France
Videogames: private equity plays to win
Web-based and mobile games have seen a rapid rise in popularity in recent years, with popular products such as Farmville even making mainstream news headlines. Private equity has kept a keen eye on the industry, and a number of firms operating in the...
French venture: Retail funds under threat
Franceтs FCPI and FIP funds, two tax-efficient retail vehicles created to promote venture investments, are currently being overhauled by the legislator. While the proposed 2011 budget grants them a new lease of life, a number of changes are bound to leave...
Ashurst appoints new lawyer in fund formation team
The Paris office of law firm Ashurst has appointed Tiana Rambatomanga as a senior lawyer in the fund formation team.
Buyout values bounce back in 2010
Buyout values in the UK have bounced back in 2010, suggesting improved leverage conditions. Figures from unquoteт Research suggest the market is on its way up once more. John Bakie gives an overview
Show me the exit
Talking to a few GPs recently, there seems to be a general notion that, if not already, then we are certainly entering an exit-friendly period.
Bridgepoint and Apax acquire two jewel retailers for €600m
Bridgepoint and Apax Partners have acquired French jewellery retailers Histoire D'Or and Marc Orian from Silverfleet Capital and Qualium Investissement, in a deal that values the new group at €600m.
Private equity looks to private sales clubs
Members-only sales clubs have been a surprisingly attractive investment target for private equity firms in 2010. Industry insiders have been branding this sector as тthe new cleantechт, having seen at least 10 small to medium private equity deals being...
AXA Private Equity takes over Natixis private equity arms
AXA Private Equity has completed the acquisition of portfolios managed by iXEN Partners, NI Partners and Initiative & Finance from Natixis for €507m.
ISAI closes maiden fund on €35m
ISAI has announced the second and final close of its internet venture fund ISAI Développement on €35m.
Sopromec and BTP Capital back Charles Service MBI
Sopromec and BTP Capital have backed the management buy-in of forklift rental company Charles Service with a €170,000 investment.
Sopromec invests €300,000 in Alterpro Energie
French venture firm Sopromec has provided alternative energy company Alterpro Energie with €300,000 of funding.
Idinvest appoints three partners
Idinvest Partners, formerly known as AGF Private Equity, has appointed Jean-Philippe Boige, François Lacoste and Christophe Simon as partners.
Government VCs and the venture ecosystem
Governments have been involved in funding small businesses for many years now, and government-backed VCs are a common sight in many European countries. While in the past, they might have been seen as just another source of funding for many start-up companies,...
Running for the exit?
Exit numbers are set to boom in the coming months as market conditions improve, according to research. While trade sales are very much the preferred route for private equity investors, IPOs remain unattractive. John Bakie gives an overview.
Demeter Partners backs Neotek-Ponsel buy-out
Demeter Partners has purchased Neotek-Ponsel, the environmental division of Neotek S.A.S., as part of a management buy-in.
WSA Avocats boosts team with six appointments
French law firm WSA Avocats has appointed six new associates, including three in its private equity team.
German venture: A ghost town?
At the very peak of the economic boom in 2007 the German venture market looked set to take off and regain much of the ground it had lost following the dotcom crash, with large sums of capital flowing into the hands of entrepreneurial businesses. However,...
Naxicap invests in Laboratoire Gravier
Naxicap Partners has taken a minority stake in France-based Laboratoire Gravier, a manufacturer of organic cosmetics and cleaning products.
Schultze & Braun opens Paris office
German law firm Schultze & Braun, specialising in business recovery, insolvency and restructuring, has announced the launch of a new Paris office.
Naxicap injects €1.5m into Diamoco
Naxicap Partners has invested €1.5m in French oil equipment and services group Diamoco.
French buyouts paint new picture of recovery
The French buyout market has been slower to stir compared to the UK, Germany and even the Nordics this year. Nevertheless, a surge in activity witnessed during the summer, as well as the return of sizeable upper mid-market deals, leave industry players...
123Venture injects €1.6m in Sorec
123Venture has provided French furnishings company Sorec with €1.6m of funding.
Educational investments: Private equity goes back to school
With todayтs news that Albion Ventures has given its backing to a new school, one might assume that investing in education, something primarily catered for by the state, is a rare occurrence. However, private equity and venture capital investors have...