Benelux
Benelux unquote" February 2012
The past year has seen a minor recovery for the Benelux countries, at a time when other European regions are struggling.
Regional investors vital for economic recovery
Regional devolution has been favoured by some private equity firms as a means of boosting dealflow. However, despite the merits of a regional presence, unquoteт data reveals that investments backed by regional players has fallen since 2005. Perhaps though,...
NPM Capital and Cyrte Investments sell retailer bol.com for €350m
NPM Capital and Cyrte Investments have sold their stake in Dutch speciality retailer bol.com to supermarket giant Ahold for €350m in cash.
Sweden tops EC innovation despite incomplete eco-chain
Sweden has ranked highest in the European Innovation Union Scoreboard, but one industry professional has expressed his surprise at this success due to an тobvious lack in strategy for innovationт and тa terrible taxing system for entrepreneursт. Amy King...
BC European Capital IX closes at €6.5bn hard-cap
BC Partners has closed its ninth European Capital fund at the vehicle's тЌ6.5bn hard-cap.
EU leaders call for pan-European VC regime
Ahead of a summit on 1st March, David Cameron has joined 11 other EU leaders in a letter calling for the EU's economic policies to shift their focus from tough austerity cuts to growth-stimulating measures.
DACH venture scene remains on top form
While the rest of Europe has suffered from a low deal volume in 2011, the DACH early-stage sector is going strong. Considering the well-established venture scene, it is not surprising that this region has dominated early-stage in Q4 2011.
BeCapital backs Verdesis
BeCapital has backed EDF Energies Nouvelles biogas subsidiary Verdesis.
Rabo Private Equity buys Bovema Glas BV
Rabo Private Equity's Phoenix Recovery Capital has acquired Dutch glass specialist Bovema Glas.
Dodd-Frank fears "overblown"
The extensive requirements and wide reach of the US's Dodd-Frank Act has stirred up fears among European GPs. But law firm DLA Piper downplays worries, pointing to a number of available exemptions. Sonnie Ehrendal investigates.
MKB+ invests €3m in Aeon Astron Europe
Innovatiefonds MKB+ has made the first venture investment in Dutch biotech company Aeon Astron Europe.
Market consolidation forcing FOFs to evolve
Funds-of-funds are an endangered species, with many shedding the title. Kimberly Romaine finds that today itтs all about diversification and tailoring your offering to prospective clients.
H2 merges Durobor and Sobodec Group
H2 Private Equity Partners has acquired Belgian glass manufacturer Durobor and French-Belgian glass decoration company Sobodec Group.
Early-stage and Nordics stand out
2011 was a bleak year for the private equity industry, but it was still an improvement on 2010, writes Olivier Marty
E-Capital III breaks target for second close
E-Capital's latest fund has held a close of its latest fund above target at €95m.
Bencis Capital investes in Dutch temp agency
Bencis Capital has acquired Dutch temp agency Faber Personeelsdiensten.
Fragmented ecosystem hampering European venture
The debate surrounding the high returns enjoyed by Silicon Valley investors compared to their European counterparts continues. But why do stateside investments traditionally reap higher returns than those in European startups, and what needs to change...
Europe et Croissance invests €750,000 in Chapellerie Herman
Europe et Croissance has invested €750,000 in Belgian millinery Chapellerie Herman from the EU-backed EUREFI fund.
Main Capital sells Actuera to Waterland Private Equity
Main Capital has sold its majority stake in Dutch business software developer Actuera to Waterland Private Equity.
Jersey launches private placement scheme
Jersey has introduced a private placement scheme for institutional and professional investors.
2011 a bumper year for Nordic fundraising
Fundraising activity declined slightly in 2011 compared to the previous year, as the market remains tough and LPs selective. Not all European regions fared equally though, with the Nordic countries and France attracting significant amounts of capital....
KBC exits Dynaco
KBC Private Equity has sold door-manufacturer Dynaco to Assa Abloy in a deal valued at €75-125m.
Deal volumes hit 15-year low
Deal volumes in Q4 2011 hit their lowest levels since 1996, in a difficult final quarter for the private equity industry, according to the unquoteт Private Equity Barometer, in association with Arle Capital Partners.
Debt providers: "One-stop shops" gaining ground
Faced with a tough bank lending environment, PE houses are increasingly turning to тone-stop shopsт to leverage their deals. Indeed, alternative debt providers are looking forward to a busy 2012, as Greg Gille finds out.