Osborne Clarke advises Tracsis plc on acquisition of digital ticketing specialist Vesputi GmbH

Osborne Clarke has provided legal advice to UK transport technology group Tracsis plc on the acquisition of all shares in Vesputi GmbH. Vesputi, based in Leipzig, is a technology provider specialising in digital ticketing and operator of the Mobilitybox platform.

With the acquisition, Tracsis secures strategic access to the complex German public transport market and expands its presence in the European market for digital mobility solutions. Vesputi will be integrated into Tracsis’ Rail Technology & Services Division, where it will complement the existing range of software solutions for the rail and public transport sector.

At the heart of the acquisition is the Mobilitybox platform developed by Vesputi. Mobilitybox helps public transport operators make official tickets available inside third party applications, including travel portals, city apps, mobility platforms and other digital services passengers already use. Through a standardised API and ticketing backend, Mobilitybox connects transport operators with third party providers without requiring separate interfaces to be developed and maintained for each individual transport association. 

For Tracsis, the transaction represents a targeted expansion of its ticketing and digital mobility capabilities in Europe. Vesputi’s existing business model builds on Tracsis’ software and ticketing expertise in the UK market and can be integrated into the Group’s international growth strategy. The Vesputi team, including the founding shareholders, will remain on board and will drive the scaling of the platform from Germany in future. With the support of Tracsis, the Mobilitybox platform is to be gradually rolled out to additional transport associations and regions.

Osborne Clarke provided Tracsis with comprehensive advice in connection with the acquisition of Vesputi GmbH. The advice covered in particular the structuring of the cross-border share deal and the negotiation of the transaction documentation.

“The acquisition of Vesputi shows how international technology providers prepare market entry into regulated mobility markets through targeted bolt-on acquisitions – with locally rooted technology, existing customer relationships and a clearly scalable business model,” says Dr Philipp Reeb, Partner at Osborne Clarke.

The Osborne Clarke team that advised Tracsis, led by Dr Philipp Reeb, comprised Alexandra Nautsch and Lisa Gerards (all M&A), David Hamala (Corporate), Dr Timo Karsten, Johanna Reiland and Karin Sültrop (all Employment), Dr Sebastian Hack, Lea Hauser (both Competition), Dr Florian Reiling (IP) and Florian Merkle (Tax).