Funds
Polaris plans second close of third fund in May
Nordic private equity house Polaris is set to holding a second close of its third buyout fund in May this year.
BaltCap unveils €20m Lithuanian risk capital
BaltCap and European Investment Fund have signed an agreement to set up a €20 million risk capital fund for small and medium Lithuanian enterprises.
USS acquires $135m interest in NB secondaries fund
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has acquired a $135m interest in the Neuberger Berman (NB) Secondary Opportunities Fund II from the Lehman Brothers Estate.
Advent wins £500m DFS auction
Advent International has succeeded with its £500m bid to acquire DFS, a home furniture retailer.
Recovery fund: releasing the shackles of debt
ICG’s new recovery fund specifically supports companies chained down by over-leverage, rather than loss-making businesses that require a complete turnaround. Francinia Protti-Alvarez investigates
VCT fundraising picks up
New figures released today by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) show a spike in fundraising activity for VCTs in the 2009/10 tax year.
WHEB Ventures achieves fourth closing on €114m
WHEB Ventures has reached the fourth closing of its second cleantech fund, WHEB Ventures Private Equity Fund 2 LP, on on €114m.
Carlyle's Argon GmbH makes takeover offer for listed P&I
Carlyle Group-backed Argon GmbH & Co KG has made a voluntary public takeover offer for Personal & Informatik (P&I) AG.
Montezemolo & Partners acquires 60% of Octo Telematics
Montezemolo & Partners PEH has acquired 60% of Octo Telematics from Meta System Group.
ADM holds first close of CEE Recovery Fund on €100m
ADM Capital has held a first close of CEECAT Recovery Fund on €100m. The fund will invest in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Turkey.
Covesco Venture seeks to raise EUR 50m DACH seed fund
Covesco German Seed Fund GmbH & Co. KG has launched its maiden vehicle, German Seed Fund, targeting €50m.
Neuberger Berman to launch distressed debt fund
Private Equity investor Neuberger Berman, plans to launch NB Distressed Debt Investment, a fund targeting asset-backed senior debt.
Primus Capital raises fund to invest in Hungarian SMEs
The Hungarian market watchdog PSZÁF has given the green light to Primus Capital to commence investing its Ft6.2bn (roughly €23.5m) Primus III Kockázati Tőkealap fund.
Bridgepoint Development Capital set up Paris team
Bridgepoint Development Capital (BDC) has set up an office in Paris led by Pierre Colasson.
ISAI hold €24m close of venture fund
ISAI, launched in 2008, has held a first close of €24m of its ISAI Developpement fund.
I2BF to raise Global Cleantech growth capital fund
International cleantech asset manager I2BF has launched Venture Fund II, a $100m global renewable energy and cleantech-focused growth capital fund.
ICG closes recovery fund on €843m
London-based alternative asset investor Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), has reached the final closing of its €843m ICG Recovery Fund.
Seventure lead £3.5m investment in PhosphonicS
Seventure Partners lead £3.5m second investment round in PhosphonicS, a cleantech company, alongside returning investors Regents Park Partners, a LBS venture capital fund, and private investors.
Diana Capital seeks €175m for second fund
Spanish lower mid-cap specialist Diana Capital has confirmed that fundraising has begun on a new €175m-target vehicle.
Biotech IPOs under investor microscope
The recent flurry of biotechs seeking to raise capital on the public markets could prove mistimed as question marks are raised over investor appetite. François Rowell investigates.
Better Capital acquires Reader's Digest UK for £13m
Better Capital has completed a second acquisition; the management buyout of the UK business of Reader's Digest in a transaction valued at £13m, which secures the future of the business.
Deutsche Bank launches €6bn fund-of-funds
Deutsche Bank is set to launch DB Private Equity, a €6bn private equity fund-of-funds.
21 Partners hold €300 second close of fourth fund
21 Partners has held a second close of 21 Centrale Partners IV just over €300m.
Deutsche Bank launches PE fund of funds unit
Deutsche Bank is launching a new private equity fund-of-funds unit as part of its asset management business, according to reports.