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We certainly are very proud of this culmination for our year. It remains though, that the most important award to us is our clients’ satisfaction, and we shall strive to keep providing them with the best tailor-made services.
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- Rami Smayra, Attorney at Law at Smayra Law Office
Dubai has transformed itself into a broadly diversified economy based on international trade, banking, tourism, real estate and manufacturing. To attract international business it has invested heavily in its transport, telecommunications, energy and industrial infrastructure. - John Hanafin, CEO of Sovereign Middle East
INTERNATIONAL START-UP ADVISORY AWARDS 2013
FOREWORD Welcome to the Acquisition International 2013 International Start-Up Advisory Awards 2012 was an undoubtedly an exciting and challenging year for all businesses, and none more so than new startups. Figures revealed by StartUp Britain indicate that it was a record breaking year for Britain, with start-up businesses up by almost 10%. Research by the national enterprise campaign showed that 484,224 businesses were started, compared to 440,600 in 2011. In the US however, the rate of business launches dropped slightly in 2012 compared with 2011, according to a report released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. There were 514,000 new business owners per month in 2012 compared with 543,000 the previous year -- or about 29,000 fewer start-ups launching each month. No matter the economic climate, the region or the sector, it is essential for start-ups to seek the right advisors to provide them with the expertise they require. The Acquisition International Start-Up Advisory Awards celebrate excellence within the advisory profession. These prestigious international awards recognise the advisory firms, teams and rising stars of tomorrow for their contribution to client service and for their experience and skills across key practice areas and sectors. In recognition and celebration of these individuals and organisations, Acquisition International is delighted to present our Start-Up Advisory Awards winners. Our awards recognise leaders in their respective fields and, crucially, are nominated by their clients, their professional relationships and their peers. The winners’ ingenuity and hard work have distinguished them from their competitors and proven them worthy of recognition. Read on to find out who made the cut and what it takes to be an Acquisition International award winner.
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INTERNATIONAL START-UP ADVISORY AWARDS 2013 Winners List
And the winners Albania ERG Managerial Australia Norton Rose Austria Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Likar Bangladesh Doulah & Doulah Advocates Belarus Revera Consulting Group Belgium Federal Public Service Finance Bolivia Bufete Aguirre Soc. Civ. Corporative Law Bolivia Consultores Asociados Ferrere Abogados Brazil Gouvêa Vieira Advogados KLA-Koury Lopes Advogados Bulgaria Boyanov & Co. Legalex Chile Albagli Zaliasnik Abogados Urenda, Rencoret, Orrego y Dörr Colombia Cavelier Abogados Daniel Rothstein Parra, Rodríguez & Cavelier S.A.S. Congo (Democratic Rep) YAV & ASSOCIATES MULAMBA and ASSOCIATES Law Firm Costa Rica ACZALAW ACZALAW Ignacio Beirute Croatia Divjak, Topić & Bahtijarević
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Albanian Business Support Services Firm of the Year Australian Insolvency Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups Austrian Company Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Bangladesh Start Up Investor Protection Advisory Firm of the Year - Belarus Belgian Start Up Credit Advisory Firm of the Year Bolivian Company Formations Law Firm of the Year Bolivian Company Formations Law Firm of the Year Bolivian Cross Border Incorporation Law Firm of the Year Brazilian Start Up Employment Law Firm of the Year Brazilian Start Up Administrative Law Firm of the Year Bulgarian Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Bulgarian Start Up Land and Building Law Firm of the Year Chillean Land & Building Law Firm of the Year Chilean Start Up Labour Law Firm of the Year Columbian Start Up Public Law Firm of the Year Columbian Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Columbian Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Start Up Incorporation Firm of the Year - Democratic Republic of Congo Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Costa Rican Start Up Contract Enforcement Law Firm of the Year Costa Rican Start Up Intellectual Property Advisory Firm of the Year Costa Rican Company Formations Firm of the Year Croatian Land and Building Law Firm of the Year
