Deals
NORWAY - Norvestor creates Nordic eye surgery group
Norvestor has created a new Nordic laser eye surgery group consisting of Swedish Globen Ögonklinik, and the Norwegian clinics Sandvika øyeklinikk and Argus øyeklinikk. Norvestor is the majority shareholder of the business, while the management has...
FRANCE - LFPI beats AtriA to win Matebat deal
Following an auction process run by Close Brothers, La Financière Patrimoniale d'Investissement (LFPI) has backed the buyout of Matebat, for a value of EUR 75-100m.
UK - BOSGE acquires 13% stake in Red Spider
Bank of Scotland Corporate's Growth Equity team (BOSGE) has made an undisclosed investment in Red Spider Teachnology Ltd, a global supplier to the oil and gas industry. It has taken a 13.33% stake in the business following the deal.
UK - Ingenious and Eagle Rock join forces on Ground Level
Ingenious has announced that the Ingenious Music VCT 2 has joined forces with independent TV and DVD producer Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd to form a new company, Ground Level Recording Ltd.
UK - ISIS backs On the Beach
ISIS Equity Partners has completed an investment into On the Beach, an online beach holiday retailer.
UK - Barclays Ventures exits ChipsAway in £20m deal
Barclays Ventures has achieved a 3x return from the disposal of Edwin Investments Ltd. The business, which trades as ChipsAway Group, is an automotive services franchise group. It has been acquired by Myhome in a deal worth up to £20m. The exit generated...
UK - Lyceum-backed SPI makes first acquisition
Lyceum Capital portfolio company SPI Group Ltd has acquired Octopus Electrical Ltd for an undisclosed sum. SPI is a supplier of services including installation, repairs, maintenance and support for the social housing sector. Octopus serves a wide range...
BELGIUM - SEP leads EUR 26m investment in Kiala
Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) has led a EUR 26m funding round for Kiala, an innovative pan-European delivery solutions business. SEP was joined by several other investors, including funds related to La Poste and TPG (TNT Post Group). GP Bullhound, the...
UK - SPARK supports $12m series-B funding for Vivacta
SPARK Ventures has completed a $1m follow on investment for Vivacta, an in vitro diagnostic company, as part of a $12m series-B funding round.
SWEDEN - NorthZone and TeknoSeed invest SEK 7.4m in Nanofreeze
NorthZone Ventures and TeknoSeed AB have invested SEK 7.4m in Nanofreeze Technologies, a Swedish cleantech company. The funding round will be used to continue development of the company's technology, and it plans to have its first product launch by 2010.
GERMANY – Buchanan Capital Partners acquires stake in Dehler
Funds advised by Buchanan Capital Partners have acquired a minority stake in sailing yacht builder Dehler for an undisclosed amount. The company is based in the Sauerland area and will use the funding to further support its growth strategy. Dehler was...
FRANCE - biospace med raises EUR 12m
NBGI Ventures and Crédit Agricole Private Equity have led a EUR 12m financing round in orthopaedic imaging company biospace med. Existing investors Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners and UFG PE also contributed to this round. The new capital will...
UK - LSE leads £2m investment into Bac2
London Seed Capital (LSE) has led an investment of £2m into Bac2, a specialist developer of a conductive polymer for use in fuel cells, alongside a record investment by the London Business Angels (LBA) Network.
NETHERLANDS - Shell Technology Ventures partially exits At Balance
Shell Technology Ventures has sold a minority stake in At Balance, a Dutch company that provides technology for drilling oil and gas wells. The transaction will give At Balance access to pressure equipment and services supplied by Smith, a supplier of...
UK - YFM full exit from Cozart realises 4x
YFM Private Equity has announced the full exit from its investment in medical diagnostics business Cozart Plc. Over the course of its six year involvement in the company, YFM has seen returns of 4x. Cozart has been acquired by AIM-listed Concateno Plc...
UK - HgCapital and Montagu have Biffa in their sights
It has been confirmed that waste management company Biffa received an indicative approach from HgCapital and Montagu Private Equity in early September. The board subsequently rejected the bid, however, Biffa shares were up 25% on Friday upon news of a...
UK - JC Flowers eclipsed by Virgin in battle for Rock
A consortium led by Virgin Group has been named as the frontrunner for Northern Rock. US private equity group JC Flowers expressed its interest in the beleaguered lender in late September and had been thought a favoured bidder after it revealed it had...
UK - The Capital Fund invests £250,000 to support Plasticell
The Capital Fund, managed by YFM Venture Finance Ltd, has made an investment of £250,000 into Plasticell, a company that is developing innovative stem cell and drug screening products.
UK - NSEI invests £1.4m in ASL
NorthStar Equity Investors (NSEI) has made an investment of £1.4m into Applied Superconductors Ltd (ASL).
UK - Candover and First Reserve compete for Abbot Group
Candover and First Reserve have been left to fight it out for oil services business Abbot Group. The listed-business was initially approached by 3i in early October with 3i indicating it was prepared to pay up to £870m for it. However, following disagreements...
GERMANY - High-Tech Gründerfonds leads EUR 1.5m seed-financing
High-Tech Gründerfonds has led a seed financing round for migenion GmbH, contributing EUR 500,000 to the company in return for a 15% shareholding. Additional financing came from various research institutions and the founders, bringing the total amount...
FRANCE - Perfectis backs buyout of Commagnac Industries
Perfectis Private Equity has completed the buyout of sensitive goods transportation business Commagnac Industries.
ITALY – Synergo in Valvitalia preliminary signing
The consortium comprising private equity firm Synergo, Igi Sgr and Banca Leonardo has signed a preliminary agreement for the purchase of a 45% stake in Valvitalia.
SPAIN - Demeter and Clave Mayor invest in solar panels
French private equity house Demeter and Spanish small-cap investor Clave Mayor have taken a minority stake in solar panel manufacturer Euroner.