Venture
FRANCE - Newfund holds first close on EUR 63m
Newfund Management, the new private equity company created in 2007 by Francois Véron, has held the first close of its maiden fund, Newfund 1, on EUR 63m. Newfund 1 is expected to gather EUR 80m with a hard cap of EUR 100m.
SPAIN - Axón launches ITC fund
Axón Capital has launched its second fund, Fondo Axon II CM-TMT, with EUR 15m in capital committed.
EUROPE - Earlybird closes new fund on EUR 127m
Earlybird has held a final closing of its new fund Earlybird IV, with investors from Germany, the US, Asia and the Middle East committing EUR 127m towards the early-stage financing of young, innovative companies.
RUSSIA - Hansa reaches first closing on EUR 30m
According to sources, Hansa Investment Funds has reached the first closing of a EUR 30m private equity fund that will focus on investments in Eastern Europe.
UK - Oxford Capital closes fourth gateway fund on £12m
Oxford Capital has closed Oxford Gateway Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Fund No 4 on £12m.
GLOBAL - ArcelorMittal launches cleantech fund
ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, has launched a EUR 100m venture capital fund to invest in clean technologies.
UK/GERMANY - First London to launch EUR 50m fund
First London Securities has reached an agreement with Humbolt-Innovation GmbH to establish a joint EUR 50m fund designed to invest in spin-out companies from the Berlin Humbolt university.
UK - Pentech to raise £45m fund
Pentech Ventures is believed to be raising a new £45m fund, to be launched this summer.
EUROPE - F&C closes on EUR 173m
F&C Management has held the final close of its Europe-focused mid-market fund-of-funds, F&C European Capital Partners, on EUR 173m.
RUSSIA - Almaz reaches first closing on USD 60m
Almaz Capital Partners has reached the first closing of its maiden fund, Almaz Capital Russia Fund I, on USD 60m.
SPAIN - Erkapen launches with EUR 400m fund
Erkapen, which is backed by the Basque and local governments and three Basque savings banks, has launched with a EUR 400m fund to invest in Basque companies.