A team led by Hogan Lovells’ Silicon Valley office has advised Autodesk in the US$875 million acquisition of privately-held construction software group PlanGrid, a deal announced by both companies yesterday.

PlanGrid has become a major innovator in the digitization of construction blueprints and projects. Formed in 2011, PlanGrid’s initial goal was to move blueprints from paper to the iPad, but has accelerated its growth and is now a leading software developer in the effort to digitize workflow across the entire construction process. Its software allows general contractors, subcontractors, and owners in commercial, heavy civil and other industries work together in real time throughout the construction project lifecycle.

Autodesk is one of the world’s largest suppliers of software and solutions to the design, engineering, and construction industries. The move to acquire PlanGrid will complement Autodesk’s offering in construction and the cloud software space.

The deal is the second major transaction for the Hogan Lovells Silicon Valley office in a week, coming swiftly on the heels of Sabre’s US$360 million acquisition of Farelogix.

The transaction is expected to close in the First Quarter of 2019. Silicon Valley-based partner Keith Flaum led the Hogan Lovells team, with key support from associates Annie Kang and Samantha Kingman. Partners John Brockland, Scott Loughlin, Mike Frank, Jeffrey Tolin and T Clark Weymouth also provided support, alongside senior associates Mohammad Amer and Nathan Salminen, and associates Max Scott, Whei Hsueh, Ryan O’Carroll, Patrick de Lapérouse and Mike Cook.