Benelux
What's in the box?
Secondary buyouts have grabbed many headlines this year, with the media trying to make the most out of recovering private equity deal activity. тPass the parcelт seems to be the new buzz phrase for 2010, while the negative connotation of this seems to...
Is travel & tourism set to take off?
The travel and tourism sector has been hit hard by the financial crisis, with reports of airlines on the brink of collapse and stranded passengers following the bankruptcy of travel agencies. Despite this, 2010 has seen a resurgence in private equity...
Call in the investigators?
In the private equity world, the term due diligence is most often associated with the verification of a targetтs financial position and trading prospects. Yet, as it is so often said, private equity is a people business: so who, if anyone, does the industry...
Ipes establishes Luxembourg office
Specialist private equity fund administrator Ipes has expanded its presence by opening a new office in Luxembourg.
Venture Capital: A growing equity gap
Recessions are often looked back on as golden ages for the venture capital industry, as the next generation of successful and innovative businesses rise from the ashes of economic collapse. However, speaking to attendees of this yearтs Seedcamp last night,...
Contrasting fortunes for Southern Europe
Southern Europe has experienced some of the toughest trials of the financial crisis, with its countries experiencing bank collapses, credit downgrades and dire predictions for their economies. Despite an overall gloomy economic outlook across the region,...
Basel III: Capital requirements and the cost of leverage
The Basel III banking regulations took a major step forward over the weekend when central bankers agreed on the latest set of rules to prevent future financial crises. Higher capital requirements for banks have hit the headlines, but what effect will...
Central banks agree Basel III rules
Central bank governors have agreed new capital requirements for banks as part of Basel III.
Lion Capital considering Hema exit
Lion Capital has announced it is looking to sell its stake in Dutch general retailer Hema
New compromise suggested on AIFM Directive
As Europeтs politicians return from the summer recess, negotiations over the final shape of the Alternative Investment Fund Managersт (AIFM) Directive have resumed. A revised compromise on the Directive, issued by the new Belgian presidency, will now...
Great expectations
Itтs always interesting to gauge the mood of private equity practitioners and their expectations after the summer break. Two years ago, when the financial markets were in disarray following the Lehman collapse, deal activity came to a standstill and then...
Private equity dines on restaurants
Burger King, one of the worldтs biggest fast food brands, is set to become private equity owned yet again. The $4bn acquisition will be one of private equityтs biggest forays into the catering sector, but interest in restaurants has remained strong throughout...
Candover story: Media picture lacks clarity
The announcement by Candover Investments plc that it is abandoning new investments to focus on returning cash from the sale of its remaining portfolio assets has certainly grabbed many headlines in recent days. But is the mainstream press sensationalising...
Three managers spin out from KBC Private Equity
Three former executives of Belgian investor KBC Private Equity have spun out to form new small-cap, later-stage outfit Think2Act Partners, according to local press reports.
Q&A: The evolution of due diligence
Due dilience can be a time consuming process, and seems to be taking longer since the crisis. Emanuel Eftimiu talks to Dr Joachim Scholz of Rothgordt & Cie about the increased emphasis on due diligence in the current environment.
Prime Technology Ventures exits Nedstat
Prime Technology Ventures has sold its 43% stake in web analytics specialist Nedstat to comScore, in a deal that values the company at €28.6m.
Bencis Capital acquires Royal Sanders
Bencis Capital Partners has acquired Dutch provider of personal care products Royal Sanders.
Take-privates: Playing hard to get?
Shares in troubled care provider Southern Cross leaped 67% late last week after it declined an approach from TowerBrook. Having suffered a massive fall in its share price this year, it may have seemed an easy target for private equity bidders, but has...
unquote" Events Roundup
As autumn approaches, unquoteт has a busy schedule of events covering all aspects of the private equity industry, while providing excellent networking opportunities. With the Italia and Deutsche conferences rapidly approaching, and not forgetting the...
CalPERS private equity manager steps down
Leon Shahinian stepped down as head of the private equity portfolio at CalPERS amid a fraud lawsuit.
Parcom Capital acquires Greencore Continental
Parcom Capital has reached agreement with Greencore Group on the acquisition of Dutch chilled food specialist Greencore Continental.
Dealflow: Autumn boom expected after slow summer
As the summer holiday season draws to a close, Europeтs private equity market is set to pick up. While activity has slowed significantly in some regions, industry players are expecting a deal-doing boom in the coming weeks and months.
BioGeneration Ventures et al. invest in Arcarios
A pool of investors led by BioGeneration Ventures have provided Dutch biotechnology company Arcarios with a round of seed financing.
Exits: Private equity IPO prices fall
With a number of high-profile exits so far this year, selling companies has been a hot topic, particularly after the many difficulties of 2009. However, the IPO market has been difficult for private equity players, and new figures show just how tough...