HFW advises CWS on €12m fundraising to industrialise its wind propulsion wings for large vessels

Global, sector focussed law firm HFW has advised CWS (Computed Wing Sails), its founders and management in the €12 million fundraising from Supernova Invest, Bpifrance’s Maritime Decarbonization Fund and the SPI Fund.

Founded in 2019, CWS designs and manufactures automated rigid wings for ship propulsion. Its patented technology is based on a biomimetic approach inspired by aeronautics, enabling optimal use of wind energy. Located in Montoir-de-Bretagne, the company actively contributes to the decarbonisation of maritime transport.

The fundraising will accelerate CWS’ production capabilities and consolidate its technological leadership in the decarbonisation of maritime transport. Following this fundraising, the founders, including Julien Morel, inventor of the Airfin technology, retain the majority of the capital.

HFW Partner Thomas Forin, Associate Edouard Delfour and Juriste Hugo Meunier supported CWS, its founders and management in structuring and negotiating this strategic transaction, which consisted of €6 million in equity and €6 million in convertible bonds.

Thomas Forin, Partner, HFW:

“We’re delighted to have supported CWS on this landmark funding, which marks its latest step in the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.

This transaction illustrates our firm’s expertise in the fundraising of industrial projects for the maritime energy transition, and we look forward to seeing CWS’ continued successes as a product of this funding.”

HFW is an international law firm founded in 1883. With 21 offices worldwide, HFW supports its clients on strategic and complex issues, notably in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, financing, industrial projects, and energy transition.

HFW opened its Paris office in 1977 and advises France-based clients on a wide range of maritime and air transportation issues, insurance, reinsurance, industrial risks, infrastructure and construction, energy, international trade and commodities.