"The corporate culture of KMH Benefits aligns well with that of American companies"
Mergers and acquisitions come with many challenges, especially when they involve multiple countries and regulatory environments. Sam Koch, who played a key role in the deal, shares how HalfCourt Ventures overcame a significant hurdle with the help of KMH Benefits.
Mergers and acquisitions come with many challenges, especially when they involve multiple countries and regulatory environments. Sam Koch, who played a key role in the deal, shares how HalfCourt Ventures overcame a significant hurdle with the help of KMH Benefits.
A complex challenge
HalfCourt Ventures, an investment fund specializing in AI-driven technology companies, encountered an unusual obstacle during its acquisition of FeedBackNow.
To finalize the deal, the firm had to conduct a highly specific “employee benefits due diligence”: ensuring that three French employees received benefits comparable to those of their new colleagues.
The complexity stemmed from the fact that there was no existing French entity to acquire—only three employees who needed to be integrated into a new corporate structure. These employees had previously been covered by a larger organization, making the transition even more intricate.
“To complete the acquisition, we had to provide consistent benefits for all our employees, regardless of their location. We also wanted to ensure they had access to the best possible options. Managing multiple legal and regulatory frameworks across five countries added another layer of complexity. Acquiring a company is already challenging—doing so across different jurisdictions is even more so,” explains Sam Koch.
KMH Benefits: A key partner in navigating complexity
“Understanding the intricacies of the French system from the U.S. was extremely difficult for us. We consulted various experts, including lawyers, but they provided little clarity. That’s when our U.S. benefits manager introduced us to KMH Benefits. It was our first time working with them,” recalls Sam.
“Nicolas and his team were instrumental in helping us quickly grasp our obligations, the available options, and how they aligned with our other European employees. They streamlined the entire process, making it smooth and efficient,” he adds.
The risk of a failed deal
“The primary concern was closing the deal successfully. Any delay or misstep could have jeopardized the transaction. The investor group might have reconsidered, or Forrester, the company’s previous owner, could have backed out given FeedBackNow’s rapid growth. Timing was also critical—missing key deadlines could have compromised the entire agreement,” Sam explains.
The solution delivered by KMH Benefits
“KMH Benefits excelled at breaking down our options and structuring the most cost-effective solution to meet our needs. They didn’t just act as a service provider; they became a true partner, actively listening and adapting to our situation,” says Sam.
He further highlights their proactive approach: “They simplified my role by providing clear documentation and explaining each step in straightforward terms. From the outset, they warned us about potential bottlenecks and advised us on securing key documents early to avoid surprises later in the process.”
For Sam, working with KMH Benefits was seamless. “Their business culture aligns well with American companies. From our first interaction, they were transparent, efficient, and highly responsive,” he concludes.