Bio
Matt Smith specialises in corporate and commercial law, with particular focus on the technology and energy industries. Having practised in these areas in New Zealand and overseas since 2007, he brings a deep level of legal expertise and industry knowledge. His clients range from startups through to large corporate and public sector organisations. Matt is passionate about supporting high growth companies through their lifecycles and helping them achieve their goals. He enjoys advising suppliers of new technologies with the potential to revolutionise industries and solve business and environmental problems.
Matt’s corporate and commercial work includes capital raising and investment, corporate restructures, employee share ownership plans (ESOPs), joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), commercial supply agreements and standard terms and conditions.
As part of his technology practice he regularly advises clients on commercialisation and licensing matters, SaaS arrangements, systems procurement, outsourcing, partnering and distribution arrangements, and privacy/data protection matters.
In the energy sector his experience includes solar energy arrangements, power purchase agreements (PPAs), smart metering and other technologies, and regulatory matters.
Matt's approach to law is solutions-driven – he understands his clients' goals and focuses on delivering practical and effective legal solutions to get them there. Clients value his pragmatism and responsiveness, and trust in his advice.
Recognition
- Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Corporate and M&A, Next Generation Partner, 2022-2024
Qualifications
- LLB Hons, BCom – University of Auckland
- Admitted in New Zealand – 2007
Work highlights
- Insuretech company JAVLN on various SaaS arrangements with enterprise customers, an AUD6.7 capital raise and 'flip' to an Australian holding company, and its acquisition of JRNY’s AI-driven customer experience software.
- Medical record software provider Intrahealth Systems on the New Zealand aspects of its CAD19.25m sale to WELL Health. This multi-jurisdiction transaction included consideration payable in both cash and WELL common stock.
- Soft starter manufacturer, Aucom Electronics, on its sale to Unico Technologies Group.
- Solar energy provider SolarZero on the establishment of a new structure and contractual arrangements for the provision of large-scale solar installations for commercial and public sector customers. These arrangements involve a unique "solar as a service" model, and will help SolarZero's customers to deliver on commitments to reduce their carbon footprint by consuming lower cost, clean energy.
- Energy Solution Providers on its acquisition of the BraveGen carbon accounting SaaS business, multiple funding rounds and agreements with enterprise customers.
- NovoLabs on its seed and VC funding rounds and agreements for the supply of its supercritical UV disinfection systems.
- Wellbeing solutions provider Groov on its Series A extension round, strategic partnership with New Zealand Rugby, and enterprise customer agreements.
- SmartCo, a smart electricity metering joint venture formed by various lines companies, on its establishment and founding agreements, including a metering system supply agreement, meter supply agreements, and agreements for the supply of electricity consumption data to electricity retailers. SmartCo has deployed smart meters to service approximately 250,000 urban and rural customers across various parts of New Zealand.
- Inland Revenue on the procurement process and contractual arrangements for the appointment of its design partner for its $1 billion Business Transformation Programme. The Business Transformation Programme is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's largest ever IT/business transformation projects.
- Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, and Wellington Water on a Shared ICT Services Project to procure shared ICT infrastructure services in the Wellington region.
