France
Venturing into the unknown
With distributions down since the internet bust, exit doors shut and fundraising at a standstill, the venture capital industry in the US - and elsewhere - is at a crossroads. Smaller firms, lower returns and adapting to a global market are the next likely...
Mezzanine to soldier on
Lenders are currently struggling under the weight of an underperforming legacy portfolio, but there may be brighter prospects on the horizon. Emanuel Eftimiu reports from Paris
FRANCE - Acto to purchase majority of Inventoriste
Acto Capital has agreed to acquire approximately 87% of the shares and voting rights in Alternext-listed retail services business Inventoriste from Berberine EURL, Amiral Gestion, B&G SARL, Financier John Beslay and Jean-Sebastien Beslay.
FRANCE - Quilvest PE invests EUR 6.5m into Swoon
Quilvest Private Equity has backed JDI Fashion, the owner of children's clothing retail chain Swoon, with an investment of EUR 6.5m.
GLOBAL - CALPERS to allocate extra $9bn to private equity
The California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS) is considering a new asset mix, which could see the LP allocate an additional $9bn to private equity.
EUROPE - RHJ joins suitors for European GM assets
According to reports, Belgian buyout firm RHJ International is interested in acquiring General Motor's European assets, and is said to consider an offer for Adam Opel GmbH, amongst others.
FRANCE - BNP Développment in EUR 5.2m round for Télé-Animaux
BNP Développment has lead a EUR 5m financing of Télé-Animaux (formerly Buena Media), a media group focused on pets, to support the firms external growth plans. BNP Dévelopment provided nearly half of the total investment.
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.
FRANCE - AXA PE poised to acquire Areva unit
According to reports, AXA Private Equity is planning to team up with an industrial partner to purchase global nuclear energy company Areva's power distribution unit, which is thought to be worth around EUR 3bn.
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...
FRANCE - Groupe Siparex names new president
Groupe Siparex, the parent company of Sigefi Private Equity, has named Bertrand Rambaud as its new president, effective 31 July.
FRANCE - CIC Mezzanine closes EUR 107m fund
CIC Mezzanine has closed its second fund on EUR 107m, twice the size of its predecessor.
EUROPE - NBGI Venures boosts investment team
NBGI Ventures has hired John Milad to its investment team.
FRANCE - Citizen Capital invests EUR 800,000 into G2J
Citizen Capital has invested EUR 800,000 into video-conference company G2J, taking a minority share in the company.
FRANCE – PAI partners denies public offer for Kaufman & Board
Following market rumors, PAI Partners has stated that it does not intent to make a public offer for the outstanding Kaufman & Board shares it does not yet own. PAI currently hold a 85.66% share of the property developer.
FRANCE - New EUR 300m Government fund to support SMEs
The French Government is set to launch a new EUR 300m fund to invest in fragile French SMEs, with up to EUR 200m to be provided by private investors including AGF and AXA Private Equity.
GLOBAL - Houlihan Lokey hires corporate finance MD
International investment bank Houlihan Lokey has hired Tad Flynn as managing director of corporate finance.
FRANCE - CDC-backed Artesys buys Naviline
CDC Capital Innovation-backed Artesys, an information services company, has purchased sector player Naviline from the Soft Company and merged the businesses to create Groupe Artesys.