Nordics
FINLAND - Viking, Eqvitec and FII sell Iqua to Savox
Viking Venture, Eqvitec and government-backed Finnish Industry Investment has sold the wireless mobile accessories developer, Iqua, to Finland-based Savox Group.
EUROPE/US - GI Partners closes $2bn third fund
GI Partners has held a final close of its latest vehicle, GI Partners Fund III, on close to $2bn, representing more than a 35% increase from the size of its predecessor.
NORWAY - Kinserdal leaves Borea Opportunity
Finn Kinserdal has left his position as partner of Norwegian private equity firm Borea Opportunity Management.
DENMARK - Danske Kapitalanlæg sells M&J Industries
Danish small-cap buyout house Danske Kapitalanlæg has divested waste recycling equipment and services business M&J Industries in a trade sale to listed Finnish company Metso, a supplier of sustainable technology and services.
GLOBAL- Stanford University puts $1bn of assets on the block
Palo Alto-based Stanford University, one of the largest endowments, has put as much as $1bn of its illiquid investments up for sale in an effort to raise cash for the cash-strapped institution.
EUROPE - Former Northern Rock CEO appointed adviser for Apollo
Adam Applegarth, the former CEO of failed UK bank Northern Rock, has joined distressed debt investor Apollo Management as a senior advisor to the firm's European fund.
NORWAY - Herkules takes 54% stake in Projectiondesign
Norwegian buyout house Herkules Capital has acquired a 54% stake in Projectiondesign, a developer of high performance projectors, from Eger Group.
GLOBAL - KKR finally completes KPE merger
After over a year of delays and revisions, US-based private equity giant KKR has now completed its merger with its Amsterdam-listed affiliate, KKR Private Equity Investors.
GLOBAL - Hellman closes $9bn seventh fund and management shake-up
International private equity house Hellman & Friedman has announced the final close of its seventh and largest fund, HFCP VII, on a little under $9bn, as well as a major shake-up of the firm's management team.
EUROPE - GPs must re-invent, LPs must invest
Europe's GPs must change their ways to emerge successful from the current market conditions, and need LPs to back them in order to do so. This was the theme this morning at the fourth annual Deutsche unquote" Private Equity Congress in Munich.
Double-dipping
The number of private equity exits in 2008 virtually fell of a cliff compared with 2007, according to a study by advisory firm Ernst & Young. The figures come as no surprise, yet the questions looms whether or not the industry is prepared for the implications...
A long and winding road
Rikke Eckhoff talks through 20 years of private equity with industry pioneer and veteran Bjorn Saven, founder and executive chairman of IK Investment Partners
Split LP universe
Market talk suggests the power balance has shifted in favour of LPs. Thomas Wold, investment director at Storebrand, shares his views with Rikke Lilla Eckhoff
FINLAND - Pöyry plc's Salminen joins CapMan's adviser network
Finnish private equity firm CapMan has appointed Teuvo Salminen, deputy president of the consulting and engineering company Pöyry plc, to its adviser network, starting January 2010.
GLOBAL - KKR appoints Levin as head of IR; merger with KPE expected Thursday
KKR has appointed Jonathan Levin to the newly created position of head of investor relations, a move designed to prepare the private equity firm as it becomes a publicly listed company.
EUROPE - Baird expands institutional equity services team
Baird has hired Said DeSaque as director of institutional sales and investment strategy to be based in London.
GLOBAL - HSBC names Alternative Investments managing director
HSBC has promoted the present head of real estate at HSBC Alternative Investments, Chris Allen, to managing director of the unit.
SWEDEN - Chalmers in SEK 2.3m funding for Aluwave
Chalmer Innovation Seed Fund has alongside Innovationsbron and existing backers participated in a SEK 2.3m funding round for Aluwave, a LED technology company.
NORWAY - Hitec, Aker Capital Fund and Camar bid for Bjørge ASA
Norwegian private equity fund HitecVision, Converto Capital Management via Aker Capital Fund, and investment company Camar, have launched a voluntary cash offer for listed technology company Bjørge ASA, valuing the business at NOK 483m.
UK/EUROPE - Wellington leads $16m Livebookings funding
Pan-European venture capital firm Wellington Partners has led a $16m funding round for online restaurant marketing and reservations service Livebookings, along existing investors.
UK/EUROPE - Impax appoints head of sales
Environmentally focused Aim-listed investor Impax Asset Management has appointed John McDonald as head of sales and marketing.