AI Magazine Issue 1 2018

48 Acquisition International - Issue 1 2018 Lugna is a transaction-focused boutique firm that advises companies operating in traditional and non-traditional financial sectors. We spoke to João Gil Figueira as we look to find out more about the company and its success. ugna provides international business leverage to national corporations and entrepreneurs. The FinTech department at the company now advises corporations which are expanding worldwide. In 2017, Lugna advised on several Cryptocurrency based projects, such as leading Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) worldwide, with a particular focus on regulatory and corporate structuring matters. Offering a variety of services, Lugna provides practical and strategic advice to investors of all sizes in a new type of asset class. For private clients, Lugna provides structuring, due diligence and contract/document review services to avoid red-flags and pitfalls in cryptocurrency related investments or joint ventures. In addition to working for clients in the Cryptocurrency and Fintech sectors, Lugna’s practice also encompasses other investment related matters, tax, corporate restructuring, business model optimisation, private client advisory and business immigration. João tells us about the typical clients that the company works with, including individuals and other such companies, before going on to explain the firm’s overall aims and describing what techniques the company will employ in order to reach its targets. “Lugna’s clients include individuals, private and public enterprises, governmental agencies and non-profit organisations at all stages of the business life cycle. “Embedded in the company culture is the company’s vision. Our overall mission is to provide relevant advice for our clients by staying attentive to new developments in high value-added industries.” Integral to the success of Lugna are the staff who work within the company, and João emphasises the importance of his staff to the future of the firm. A great team ethic and an ability to predict and Company: Lugna Contact: João Gil Figueira Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca 9 - 3ºB, 1250-189 Lisboa, Portugal Phone: +351 21 131 04 08 Website: www.lugna.pt TraditioninInnovation L 1801AI68 monitor certain trends helps the company stay ahead of any developments within the industry, helping them to establish themselves as one of the leading advisory firms in the financial market. “Regarding our achievements, our team is central to the firm’s success. Moving forward, the firm will be looking to build upon this by maintaining a great team, and work to ensure that it remains at the forefront of the latest industry developments. Preventing problems through regular interaction and open communication positions our clients for growth. “Furthermore, we continuously monitor the legal and business arenas to identify opportunities or challenges and provide prudent and tactical advice to clients.” Having touched on the thriving work environment, João goes into more detail about the internal culture within Lugna, highlighting every member of staff’s diverse skillset and innovative mindsets as major influences in the firm’s success. “Lugna is composed of highly skilled advisors and lawyers, most of whom have previously worked in Big Four firms or in international law firms and are members of the Academia. “Diversity is part of the firm’s culture in selecting staff and designing workflow processes. Expertise and backgrounds are diverse and staff members from one team are expected to develop new skills by working together with members from other teams. We rely on multidisciplinary and a bespoke approach to each project.” Alongside a thriving working environment, there are many other factors which contribute to the success of Lugna. João comments on what differentiates the firm from its competitors, citing its niche practice areas in which employees gain experience that many other firms would not necessarily focus on. “When separating ourselves from our competitors, we differentiate by looking into niche practice areas and gaining expertise where most practitioners are not comfortable in. “During the last two years, we have invested into the FinTech sector to complement other practises, such as Tax and Corporate. Other niche practises include cross border M&A issues, or comprehensive “...we continuously monitor the legal and business arenas to identify opportunities or challenges and provide prudent and tactical advice to clients.”