Cyprus Papacharalambous & Angelides LLC Czech Republic GÜRLICH &Co. Advokátní kancelář Squire Sanders East Timor CRA Timor Estonia PwC Estonia Germany PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG (Hamburg) Greece Harry Stamelos Law Office and Partners Guinea-Bissau MC&A - Sociedade de Advogados, RL Hong Kong Deacons Hungary Cseri & Partners Law Firm Iceland CATO Lögmenn India Global Jurix Neeraj Bhagat & Co. Nishith Desai Associates Rajkishore Associates SAPCLE Technologies FZE Seth Associates Singhi Chugh & Kumar
Cypriot Start Up Administration Law Firm of the Year Start Up Civil Codes Advisory Firm of the Year- Czech Republic Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Czech Republic Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Easr Timor Estonian Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year German Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Greek Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Start Up Trade Law Firm of the Year - Guinea-Bissau Company Formation Firm of the Year - Hong Kong Hungarian Labour Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Icelandic Insolvency Law Firm of the Year Indian Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Overall Company Formation Firm of the Year - Start Up Overall Company Formation Firm of the Year - Start Up Indian Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Indian Company Formation Firm of the Year Indian Trade Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups Most Trusted Company Formation Firm of the Year - India
Isle of Man Mann Benham Advocates Limited
Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year
Israel Heskia-Hacmun Law Firm
Israeli Collateral Law Firm of the Year
Italy Colonnelli de Gasperis Studio Legale Giambrone Law Giambrone Law Nunziante Magrone Japan Davis & Takahashi
Italian Start Up Advisory Firm of the Year Italian Cross Border Litigation Law Firm of the Year Italian Cross Border Trade Law Firm of the Year Italian Company Law Firm of the Year Japanese Cross Border Finance Firm of the Year - Start Up
INTERNATIONAL START-UP ADVISORY AWARDS 2013 Winners List
are ... Lebanon Law Office of A. Abboud & Associates Smayra Law Office Smayra Law Office Macedonia Cakmakova Advocates Madagascar KPMG Malta Dr Kris Borg & Associates – Advocates Fenech & Fenech Advocates Fenech & Fenech Advocates Mauritania Cheikhany Jules Law Office Mexico JATA – J.A. Treviño Abogados Miranda & Estavillo, S.C. PwC Mexico Morocco Juristructures LLP Juristructures LLP NERO Boutique Law Firm Nepal KTO Inc. KTO Inc. Nicaragua Alvarado y Asociados G. Jose Bendaña Guerrero Nigeria Abike Chambers Legal Practitioners & Consultants CRC Credit Bureau Limited Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors Stillwaters Law Firm Stillwaters Law Firm Pakistan Law Firm Irfan M. Halepota Poland DLA Piper Wiater sp.k.
Most Trusted Lebanese Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Lebanon Most Trusted Lebanese Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Macedonian Foreign Investment Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups Madagascan Start Up Advisory Firm of the Year Maltese Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Maltese Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Maltese Company Formations Firm of the Year Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Mauritania Mexican Contract Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Mexican Company Formations Firm of the Year Mexican Start Up Legal & Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Moroccan Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Moroccan Company Formation Firm of the Year Moroccan Labour Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Nepalese Company Formations Firm of the Year Nepalese Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year Labour Law Firm of the Year - Nicaragua Land And Building Law Firm of the Year - Nicaragua Nigerian Start Up Advisory Chambers of the Year Nigerian Start Up Credit Advisory Firm of the Year Start Up Regulation Advisory Firm of the Year - Nigeria Nigerian Contract Enforcement Firm of the Year Start Up Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year – Nigeria Pakistani Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Start Up Incorporation Advisory Firm of the Year - Poland
Portugal Abrantes Advogados Luis Miguel Amaral - Advogados / Lawyers Luis Miguel Amaral - Advogados / Lawyers Raposo Bernardo Raposo Bernardo Slovenia Schoenherr
Sri Lanka Julius & Creasy Julius & Creasy SJMS Associates Switzeland Dubler Rechtsanwälte / Attorneys At Law Taiwan Eiger Law Eiger Law LCS & Partners Tanzania LEXGLOBE LLP Tanzania The Netherlands RuudTusveld Tonga Fungateiki Law Office Turkey Bezen & Partners Destek Patent Inc. UAE Sovereign Corporate Services JLT UK Adbell International Limited Ukraine ILF Integrites Lavrynovych & Partners USA Bierce & Kenerson, P.C. Duty, P.L. Morrison Cohen LLP The Cornell Group, Inc. Zimbabwe Mawere & Sibanda Legal Practitioners
Portuguese Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Portuguese Civil Law Firm of the Year Portuguese Company Formations Firm of the Year Portuguese Securities Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Portuguese Trade Law Firm of the Year - Start Up Slovenian Start Up Regulation Law Firm of the Year
