Deals
Deal in focus: VC-backed Okapi sold to US biopharma Aratana
The sale of venture-backed Belgian biopharmaceutical company Okapi Sciences to listed US biopharma Aratana Therapeutics highlights the benefits that come from maintaining relationships with former fellow investors.
Strong finish to the year for faltering emerging market
A turbulent year for CEE private equity is ending on a high. Kimberly Romaine reports
Herkules acquires Didriksons
Herkules has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Didriksons, a Swedish functional clothing retailer.
MBO Partenaires backs Cofigeo SBO
MBO Partenaires and Société Générale Capital Partenaires have acquired a stake in the buyout of French ready-meals specialist Cofigeo.
VC-backed plista sold to GroupM
German advertising platform provider plista, backed by several venture capital firms, has been acquired by US-based GroupM, the parent company of WPP media agencies.
PE-backed Caffè Nero in £275m refinancing
Hutton Collins-backed Caffè Nero, a UK-based coffee shop chain, has completed a £275m refinancing comprising senior and mezzanine debt.
Erhvervsinvest backs Scanbur
Erhvervsinvest has invested in Danish life sciences company Scanbur.
Investcorp acquires Namet stake
Bahrain-based Investcorp has acquired a minority stake in Turkish meat company Namet Gida Saayi ve Ticareti.
Gimv and Alsace acquire Wolf in SBO
Gimv and Alsace Capital have acquired French designer and manufacturer of women’s underwear Wolf Group from Cathay Capital and EPF Partners.
Gilde acquires Viroclinics
Gilde Healthcare Services has acquired a majority stake in Viroclinics Biosciences, a Netherlands-based virology contact research organisation (CRO).
BDC’s Mezzo di Pasta to change hands in Q1
Bridgepoint Development Capital-backed Mezzo di Pasta, a struggling French pasta fast food chain, is expected to be bought out of “redressement judiciaire” in February.
Baird commits £10.1m to Watkins Hire
Baird Capital has invested £10.1m in Watkins Hire, a provider of heating and cooling equipment rental services, in exchange for a controlling stake.
FlatFrog closes $10m round
FlatFrog Laboratories, a Sweden-based multi-touch systems provider, has raised a further $10m from Invus, Sunstone Capital and Intel Capital.
Batman invests $1m in Robin
Orbys Ventures and Dutch entrepreneur Jan-Willem Tusveld have invested $1m in Robin Software, a Netherlands-based provider of e-commerce customer service software for SMEs, via the newly formed holding company Batman BV.
Credo Partners partially exits Lönne Holding
Credo Partners has sold Lönne Holding to Brammer, while simultaneously acquiring the group's subsidiary Lönne Service.
Inflexion reaps 3.5x on Optionis exit
Inflexion Private Equity has sold employment services company Optionis to MML Capital, realising a 3.5x multiple on its original investment.
VC-backed Okapi acquired by US biopharma Aratana
Belgian biopharmaceutical company Okapi Sciences, backed by several venture capital firms, has been acquired by listed US biopharma Aratana Therapeutics for a total consideration of up to €33.3m.
Caixa leads €2m round for Stinser
Caixa Capital Risc has led a €2m funding round for steel supply management company Stinser, with co-investment from Ade Capital Sodical.
Turkven buys Carlyle’s stake in Medical Park
Turkish private equity firm Turkven has acquired Carlyle’s 40% stake in hospital chain Medical Park.
Snow & Alps secures €1m
Snow & Alps, a reservation system for ski and outdoor holidays, has received €1m in funding from High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF).
Deal in focus: Oquendo in €20m Monbus mezzanine deal
Oquendo Capital made a €20m mezzanine commitment to Spanish bus operator Monbus in December, highlighting the rise of the alternative debt market in Spain.
Springwater Capital backs Saranet buyout
Springwater Capital has acquired an 80% stake in Spain-based internet operator Saranet.
Isis sells Kafevend to Eden Springs
Isis Equity Partners has sold Kafevend to Eden Springs, reaping a 2.5x multiple and an IRR of 13.8% for the Baronsmead VCTs.
Beechbrook backs Simply Biz and N-Sea
Beechbrook Capital has made two new mezzanine investments via its second fund, backing support services business Simply Biz and sub-sea infrastructure services provider N-Sea.