France
FRANCE - Argos Soditic sells Jaybeam Wireless
Argos Soditic has sold Jaybeam Wireless, a manufacturer of cellular antennas for wireless telecommunications, to US-based connectors specialist Amphenol.
FRANCE - Private equity groups circle Caceis
According to reports, TPG, CVC Capital Partners and Advent International are seeking to table bids for the 45% stake for sale in asset custody company Caceis, which is valued at between EUR 1.5bn and EUR 2bn.
GLOBAL - Blackstone to invest in South Korea
According to reports, Blackstone Group will open a unit in South Korea in January.
FRANCE - Banexi and CDC inject EUR 4.7m into Kewego
Existing investors Banexi Venture Partners and CDC Entreprises have supported Kewego, an internet video company, with EUR 4.7m in a third round investment.
EUROPE - Unigestion to raise two funds in 2009
According to reports, Geneva-based Unigestion will raise two new funds in 2009: a secondaries fund targeting EUR 150m, and a sustainable development vehicle with a USD 250m target.
FRANCE - Actem Partners exits Datavance
Actem Partners has sold its minority stake in Datavance, an IT services firm, to Adecco. Founders Stephane Lévy and Eric Rozanes retain a stake and remain with the company.
FRANCE – Turenne Capital injects EUR 1.29m into Pellenc
Turenne Capital has invested EUR 1.29m into Pellenc Selective Technologies.
FRANCE - Montefiore-backed Asmodée makes three acquisitions
Montefiore Investment's portfolio company Asmodée Group, a distributor and publisher of collectible cards and board games, has made three external growth acquisitions: Belgian game distributor Hodin; Spanish game developer Cromola; and German Proludo.
FRANCE - AXA PE purchases 16.7% stake in Lusis
AXA Private Equity has acquired parts of Fairchild's shareholding in software company Lusis. Following the transaction, AXA PE will hold a 16.7% stake in the company.
FRANCE - MIDI Capital stage MBI of Savco
MIDI Capital has alongside new manager Bruno Duval and two private individuals supported an MBI of Savco, a provider of metallic structures for hydroelectric plants, by taking a minority stake in the company. The deal values the business at EUR 3-5m.
FRANCE - Tocqueville Finance strengthens fund team
Tocqueville Finance has hired Pascale Noguera as president to its investment committee. The appointment completes the investment team for the fund Tocqueville Investissement Privés (TIP) comprised of Benoit Panhard and Vincent Foucart.
FRANCE - Advent International names new director
Damien Lestang has been promoted director at Advent International.
GLOBAL - Advent International promotes 18
Advent International has promoted 18 members of its global investment team.
EUROPE - Credit Suisse sets up restructuring advisory division
It is understood that Credit Suisse has established a new division to provide restructuring advice to companies and private equity firms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
FRANCE - Crédit Agricole Private Equity strengthens team
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has hired Xavier Tassel as partner in the Special Situations team, which focuses mainly on investments in distressed companies and manages a EUR 50m Fund.
EUROPE - Value of buyouts plunges to five year low
The value of private equity-backed acquisitions across Europe fell to a five-year low in 2008 amidst continuing illiquidity in the debt markets and a worsening macroeconomic climate, dropping by 61% from 2007's record high of more than EUR 184bn to EUR...
EUROPE - Balderton holds $430m first closing of fourth fund
Balderton Capital has held the first close of its new $500m vehicle, Balderton IV, on $430m.
FRANCE - IRDI-ISCO purchases Bernard Dumas for EUR 10m
IRDI-ISCO Private Equity, alongside company management, has purchased microfiber component manufacturer Bernard Dumas from Arjowiggins, a subsidiary of Sequana, for EUR 10m.
GLOBAL - LBPE agrees to buy back more shares
Lehman Brothers Private Equity Partners has amended the liquidition enhancement agreement from July 2008 to raise the amount of shares it can buy back.
FRANCE - Astorg promotes three
Astorg Partners has appointed Alexandre Vannelle and Olivier Binet as associate directors and Edouard Guigou as associate.
FRANCE - Turenne Capital invests EUR 5m into CEDE
Turenne Capital has invested EUR 5m into thermodynamic heating business Centre Européen de Domotique et d'Energie (CEDE).
FRANCE - CDC CI acquires DGF
CDC Capital Investissement (CDC CI) has backed the management buyout of food products distributor DGF Group.
FRANCE - CAPE strengthens venture team
Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) has hired Christian Claussen as senior partner to its venture capital team.