CEE
POLAND - Argan acquires majority stake in AAT Group
Argan Capital has acquired Polish distributor of security products and systems, AAT Group. Following completion of the transaction, Argan will hold a majority stake in the business. Established in 1995, AAT has a broad product offering which includes...
BALTIC - LP Otrais Eko Funds invest in LLC Epic Bau for EUR 150,000
LP Otrais Eko Fonds will invest EUR 150,000 in start-up company LLC Epic Bau to finance the acquisition of modern mobile concrete production machinery. The fund will obtain a 49% shareholding in the company.
HUNGARY - KBC invests in Grafika Press
KBC Private Equity has acquired a minority shareholding in Hungarian printing company Grafika Press. Additionally, the financial investor provided Grafika with a mezzanine facility to finance the acquisition of assets from another Hungarian printing company...
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...
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...
BULGARIA - Arco acquires CableTEL for €41m
Arco Capital Corporation (ACC) has announced the €41m acquisition of CableTEL, a Bulgaria-based telecommunications company which also has operations in Macedonia. ACC is a holding company that engages in lending and acquisition activities primarily...
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,...
CEE - AIG invests in SC Digital Cable Systems SA
AIG Capital Partners has invested EUR 45m in Romanian firm SC Digital Cable (DCS) Systems, a provider of video re-transmission services. The commitment will be funded by AIG New Europe II, a EUR 523m fund dedicated to investments in Central and Eastern...
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...
CEE - unquote'' Central & Eastern Europe Congress & Awards
unquote” is excited to bring you the first annual unquote” Central & Eastern Europe Private Equity Congress & Awards this Wednesday, 16 May 2007, in London. The unquote” Central & Eastern Europe Private Equity Congress brings together industry experts...
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...
TURKEY - Global Finance buys stake in Biofarma
Greek private equity firm Global Finance is the latest investor to purchase a stake in Turkish pharmaceutical business Biofarma.
BALTICS - BaltCap exits UAB Daily Services yielding 35% IRR
BaltCap has sold its minority position in UAB Daily Services, a Baltic office supplies logistics company, to Agias Holding SIA. BaltCap recived 35% IRR on the investment.
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...
CEE - Colin Hewett leaves Mid Europa
After eight years involvement with the Mid Europa team, Colin Hewett has stepped down from the investment and management committees of Mid Europa Partners. Although Hewett has decided to pursue other interests, he will continue as a consultant to the...
BULGARIA - AIG acquires Bulgarian Telecommunications Company
AIG Global Investment Group has acquired a 65% stake in Bulgarian Telecommunications Company for EUR 1.08bn from Viva Ventures GmbH. The former state-owned telecommunications company is currently listed on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange and AIG acquired...
HUNGARY - GMT and MidEuropa complete sale of Invitel
Mid Europa Partners, GMT Communications Partners today announced the completion of the sale of fixed telecommunications services provider Invitel to Hungarian Telephone & Cable Corp for a total consideration of EUR 470m. The agreement to sell Invitel...
BALTICS - GILD Bankers is joined by a new partner Mr. Kimmo Irpola
GILD Bankers has appointed a new partner - Kimmo Irpola, who has extensive experience in private equity investment management in Finland, Germany and also in Central and Eastern Europe. At GILD Bankers Irpola joins the Investment Management team, where...
EUROPE - ECB survey says private equity poses limited systemic risk to banking sector
European leveraged buyout activity poses a limited systemic risk to the European banking sector, says a report by the Banking Supervision Committee of the European Central Bank.
EUROPE – US interest in European offers co-invest opportunities but increases valuations
‘The sign of a bubble is when the IPO market goes from push to pull,’ said Gerard Lopez this morning at the Benelux unquote" Private Equity Congress in Luxembourg. The Skype backer explained that valuation levels are increasing and cited the example...