DLA Piper represents private equity firm in Controlled Environment Agriculture investment

DLA Piper represented LLR Partners, a Philadelphia-based private equity firm, in its investment in and combination of AgriNomix and Zwart Systems, two leaders in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) automation sector. The combined businesses, operating as a part of AdeptAg, will help professional growers maximize their yields and productivity through automation and irrigation solutions.

LLR’s investment in AdeptAg will expand the company’s capabilities and empower them to pursue additional acquisitions of best-in-class technology and solutions for controlled-environment growers. Additionally, AdeptAg will be able to partner with each grower to develop the best automation and production plan for their crop variety, stage, and environment.

“DLA Piper was instrumental in getting this investment over the finish line,” said Jesse Gray at LLR Partners. “Our shared interest in addressing a sector adversely impacted by climate change created a strong deal that will be pivotal to reshaping our food supply.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside LLR Partners in this important investment,” said Eric Grossman, vice chair of DLA Piper’s Private Equity Group and lead partner on the deal. “Their commitment to improving agricultural systems will be a huge benefit to individual growers and society at large.”

In addition to Grossman (Northern Virginia), the DLA Piper team was led by partners Thomas Hendershot (Northern Virginia), Guy Flynn (Baltimore) and Stacy Paz (Silicon Valley); of counsel Isabel De Obaldia (Northern Virginia) and Todd Mobley (Dallas); and associates Stephen Truban and Catherine Thomas (both of Washington, DC) and Breegan Mayrant (Dallas).

With more than 100 US lawyers who provide strategic counsel to private equity funds and their industry-leading portfolio companies, DLA Piper’s Private Equity practice has the capacity, experience and relationships to help drive value across the investment life cycle by delivering responsive, efficient and integrated solutions around the world.