Funds
UK FTF makes first committment to DFJ's third fund
The UK Future Technologies Fund (UK FTF), one of two fund-of-funds which effectively make up the UK Innovation Investment Fund, has made its first commitment into the DFJ Esprit III vehicle, bringing it closer to its £130m target.
Hermes and Gartmore deliver consolidation message
Hermes and Gartmore lead the consolidation of the fund-of-funds industry with the creation of Hermes GPE. Deborah Sterescu reports.
Octopus VCT closes at £50m
Octopus Investments has reached its £50m capacity for its limited life VCT - open since September 2009. The fund is now closed for new investments.
Southern Europe unquote" April 2010
A quarter into 2010 and European private equity dealflow is still fragile, prompting many GPs to remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, figures from the upcoming unquote” European Fundraising Review emphasise the fundraising drought of 2009.
Carlyle raises $1.1bn financial services fund
The Carlyle Group has raised $1.1bn for its first financial services fund, Carlyle Global Financial Services Partners (CGFSP).
HarbourVest to list senior secured loans fund on LSE
HarbourVest Partners has launched a new senior secured loans fund, HarbourVest Senior Loans Europe Limited, which will be admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
Macquarie expands PE division in Europe with two appointments
Macquarie Funds Group has appointed Mike Siebert and Brenden Woods as portfolio managers to its private equity division.
Boehringer Ingelheim launches €100m corporate venture fund
Pharmaceuticals giant Boehringer Ingelheim has launched the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, a €100m corporate venture vehicle.
AXA and F2i to bid for Endesa’s gas assets
It is understood that AXA Private Equity and Italian investor Fondi Italiani per le Infrastrutture (F2i) are joining forces to bid for the acquisition of utilities company Endesa gas' assets in Spain.
The UK's Green Investment Bank - not yet a done deal
A week ago, the UK government announced the pre-election budget plans for 2010, which included the idea of a Green Investment Bank (GIB). But despite these positive intentions and the backing of private investors, it is far from a done deal; even if it...
Platina closes renewable energy fund on €209m
Renewable energy and turnaround investor Platina Partners LLP has reached the closing of its European Renewable Energy Fund (EREF) with total commitments of €209m.
bmp wins mandate for €20m early-stage fund
bmp has won the mandate to manage a €20m early-stage fund in Brandenburg following a Europe-wide tender.
3i closes growth fund on €1.2bn; open to new investments
Further strengthening its position in the markets, 3i has just announced the final close of its Growth Capital Fund on €1.2bn, and has made it clear that the firm will continue to look for new investment opportunities.
Lexington Partners holds interim closing on $3bn
Secondaries specialist Lexington Partners has held an interim closing of its seventh fund, Lexington Capital Partners VII, on just over $3.1bn.
Ventizz acquires Sovello AG
Ventizz Capital Partners has acquired solar module manufacturer Sovello AG from REC Group, Evergreen and Q-Cells.
DBAG to raise €200m expansion capital fund
Deutsche Beteiligungs AG plans to raise a €200m expansion capital fund.
MMC Ventures launches EIS fund for youngsters
MMC Ventures has launched a tax-efficient EIS fund aimed at younger investors aged between 18-35 years old.
GEM Benelux holds first and final €200m close of second fund
Gilde Equity Management (GEM) Benelux has reached the first and final close of its new fund, GEM Benelux II, at its hard cap of €200m.
Atomico closes second fund on $165m
Early-stage technology investor Atomico has closed its second fund, Atomico Ventures II, on $165m.
Italy launches €1bn fund for SMEs
The Italian government and a group of private investors including Confindustria, the Italian Association of Banks (ABI) and the country’s three main financial institutions –Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit and MPS- have launched a €1bn fund to support...
New £90m VC fund launches in Yorkshire
A £90m venture capital and loan fund has been launched to boost business growth in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Gimv-XL closes on €609m
European investment company Gimv has announced the final closing of its latest vehicle Gimv-XL fund at €609m.
BPE acquires Domilens
BPE Unternehmensbeteiligungen GmbH has, together with the management team, wholly acquired medical supplies company Domilens GmbH from STAAR Surgical AG, Switzerland.
Pohjola’s Selected Private Equity Funds II reaches first closing on €97m
Finnish based, pan-European private equity fund of funds manager Pohjola Private Equity Funds has reached the first closing of its Selected Private Equity Funds II (SPEF II) on €97m.