DACH
Going once, going twice
The discussion of what constitutes fair value has become quite poignant for J C Flowers, especially with regards to his ill-timed investments into ailing German lenders HSH Nordbank and HRE
SWITZERLAND – VCs back NovImmune with CHF 62.5m
BZ Bank has led a CHF 63m investment round in biotechnology company NovImmune SA, alongside new and existing investors including Novartis Venture Fund, Aravis Venture, and Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch among others.
GERMANY - Gleiss Lutz opens new office, bolsters corporate practice
Law firm Gleiss Lutz will open a Düsseldorf office in August. The office will be headed up by partners Dr Stefan Mutter and Dr Alexander Schwarz, who will be joined by new hires Dr Thomas Menke and Martin Hitzer, both set to join the corporate practice.
GERMANY – Yellow&Blue joins P21 backers in EUR 10m round
Yellow&Blue Investment Management has led a EUR 10m financing round in P21 GmbH alongside management and existing investors Target Partners and Conduit Ventures.
GERMANY – Consortium offers debt restructuring to PAI partner’s Monier
According to reports, a consortium of distressed investors including Apollo Management, TowerBrook Capital and York Capital have approached the lenders of roofing material company Monier GmbH with a debt restructuring proposal. The investors have already...
EUROPE - Skype founders to raise new venture fund
According to reports, Atominco Ventures, the investment vehicle of Skype co-founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, is raising a new USD 266m fund.
Europe - Merrill Lynch divests stake in Kreos Capital III
Investment bank Merrill Lynch has reportedly divested its original €150m commitment in venture debt fund Kreos Capital III, the 2006 vintage fund of Kreos Capital.
Europe - 3i confirms £732m rights issue
In a press conference this morning, 3i's CEO Michael Queen confirmed plans to raise £732m in a rights issue that would optimise the value of its current portfolio, reduce debt and strengthen the company's 'perceived weak position' in the market.
GERMANY – Houlihan Lokey boosts financial advisory services
Houlihan Lokey has hired Marc Hayn and Tim Laas to further develop the firm's financial advisory services business in Germany and Northern Europe out of the Frankfurt office.
GERMANY/ITALY - Mid Europa Partners sells three companies to CER
Mid Europa Partners has sold three companies to CER Europe Holdings, a portfolio company of Atlas Holdings.
GERMANY – HTGF and Hannover Innovations back Rodos BioTarget
High-Tech Gruenderfonds and Hannover Innovations Fonds have provided start-up financing for biotechnology firm Rodos BioTarget GmbH.
GERMANY – Linklaters appoints new head of litigation and arbitration
Linklaters has appointed Dr Rupert Bellinghausen as the new head of its litigation and arbitration practice.
GLOBAL - RBS drops global head of financial sponsors position
Royal Bank of Scotland has reportedly scrapped the position of global head of financial sponsors as a response to 'market conditions'. Fiona Paulus, who became global financial sponsors head last year, has been said to have moved to a new position as...
EUROPE - NBGI Venures boosts investment team
NBGI Ventures has hired John Milad to its investment team.
GLOBAL - Houlihan Lokey hires corporate finance MD
International investment bank Houlihan Lokey has hired Tad Flynn as managing director of corporate finance.
EUROPE/ITALY - Foresight expands European Solar Team
Foresight Group has strengthened its Solar Team with the appointment of Pietro Zerauschek as technical director in the firms Rome office.
EUROPE - Pomona Capital hires partner in Europe
International private equity firm Pomona Capital has appointed Oliver Gardey as partner.
Investment slide continues
After the lows witnessed in Q4 2008, many thought the only way was up for European private equity. But with the first quarter witnessing further contraction, many are now wondering if the market has finally hit the bottom
EUROPE - Commission proposals: a lucky escape
After the storm that followed the launch of the EU Commission's proposal for an Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive the full text has finally been released, with one prominent lawyer describing the private equity industry as having had "a lucky...