lorimer, Employment Partner.
Lewis Silkin worked closely with advisors Felix Wong and Steve Tinkler from Lvl Up Partners, as well as Matthew Short, Anjan Sarangi and Mariam Mirzaianova from Aream & Co.
Karish Andrews commented:
It was a real pleasure to advise Kirsty and the FuturLab team on such a significant deal. We always love being involved with innovative transactions, and the marriage of FuturLab’s soothing genre with Miniclip’s step into PC/Console is just that. Combining our M&A experience with our gaming expertise, and working with such creative and fun clients, made the deal even more satisfying.
Kirsty Rigden, FuturLab CEO, commented:
I'm so grateful to the team at Lewis Silkin for all that they did during the acquisition. Working with their excellent and approachable team helped make the experience incredibly smooth and reassuring. The team worked above and beyond to push things forward, providing clear and un-jargon-led feedback and practical and sound advice; they were also lovely and empathetic.
Felix Wong from Lvl Up Partners, who acted as FuturLab’s in-house counsel, said:
Lewis Silkin’s Corporate and Interactive Entertainment teams were fantastic to work with on the transaction. Everyone on the team was responsive, pragmatic and meticulous in their advice. I look forward to working with them again.