Insights, News/27 May 2026

Borenius’ New York Newsletter – Deal Activity Between the United States and Finland Is on the Rise

Deal Activity Between the United States and Finland Is on the Rise

Cross-border deal activity between the United States and Finland has seen a marked increase recently, driven by a surge in transactions and strategic partnerships across the technology sector. This increase has seen Borenius advise on several landmark transactions between the United States and Finland, including the first listing transaction of a European quantum company, IQM Quantum Computers. Our most recent work showcases the firm’s market-leading cross-border capabilities (Chambers Band 1) and further solidifies our position as the go-to firm for the most demanding high-stakes transactions between the United States and Finland.

Our Latest Work

We advise IQM, an Espoo, Finland-headquartered globally leading quantum computing company, on its business combination with Real Asset Acquisition Corp., private placement and listing of American Depositary Shares on a major U.S. stock exchange.

The business combination values IQM at a pre-money equity valuation of approximately USD 1.8 billion and makes IQM the first European quantum company to go public. IQM is also considering a dual listing on the Helsinki stock exchange, which is expected to take place following the completion of the transaction.

The transaction provides funding with the aim to accelerate IQM’s technology and commercial development towards fault-tolerant quantum computing, further advancing its position as a leading provider of quantum computers.

Pavel Koivistoinen Starts Assisting Borenius' New York Team as External Law Clerk

Pavel brings extensive experience in cross-border corporate work, compliance, and investigations, with a strong focus on U.S. regulatory regimes affecting Nordic and European companies. He has advised multinational clients on compliance remediation, internal investigations, and M&A related risk assessments involving the U.S. Department of Justice and the SEC.

Pavel will support our New York team and cross-border client work, particularly in matters involving U.S. regulatory exposure, contracts, transactions, and compliance-driven advisory.

“I’ve felt very warmly welcomed by the Borenius team, and I’ve been impressed by how helpful, collaborative, and approachable everyone has been from day one. It has been a real pleasure to tackle our clients’ challenges together with colleagues across tax, litigation, privacy, and transactions, and to work as one truly integrated team,” says Pavel.

Our Upcoming Events in New York

May 28, 2026 – Nordic M&A Lunch Seminar | Overview of the thriving Nordic defense, technology and AI industries – including dual-use sectors – and related in- and outbound investment opportunities.

June 2, 2026 – Nordic AI Luncheon | Nordic AI industry is blossoming! Come meet highly innovative founders and AI investors from both Nordics and New York.

June 4, 2026 – IBA New York Summer Drinks | Join us after the IBA’s International M&A Conference for a relaxed evening of informal networking with corporate lawyers from around the world.

From New York to Silicon Valley: A Profile of Borenius Associate Aleksi Nikkanen

My legal career took a decisive turn when Borenius appointed me as the firm's first-ever summer associate in New York, an experience that proved truly transformative for the years that followed. The interactions with senior legal professionals during my time in New York opened my eyes to the depth of U.S. corporate law and its far-reaching influence on cross-border transactions. Combined with my subsequent work on Borenius' private and public M&A and capital markets transactions, these experiences have led me to pursue an LL.M. degree at Stanford Law School starting next autumn.

Borenius has given me the opportunity to develop my core interests in transactional legal practice and to work on high-profile domestic and cross-border transactions. Working as a transactional lawyer at a top-tier firm with over a century of history suits me perfectly, as it constantly requires balancing rigorous legal analysis with commercial realities across multiple jurisdictions. Now, as I prepare to return to the United States, the excitement is hard to overstate. Stanford’s corporate governance program specializes in corporate governance and transactional practice, bringing together a select global cohort of around 20 students. The school sits at the very epicentre of Silicon Valley, where many of the innovations reshaping the corporate world are born, and it is hard to imagine a better place to deepen my understanding of the future of transactional work.

The profound influence of U.S. corporate legislation on cross-border investments into Finland, and the opportunity to strengthen the Nordic legal framework through comparative insights, have only deepened my motivation to immerse myself in U.S. law at a leading legal institution. I look forward to bringing that transatlantic perspective back to Borenius and the clients we serve.

A Duke LL.M. That Changed How I Think About Law

Our partner Heidi Malmberg completed her LL.M. degree at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, in 2008. Below, she reflects on the program and its lasting impact on her legal thinking and practice.

What initially motivated you to pursue postgraduate legal studies?

Shortly after graduating from law school in Finland, I decided to challenge myself by sitting the New York Bar. Coming from a civil law background, I knew this would be demanding, but that challenge was precisely what motivated me to pursue postgraduate studies in the United States.

I chose Duke after comparing leading law schools. Its strength in environmental and natural resources law stood out, offering an opportunity to deepen my expertise rather than revisit familiar topics. Ultimately, the program exceeded my expectations.

How would you describe the LL.M. program and the education you received at the time?

Duke is the kind of place that gets under your skin. The campus pulses with a singular obsession with excellence – both in the lecture hall and on the basketball court. Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils inspired unmatched fervor, with students camping in “Krzyzewskiville” to secure tickets to the iconic Duke–UNC “Battle of the Blues,” when the campus turns a very deliberate shade of Duke blue.

That same drive was reflected in the learning environment: small class sizes, highly engaged professors and excellent library support created the foundation for a world-class legal education. As an environmental lawyer, I had the opportunity to study under leading scholars whose work has shaped modern environmental, constitutional and corporate law. These studies continue to influence how I approach legal thinking and problem-solving.

What have been the key benefits of your LL.M. degree in your career?

The benefits have been both practical and personal. At Borenius, working with multinational clients and common law trained counsel is significantly easier thanks to my understanding of common law reasoning and property law concepts.

Perhaps the most lasting influence has been the Socratic method, which reshaped how I analyze legal issues and mentor younger lawyers today. Over the years, I have also connected with fellow Duke alumni in professional settings, sharing a lasting connection to the university.

For everything ahead – Forever Duke.