Benelux
NL - Alta Partners leads EUR 15m round for biotechnology company
Alta Partners has led a EUR 15m funding round for Groningen-based Kiadis Pharma B.V. Existing investors also participated in the deal, amongst those was Esprit Capital Partners, investing a further EUR 0.5m from the Esprit-run Prelude Trust Plc.
EUROPE - Schühsler replaces Loizaga as EVCA chairman
TVM Capital's managing partner Helmut Schühsler was officially elected as EVCA chairman for the period June 2007 to June 2008.
EUROPE - EVCA defiant on difficult day for private equity
The mood at the EVCA Symposium held in Rome today was defiant. On the day that the BVCA CEO stepped down the voices on this side of the Channel were clear: "Politicians should be careful what they wish for," warned Philippe Costeletos from Texas Pacific...
EUROPE - EVCA to change its set-up
The European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) today announced at its annual conference in Rome that it is to become an umbrella for three independent groups dealing with large buy-out houses, mid-market buy-out companies and venture...
BELGIUM - Transics IPO more than 10x oversubscribed
Carlyle-backed Transics, a provider of on-board computers and fleet management solutions for the transport and logistics sector, has offered 2,628,571 shares on Eurolist by Euronext Brussels, priced at €17.50 per share.
EUROPE - EVCA stats show record 2006 fundraising and investment
Final figures for European private equity activity and performance were announced by EVCA today, confirming a booming buyout industry and continued UK dominance. The figures also showed something of a revival for European venture, with €17bn allocated...
NL - Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics launches IPO
VC-backed human gene therapy specialist Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) has launched an offering of up to 5 million new shares, for a price range of EUR 8-10.
NL - Lion Capital acquires HEMA
Lion Capital has acquired Dutch retailer HEMA from Maxeda. The deal is subject to regulatory approval, expected before the end of July 2007.
NL - Lehman considers fund-of-funds IPO
Lehman Brother Private Equity has announced it is considering a Euronext Amsterdam listing for a fund-of-funds. Should the launch go ahead, Lehman will invest a substantial portion of its own funds in the vehicle, commit all capital raised through the...
BELGIUM - KBC and Indufin acquire HR business alongside management
Private equity firms KBC and Indufin have wholly acquired a conglomerate of employment agencies Actief Interim, Actief Construct and Actief alongside the group's managing director Mark Maesen.
LUXEMBOURG - VOXmobile sold for EUR 80m
Listed investment firm BIP Investment Partners has sold mobile network operator VOXmobile to Mobistar for EUR 80m. Mobistar acquired a 90% stake with the balance being held by the company’s founders.
EUROPE - European venture performance takes off
The returns from European venture have never been better, with new performance figures now exceeding even the lofty heights seen in 2001. “The GPs left in this space are the cream that has risen to the top,” says Charles Irving at Pond Ventures. “It...
EUROPE - European venture performance takes off
The returns from European venture have never been better, with new performance figures now exceeding even the lofty heights seen in 2001. “The GPs left in this space are the cream that has risen to the top,” says Charles Irving at Pond Ventures. “It...
NL – Emerald Technology Ventures invests in fluXXion
Emerald Technology Ventures has led a EUR 6.4m financing round in Dutch micro filtration technology company fluXXion. Other investors joining the round include Capricorn Cleantech Fund, WHEB Ventures as well as existing investor Koninklijke Philips Electronics.
WORLD - Blackstone in $3bn Chinese coup
When Blackstone announced it was to list on the NYSE, it provoked much discussion, but few mused over its potential impact on Chinese-US relations. Unsuprisingly, no one foresaw China's announcement that it will invest $3bn of its $1.2 trillion foreign...
EUROPE - Private equity to take the stand
The Commons Treasury Select Committee in the UK has summoned five of Europe ’s biggest private equity chiefs to attend a meeting on 20 June, which as been called a sort of ‘public hearing’ in a report in today’s Financial Times. The industry...
EUROPE - Bear Stearns joins iPEIT club
The Initiative for Private Equity Investment Trusts ( iPEIT ) now names Bear Stearns Private Equity Limited as one of its members, bringing the total number of PEITs under the umbrella organisation to 11. Bear Stearns is a listed fund of funds that...
EUROPE - WINNERS ANNOUNCED for unquote” Central & Eastern European Awards
Unquote” is delighted to announce the winners of the first ever awards for Central & Eastern European Private Equity, held last night at One Whitehall Place, London. The inaugural event, held in association with EBRD and sponsored by Clifford Chance,...
EUROPE - Carlyle in Euronext placing
The Carlyle Group is to place shares of its Guernsey-based affiliate Carlyle Capital Corporation on Euronext Amsterdam later this year, the buyout house said in a statement.
EUROPE - Male gender prevails in venture-backed companies
Around 95% of the CEOs in venture-backed companies across Europe are men, according to a study carried out by Library House. However, the data shows that companies run by women appear to perform ahead of their male peers. Out of 600 venture-backed companies...
WORLD - KKR cashes in with 44% of global deal volume
KKR has eclipsed its rivals so far this year, claiming a 44.1% share of global deal volume, over double its 20% share since the beginning of 2004. The value of these deals was more than it recorded in 2005 and 2006 combined. This includes the £10.1bn...
NL - Endemol snapped up by Mediaset
Endemol, the Amsterdam-listed production company is understood to have been acquired by Italian media company Mediaset. The deal values Endemol at EUR 3bn. Spanish company Telefonica announced its intention to sell its 75% stake in the company earlier...
LUXEMBOURG - 3i invests EUR 37m in outsourcing business
3i Growth Capital has invested EUR 37m for a minority stake in KNEIP Communication, the Luxembourg-based outsourcing partner to the investment fund industry.
EUROPE - Later stage rounds dominate European venture activity in Q1 2007
Recent research into European venture investing in Q1 2007 shows that later stage rounds have dominated activity. 40% of the rounds in the first quarter were later-stage rounds, the largest percentage since 1999. In total, Q1 2007 recorded EUR 1.07bn...