Sri Lankan Foreign Direct Investment Advisory Firm of the Year Sri Lankan Business Advisory Firm of the Year Sri Lankan Business Advisory Firm of the Year Swiss Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Taiwanese Property Registration Law Firm of the Year Taiwanese Labour Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Taiwan Company Formations Firm of the Year - Tanzania Dutch Customs & Global Trade Firm of the Year Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year Turkish Trade Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups Turkish Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year UAE Company Formations Firm of the Year Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year - UK Securities Law Firm of the Year - Ukraine Most Trusted Law Firm Supporting Start Ups in the Ukraine US Law Firm of the Year - Supporting Start Ups US entrepreneurial Strategy Firm of the Year US Securities Law Firm of the Year US Contract Enforcement Law Firm of the Year Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Zimbabwe
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Professionalism
Flexibility
Credibility
Personal Approach WELCOME TO ATTORNEY-AT-LAW OFFICE GĂœRLICH & Co.
www.akrg.cz
INTERNATIONAL START-UP ADVISORY AWARDS 2013
UAE Company Formations Firm of the Year
Sovereign Corporate Service JLT
Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------John Hanafin is the CEO of Sovereign Middle East. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sovereign Corporate Services JLT has been licensed in Dubai since 1998 and is now one of the largest corporate services providers operating in the Middle East. We are a registered agent for the free zones of Dubai, including Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Jebel Ali and have further expanded our presence in the Gulf States by opening offices in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The Sovereign Group’s core business is setting up and managing companies, trusts and other compliant structures to meet the specific personal or business needs of its clients. Typically these would include tax planning, wealth management, succession planning, foreign property ownership and facilitating crossborder business. Dubai has transformed itself into a broadly diversified economy based on international trade, banking, tourism, real estate and manufacturing. To attract international business it has invested heavily in its transport, telecommunications, energy and industrial infrastructure. It has seven industrial areas, one business park and three specialised free zones, two world class seaports, and a major international airport and cargo village. There are no income or capital taxes in Dubai, except for oil and domestic banking, and no withholding tax. Companies in Dubai can obtain further significant
advantages from the absence of foreign exchange controls, trade barriers or quotas. The UAE has a number of double tax treaties with high-tax countries, giving investors an extensive choice of markets for a diverse portfolio of goods and services. The UAE Dirham (AED), which is fully convertible, is pegged to the US dollar.
A free zone company will typically operate under one, or more, of four licence categories: commercial, general trading, industrial or service. Free zone registrations do not require a local sponsor but companies that wish to sell goods or services within the UAE must pay 5% duty and appoint a local service agent. Overseas sales are free of any duty.
Dubai’s historically high real estate costs have undergone a correction and are currently competitive. The asset boom and the vast increase in private and institutional wealth in the region have created a huge demand for specialist financial services.
The first Sovereign office opened in Gibraltar in 1987 and the Group now has offices in over 25 international finance centres worldwide. Through our subsidiaries we also provide a full range of ancillary wealth management services covering asset management, accountancy, insurance, marine, aviation, and international pension schemes and transfers.
A limited liability company (LLC) is the most common vehicle in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and is recommended where the purpose is to make retail sales within the region. It should be noted that 100% foreign ownership of such an entity is not permitted in the UAE except for non-trading branches and representative offices of foreign companies and provided that a local agent is appointed. Free Zone registration is an alternative option. This will also enable 100% foreign ownership and is often more cost effective. The UAE now boasts many free zones including: the Jebel Ali Free Zone (which was the first); Dubai International Airport Free Zone; Dubai Internet City; Dubai Media City; Sharjah Airport International Free Zone; Ajman Free Zone; and the Ras Al Kaimah Free Trade Zone.
