France
Fund lifetimes: Extend and pretend?
With market fears that a capital overhang could encourage reckless investments and artificially high valuations, would it make sense to redesign the private equity fund model to allow for longer investment and holding periods? The argument has gained...
Secondary buyout activity stable despite market fears
Despite widespread concern over the number of secondary buyouts being seen in the market, unquoteт research suggests they are no more common today than they were in 2005. John Bakie investigates
IDIA et al. back Germicopa MBO
IDIA, Naxicap Partners, Ouest Croissance and UEO have backed the management buyout of French potato breeding company Germicopa, for an undisclosed amount.
Advent Venture holds final close of $120m fund
Advent Venture Partners has announced the final close of its Advent Life Sciences fund, having raised $120m.
Video Interview: 3i's Michael Queen
The private equity landscape has changed since the financial crisis, and firms will need to adopt new strategies to make a success of their portfolio companies, according to 3i's chief executive, Michael Queen.
iXO Private Equity backs CBM
iXO Private Equity has provided French medical diagnostics laboratory CBM with growth capital funding of an undisclosed amount.
NiXEN sells Groupe Plastisud in sponsorless OBO
NiXEN has sold its 60% stake in French plastic moulds manufacturer Plastisud back to the founding family and management.
Ashurst hires new lawyer for Paris corporate practice
Law firm Ashurst has appointed Joël Corcessin as counsel in its Paris corporate department.
Mid-market: The next big thing?
Even though big buyouts have staged a spectacular comeback in 2010, mid-market transactions are widely expected to be at the forefront of dealflow and value creation going forward т but strong headwinds could make for a rough, if ultimately rewarding,...
Secondary buyouts: black sheep of the industry?
Secondary buyouts have often come under fire, accused of offering poor returns for LPs. But new research suggests secondary returns can match those seen in primary buyouts. John Bakie investigates
Ergon Capital Partners buys ELITech
Ergon Capital Partners has acquired French manufacturer and distributor of in vitro diagnostic equipment and reagents ELITech Group.
Apax Paris hires two senior associates
Romain Dutartre and Nicolas Essayan have joined Apax Partners Paris as senior associates.
Isle of Man pitches for business in the new PE environment
It may seem counter-intuitive, in a particularly bleak fundraising environment, to be heavily promoting the latest iteration of a specialist tax-efficient fund structure, but that is what the Isle of Man has been doing. Julian Longhurst investigates....
Intel Summit: The future of tech investment
The Intel Capital CEO summit not only shed a light on future technology but also brought back some well known faces. Emanuel Eftimiu reports.
Carried interest tax debate re-kindled
Carried interest earned by private equity GPs is taxed as capital gains, not as income: thatтs just the way it is. The Obama administration promised to end this tax break, but the reform was quietly swept under the carpet. However, the debate looks likely...
XAnge opens Lyon office
French growth capital specialist XAnge has opened a new office in Lyon.
unquote" mobile site launched
unquoteт has launched a mobile friendly version of its website, allowing subscribers to check on all the latest deal and industry news while on the move.
Asia's growing importance in European M&A
The sale process surrounding 3i portfolio company Hyva would not only be a major exit for the investor, but demonstrates the increasingly global nature of M&A. The proposed тЌ600m sale has received interest from not only European private equity houses,...
Naxicap and SCR Provencale et Corse invest €1.15m in SolarQuest
Naxicap Partners and SCR Provençale et Corse have backed French energy equipment provider SolarQuest with €1.15m of growth capital funding.
PAI-backed Yoplait sale underway
A PAI spokesperson has confirmed the upcoming start of the sale process, according to media reports.
A new dimension
Although the secondaries market has increased substantially in size over the past few years, little progress has been achieved in making transaction processes more efficient and transparent. This could be about to change as Emanuel Eftimiu finds out....
Apax tech disposal marks venture exit
Apax Partners has sold much of its remaining venture portfolio, marking its exit from European early-stage investing. While it was once one of the largest investors in UK venture, the firm has been winding down its early-stage operations for many years....
Naxicap backs Groupe MJA
Naxicap has provided French communication agency Groupe MJA with growth capital funding of an undisclosed amount.
The Silver Lining
The cost of the recession to private equity has been all too evident, but is there a silver lining? As we move into a period of increased movement on the exit front, some investors believe a greater understanding of what makes portfolio companies tick...