France
EUROPE - EVCA to change its set-up
The European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) today announced at its annual conference in Rome that it is to become an umbrella for three independent groups dealing with large buy-out houses, mid-market buy-out companies and venture...
FRANCE - IPO spins-off Ceradel
IPO, the listed subsidiary of CM-CIC, has piloted the carve-out of ceramic and glass art equipment provider Ceradel from parent company Imerys.
EUROPE - EVCA stats show record 2006 fundraising and investment
Final figures for European private equity activity and performance were announced by EVCA today, confirming a booming buyout industry and continued UK dominance. The figures also showed something of a revival for European venture, with €17bn allocated...
FRANCE - Nexway receives EUR 5m from CM-CIC, Turenne and XAnge
Electronic software distributor Nexway has raised EUR 5m in a second round of financing arranged by Chausson Finance.
FRANCE - CAPE makes 3x from sale of Béryl to Vivarte
The sale by Crédit Agricole Private Equity of shoe distributor Béryl to Charterhouse-backed Vivarte has been approved by market authorities.
FRANCE - Truffle Venture makes two good exits
Truffle venture has sold its entire stake in IT maintenance business Isis MPP to Eurilogic and has divested about a quarter of its shares in marketing agency Netbooster.
FRANCE - Bryan, Garnier & Co appoints director of structured products
Independent investement bank Bryan, Garnier & Co has appointed Henri-Pierre Jeancard as a director in charge of structured products origination, in the Paris office.
FRANCE - Activa continues to grow
Mid-cap private equity firm Activa Capital has hired Julien Di Marco as an Investment Analyst.
FRANCE - Summit Partners takes 20% of Vente-Privée.com
Summit Partners has made a growth capital investment in online clothing retailer Vente-Privée in exchange for a 20% equity stake.
FRANCE - Unigrains appoints new president
The board of directors of agriculture-oriented investor Unigrains has appointed Philippe Pinta as president, replacing Henri de Benoist.
FRANCE - Ciclad sells remainder of shares in Entrepose Contracting
Small-cap private equity investor Ciclad has sold its 11.45% shareholding in energy contractor Entrepose Contracting to construction group Vinci, which intends to acquire the whole business.
FRANCE - Towerbrook makes 3x from sale of InfoPro to Apax
Towerbrook Capital Partners has generated 3x its money on the sale of professional information group InfoPro Communications to Apax Partners SA.
FRANCE - AXA Private Equity backs buyout of payment software business
In a management buyout, AXA Private Equity has acquired the majority of the shares of Welcome Real-time, a provider of payment software for financial institutions and payment networks.
FRANCE - European Capital invests EUR 55m in Go Voyages
European Capital has invested EUR 55m in senior and junior mezzanine bonds and preferred and common equity in travel agent Go Voyages. The company was the subject of a buyout supported by Financière Agache Private Equity earlier this year.
FRANCE - Avenir Tourisme invests in 5-a-side football
Urban Football, a company running 5-a-side football centres has received EUR 1m in equity and convertible bonds from Avenir Tourisme, its managers and other existing stakeholders.
SPAIN/FRANCE - CVC goes solo for Altadis bid
Following recent rumours of disagreements between CVC and PAI Partners in relation to their joint bid for tobacco business Altadis, CVC is said to be preparing an offer on its own.
FRANCE - GIMV hires Dubus
Belgian-based Investment company GIMV has hired Geoffroy Dubus to head investments in the ICT sector in France. Dunus will also assist with the opening of GIMV's French office. Dunus was previously a partner at French private equity house Innovacom,...
FRANCE - Stirling Square sells GDT to Bridgepoint in $343m deal
Stirling Square Capital Partners has signed an agreement to sell Global Design Technologies (GDT) to Bridgepoint for $343m. GDT is a France/US-headquartered manufacturer of swaged permanent coupling systems for rigid tubing and pipes used in the aerospace,...
SPAIN/FRANCE - CVC and PAI on row over Altadis split
Rumour has it that CVC and PAI Partners are in disagreement over how the two private equity firms will split control of the tobacco business.
FRANCE - Weinberg appoints head of real-estate funds
French buyout house Weinberg Capital Partners has named Laurent Halimi as partner with overall responsibility for real-estate funds.
FRANCE - Argos Soditic backs MBI of Chronolyss
Argos Soditic has backed the management buy-in of Chronolyss, a company providing services to diabetic patients.
FRANCE - Implanet Partners receives EUR 13m from Franco-German syndicate
Bordeaux-based medical technology start-up Implanet has received EUR 13m from a syndicate led by Auriga Partners, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners and Wellington Partners.
FRANCE - Apax's PIPE in GFI falls through
A capital increase which would have granted Apax Partners 27% in listed computer services company GFI Informatique has been cancelled, following an executive board meeting.
FRANCE - Institutional LPs give advice on reporting
Ten fresh recommendations were issued this month by the French association of institutional investors (Af2i), in order to improve and standardise the reporting methods of private equity firms.