GESSEL advised Zabala Innovation on the acquisition of a majority stake in ECDF Dotacje and ECDF Rozwój

GESSEL advised Zabala Innovation Consulting S.A., a leading international consultancy specialising in innovation strategy and research, development and innovation financing, on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Polish companies ECDF Dotacje and ECDF Rozwój. The transaction marked Zabala Innovation’s entry into the Polish market and represented the latest step in its international expansion into Central and Eastern Europe.

Established in Spain in 1986, Zabala Innovation has consistently pursued an international growth strategy. The transaction combined the group’s international reach and experience with the expertise and strong local market position of the ECDF Group, one of Poland’s longest established grants advisory firms. Operating since 2003, the ECDF Group has provided comprehensive support to businesses, local government units, healthcare institutions and educational entities in securing funding from European Funds. The combination created new growth opportunities and an enhanced service offering for clients in Poland.

“We thank the Zabala Innovation Consulting deal team, particularly Ainhoa Zabala, Corporate Chief Executive Officer, Erik Zabala, Business Chief Executive Officer, and Ramón Vallés, Director of International Corporate Development, for their trust and excellent collaboration throughout the transaction process. Congratulations to Zabala Innovation on reaching another important milestone in its development strategy,” said Karol Sokół, Partner at GESSEL.

Saski Partners acted as transaction advisor to Zabala Innovation, BSK Legal & Fiscal acted as its Spanish legal advisor, and Thedy & Partners provided financial and tax advice. The sellers received legal advice from Sobczyńscy i Partnerzy | FSG Prawo and transaction advice from FSG Biznes.