M&A Advisory
K&L Gates
Full Credential Description
K&L Gates advised Leonardo Interactive Pty Ltd (Leonardo.ai), a generative AI company, on its sale to Canva, Inc., a leading global graphic design platform. Leonardo.ai faced the challenge of scaling its innovative platform, which allows users to generate complex visual assets, while seeking a strategic partner to enhance its growth trajectory. The acquisition by Canva, recognized as Australia’s largest private technology company, was a strategic move to leverage Leonardo.ai's advanced foundational models and its team of 120 researchers, engineers, and designers. The tailored solution provided by K&L Gates involved assembling a cross-border M&A team that included expertise from their Emerging Growth/Venture Capital and Tax practices. This collaborative approach was crucial in navigating the complexities of the transaction, particularly in structuring the deal to meet both Australian and US legal requirements. The firm successfully facilitated an accelerated process, completing the transaction in record time, which was essential for Leonardo.ai to capitalize on the opportunity with Canva. As a result of this acquisition, Leonardo.ai is positioned to significantly accelerate its growth with the backing of Canva, enhancing its mission to democratize creativity through generative AI. The partnership is expected to provide Leonardo.ai with the resources and support necessary to expand its platform and reach a broader audience, ultimately driving innovation in the graphic design space.