Company: Sovereign Corporate Services JLT Name: John Hanafin Email: jhanafin@sovereigngroup.com Web: www.sovereigngroup.com Address: Suite 801, Reef Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 4 448 6010 Fax: +971 4 448 6011
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Rajkishore Associates is a full service law firm specializing in corporate law and procedures of the Indian Legal System and businesses. As a professional law firm, the firm assists clients entering the Indian market, advising them on the most efficient market entry strategy and tax efficient structure. The firm specializes in Joint ventures, Foreign Collaborations, Technology transfers, Trademark, Copyright & Designs, Mergers and Acquisitions, Information Technology, Capital Market Transactions, Project Finance, Real Estate and Intellectual Property Laws. The firm renders specialized advice on all aspects of company law and provides day-to-day corporate compliance services.
www.rajkishoreassociates.com
Indian Start Up Tax Advisory Firm of the Year
INTERNATIONAL START-UP ADVISORY AWARDS 2013
Start Up Legal Advisory Firm of the Year - Lebanon
Smayra Law Office -----------------------------------------------------------------------Rami Smayra is an Attorney at Law at Smayra Law Office. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smayra Law Office is a Lebanese law firm founded in 1970. The firm has in-depth expertise in banking, commercial, corporate, finance, natural resources, real estate, and tax law. “Our knowledge of the law and the industries we serve, our sensibility to local and international considerations, our pragmatism, and our individualised counselling have earned us a reputation for crafting innovative solutions, as well as thriving in complex transactions and intricate disputes,” said Mr Smayra. He describes 2012 as a great year for the firm, noting that it worked on a number of inspiring and challenging projects. He added that receiving the award is the “cherry on the cake”. “We certainly are very proud of this culmination for our year. It remains though, that the most important award to us is our clients’ satisfaction, and we shall strive to keep providing them with the best tailor-made services.” Mr Smayra stated that working with start-ups is frequently a very rewarding experience. One of the firm’s highlights of 2012 relates to receiving feedback about the market’s positive reaction to a product developed by one of the start-ups it advised, and then “sensing the overwhelming joy of the people involved”. “I once read that challenging times are the best times to start a business, and in fact, despite the difficult political
and economic conjuncture in Lebanon, we witnessed a surge in promising start-ups during 2012.” “It is still work in progress, but I am particularly impressed with an electronic development relating to payment processing, which I hope will meet its fullest potential,” added Mr Smayra. While there are no specific emerging trends that Mr Smayra can highlight, he noted that Lebanon has a large talent pool in the IT sector, and he highly encourages their incubation, support and promotion. “We have had the opportunity to work with brilliant, creative and motivated talent creating cuttingedge projects,” he continued. “As a result, we believe that spending time with the people involved and understanding the start-up’s field are key to advising. This requires a high degree of skill, polyvalence, patience, prudence, foresight and intricate counselling. In fact, advising start-ups is rarely confined to a particular area of law and requires the involvement of a complementary team specialised in different areas of the law. As such, as a firm, we firmly believe that teamwork is crucial to advising start-ups and we continuously foster this belief.” In order to ensure 2013 is another successful year, the firm is constantly solidifying its knowledge of the industries it serves and learning about new ones. “Also, start-up advisory is only one part of our expertise, and we employ all our resources to ensure the same level of skill, knowledge, diligence and care in each of our practices,” added Mr Smayra.
Looking ahead, given the recent regional developments, as well as the discovery of gas fields off the shores of Lebanon, Mr Smayra noted that a substantial growth in opportunities is expected in Lebanon. “As a result, we are developing our practices to cater to those opportunities. In doing so, we focus on maintaining an organic growth that allows us to continue providing our clients with the same level of individualised services we currently provide.” He concluded: “First and foremost, I would like to thank Acquisition International Magazine for the great magazine they publish. I would also like to thank them for this award and for highlighting a little known market that has a big potential, especially in the quality of its brain power that, for a long time, has had a considerable influence on the MENA region.”
Company: Smayra Law Office Name: Rami Smayra Email: rami.smayra@smayralaw.com Web: www.smayralaw.com Address: Hamra, Makdessi Str., Arab Bank Bldg., Beirut, Lebanon Telephone: +961-1-350771
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