Achievements
For the past 20 years, Relians has distinguished itself in multi-dimensional strategic operations.
Achievements
TRANSFER OF A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE FRENCH STATE
In 2024, Relians acted as the strategic and institutional advisor to Nokia in the transfer of ASN (Alcatel Submarine Network) to the State Investment Agency (APE), representing the French government (enterprise value of 350 million euros). ASN is one of the three global leaders in submarine cables for high-speed internet and oversees the entire value chain (R&T, R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance). With over 800,000 km of submarine optical cables laid worldwide, ASN generates annual revenues exceeding one billion euros.
In collaboration with top management (M&A, Public Affairs, and Legal), Relians managed institutional issues over a three-year period and led the strategy (Presidency of the Republic, Prime Minister’s Office (SGDSN), and the Ministry of Economy and Finance), alongside financial advisors (BNP) and legal advisors (Skadden)
Relians has primarily applied its expertise in strategic and institutional diagnostics, transaction structuring, and conducting institutional dialogue
Achievements
Acquisition of a French company operating in a strategic sector by a foreign investor
As part of the sale of a French industrial company by a major American investment fund, Relians played a key role in securing investment authorization under France’s foreign investment (IEF) procedure, as outlined in Article L151-3 of the Monetary and Financial Code. This authorization, essential for the transaction, was granted to the new buyer by the Ministry of the Economy.
The project involved assessing the strategic nature of the target company, a manufacturer of axles for military vehicles, to determine if it held national defense significance. In addition, the team aimed to expedite the initial two-month review period to ensure the sale was included in the seller’s current fiscal year. Given the urgency and specific regulatory requirements, meeting these objectives within the constraints of a protected sector and tight timeline was challenging but critical.
Relians effectively applied its expertise in strategic assessments and institutional dialogue to streamline this complex process. Their work enabled the seller to complete the transaction within the desired timeframe, overcoming both sector-specific protections and calendar deadlines. Ultimately, Relians successfully helped navigate the rigorous regulatory landscape, achieving full compliance and timely approval while aligning with the client’s financial and strategic objectives.
Relians primarily leveraged its expertise in the field of foreign investment control in France, focusing on strategic and institutional diagnostics and conducting institutional dialogue.
Achievements
Removal of tax on high-potential technology
Relians played a significant role on behalf of one of its clients, a satellite dish manufacturer, in the removal of the tax on satellite dishes.
In a particularly constrained institutional context—considering that reviewing a finance bill is one of the most procedurally regulated exercises in the legislative process—our expertise in building a majority in support of satellite-based high-speed internet access helped to persuade both lawmakers and the government of the need to eliminate fiscal barriers to this development. This included the repeal of the tax on satellite internet reception dishes.
Relians primarily applied its expertise in lobbying, institutional communication, and conducting institutional dialogue.
Achievements
Promotion of a technology within the framework of a government bill
As part of the review of the Internet Regulation Bill, Relians enabled the recognition by public authorities of a Californian startup’s technology as a credible tool for identifying and recognizing illegal files downloaded from the Internet.
Promoting a narrative that established the technical feasibility of such a tool allowed public authorities to make decisions aligned with their objectives rather than being restricted by a limited range of technological options. This perspective was reflected in the Hadopi legislation, which included provisions on technological compatibility that the future authority should use in implementing tools to identify and manage illegally downloaded files.
Relians primarily applied its expertise in lobbying, institutional communication, and conducting institutional dialogue.