France
EUROPE – LODH Euro Choice IV holds first close on EUR 300m
Zurich-based LODH Private Equity Limited has closed LODH Euro Choice IV on EUR 300m.
FRANCE - Turenne takes majority stake in Capsule
Turenne Capital has taken a majority stake in Capsule Technology via its fund Turenne Investissement which invested EUR 3.3m as well as an undisclosed investment from other funds under its management.
FRANCE - Abénex sells Score Groupe
Abénex has sold 100% of Score Groupe to Sodexo. The deal is subject to approval from the French competition authorities and is expected to be completed in early 2009. Abénex Capital (then ABN AMRO Capital France) initially acquired a 52% stake in the...
UK/GERMANY - Sophos to acquire Utimaco
TA Associates-backed Sophos plc intends to acquire German data security solutions company Utimaco Safeware AG for EUR 217m.
EUROPE - Private equity deals up 15% in Q2
A rise in expansion deals and the return of big buyouts has led to a 15% rise in the total combined value of European private equity transactions, according to the latest unquote" private equity Barometer, in association with Candover.
GLOBAL - KKR goes public
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is going public in a transaction that will involve buying KKR Private Equity Investors, which was listed on Euronext Amsterdam two years ago, and listing the merged entity in New York.
FRANCE - Blackstone postpones exit from hospital group Vitalia
Market rumour suggests that Blackstone has decided to end discussions with CVC and Holding Batipart, the two remaining candidates for the sale of hospital group Vitalia.
FRANCE - Vesalius BioCapital backs Genomic Vision funding round
Vesalius BioCapital has joined existing investor Société Générale Asset Management Alternative Investments (SGAM AI) in a EUR 4m series-B financing round for Genomic Vision, a French developer of nanotechnology for DNA analysis in the areas of cancer...
FRANCE - Astorg Partners acquires Photonis from AXA Private Equity
Astorg Partners has signed an agreement with AXA Private Equity to acquire a majority stake in IT company Photonis.
GLOBAL - Goldman Sachs raises USD 10bn fund
According to reports, Goldman Sachs has raised a USD 10bn fund to invest in senior loans backing leveraged buyouts.
FRANCE - PAI launches Akkadia
PAI Partners has launched Akkadia, an investor group that will manage funds dedicated to acquiring minority stakes in listed mid-cap companies. The firm will be led by Philippe Guez, who joins from Deutsche Bank.
Controlling leaks
new research suggests that leaks to the press can cost time and money and affect the certainty of deals. By Ashley Wassall
FRANCE - Partners buyout Partech International
Partech has announced the management buyout of its European subsidiary Partech International Partners. The deal was led by managing partners Philippe Collombel and Jean-Marc Patouillaud, and was supported by the firms investors, including CIC, 123Venture,...
FRANCE - Turenne Capital invests EUR 2.75m in Climadiff
Turenne Capital has invested EUR 2.75m in wine cellar business Climadiff, with EUR 628,000 coming from its Turenne Investissement fund and the balance being provided a number of other funds under its management.
FRANCE - Distressed Belvédère a private equity target?
According to reports an undisclosed company and private equity buyout house are in talks regarding a debt for equity swap in Belvédère, an alcoholic drinks manufacturer.
FRANCE - LBO France to sell Interclean
LBO France is set to divest portfolio cleaning company Interclean to The Samsic Group in a trade sale.
FRANCE - Promotions at Initiative & Finance Gestion
Initiative & Finance Gestion, a subsidiary of Natixis Private Equity, have promoted Jean-Michel Laveu and Arnaud Mendelsohn to associate directors.
FRANCE - Blue Capital increases stake in Carrefour
Blue Capital has upped its shareholding in Euronext-listed supermarket group Carrefour from 10.7% to 12.9%.
FRANCE – CAPE leads EUR 2.5m investment in h2i technologies
Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) has led a EUR 2.5m investment into technology company h2i technologies with an investment of EUR 2m, while original investors Emertec and Soridec provided the balance.
FRANCE – AXA take 57.1% of the Altares Group
AXA Private Equity has acquired a 57.1 % stake in B2B information provider Altares Group.
FRANCE - CDC Innovation and Innovacom invest EUR 750,000 in Maeglin
CDC Innovation and Innovacom have invested EUR 750,000 in Maeglin Software in a first round of financing.
FRANCE - Arts Alliance et al invest EUR 4.5m in Monte Cristo Games
Arts Alliance, 360° Capital Partners and Innoven Partenaires have invested EUR 4.5m in Paris-based online games company Monte Cristo Games.