France
Think positive
The liquidity troubles which dominated the latter half of 2007 had looked set to spill over into 2008. However, a destabilisation of the private equity industry in 2008 does not feel imminent. Private equity is cyclical and its investments are often much...
Q&A - Small is beautiful
After an active and fruitful year of investment and fundraising in 2007, Patrick Lissague, director general of UGF Private Equity, and Activa Capital partner Charles Diehl talk to Francois Rowell about the challenge the year ahead will provide
EUROPE - Investcorp Technology Fund exceeds target by $100m closing on $500m
Investcorp Technology Partners (ITP) has completed the fundraising for its latest vehicle Investcorp Technology Partners III (ITP Fund III) raising $500m. The final close exceeded the fund's initial target of $400m and beats the $300m raised for ITP Fund...
FRANCE - Seventure takes 10% of Sidetrade
Seventure Partners has acquired a 10% stake in software firm Sidetrade. In 2007 Sidetrade recorded a turnover of EUR 7.34m, a 34% increase on the previous year. The company forecasts growth of 22% between 2007 and 2011.
FRANCE – Psilos Group lead Seventure in EUR 20m financing of Mauna Kea Tech
Psilos Group has led a EUR 20m financing round for Mauna Kea Technologies, which included contributions from Seventure and existing investor Creadev. Psilos invested EUR 14m while both Seventure and Creadev invested EUR 3m respectively. The new round...
FRANCE - A Plus Finance invest EUR 2m in Novalys
A Plus Finance invested EUR 2m in software company Novalys. Novalys generates 40% of its turnover in Exports. The investment will be used to continue its expansion abroad.
France – Wellcome Trust leads EUR 25m Endotis financing
Wellcome Trust has led a EUR 25m second financing round for Endotis Pharma, which included contributions from Eneavour Vision, NIF Ventures and existing investor Sofinnova Partners.
FRANCE - Gérard Horvilleur named president of Dahlia Partners
Gérard Horvilleur has replaced Jacques Darcy as president of Dahlia Partners, the fund of funds subsidiary of Natixis Private Equity.
EUROPE - Index closes first ventures growth fund on EUR 400m
Index Ventures has closed its latest fund Index Ventures Growth I LP on EUR 400m. The fund was formed to address the market opportunity created by the maturation of Europe’s start-up industry and the movement of traditional late-stage investors into...
FRANCE – I-Source Gestion closes new fund I-Source 3
I-Source Gestion has closed I-Source 3 on EUR 60m. The fund will be used to continue I-Source’s early-stage venture investments in information and communication technology companies in Western Europe.
Q & A – Funds-of-funds speak out
Christophe Bavière of AGF Private Equity, Vincent Gombault of AXA Private Equity and Dan Kjerulf of Danske Private Equity discuss the funds-of-funds landscape.
The problem with sovereign wealth funds
Stuart Mills considers the impact of Sovereign Wealth Funds on the private equity market.
FRANCE – LBO France rumored to seek sale of Cegelec
It is believed that LBO France has hired Rothschild & Co and Hawkpoint Partners Ltd as advisors for the possible sale of Cegelec, a company it values at EUR 1.8bn.
FRANCE - Stéphanie Courtadon joins Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Stéphanie Courtadon has joined Crédit Agricole Private Equity as head of marketing and investor relations from AXA.
FRANCE - Argos Soditic exits Dorotennis after a second MBO
In a second MBO, BCBG Max Azria Group acquired Dorotennis in a deal which saw Argos Soditic exit the company. Financial details were not disclosed.
FRANCE – Demeter Partners invest EUR 1.2m in Panosol
Demeter Partners has led a series-A round of funding for start-up Panosol investing EUR 1.2m. The founders retained a majority of the capital.
FRANCE – Platina Finance exits Société Française d’Eoliennes
Platina Finance exited its 25% share in Société Française d’Eoliennes with the sale of the company to Sogernia. Lazard was appointed by Platina and other investors to organise the auction process which saw around 20 offers being placed for Société...
FRANCE – Astorg Partners exits Pizza Pino
Astorg Partners has sold its 76% share of restaurant chain Pizza Pino, valued at around EUR 32m, back to founder André Sfez and businessman Lucien Urano. The deal saw André Sfez use his veto to block an exclusive deal which had been set up between Astorg...