Southern Europe
Clave Mayor and Sodena-backed APEX acquire Papas Vicente Vidal
A portfolio company of Clave Mayor and Sodena has acquired Spanish family business Papas Vicente Vidal via a capital increase of just over €4m.
OMERS Private Equity strengthens team
OMERS Private Equity has appointed Martin le Huray as a European director.
BPEP injects €7m in Casesa
Baring Private Equity (BPEP) has invested €7m in the latest capital increase carried out by security company Castellana de Seguridad (Casesa).
South Africa: Down, but not out
South African private equity market figures reveal a country still suffering from the financial crisis. Fortunately, sentiment points to a rosier future. Kimberly Romaine reports
unquote” European Overview hitting desks
Look out for the latest edition of the unquote" European Overview, which is due to hit desks today. As usual, the monthly edition provides unquote" subscribers with a summary of the European private equity activity over the past four weeks, featuring...
Italy: Buyout activity falls despite stable economy
In contrast to other Southern European countries, Italy’s banking system held up relatively well during the financial crisis. But has its private equity industry shown the same resilience?
Private equity putting money in the banks
Private equity has touched on almost all of Europe’s major industries over the years. However, the financial services have historically represented a relatively minor target group for buyout houses, despite its prominence in Europe’s largest economies.
Alpha looking to exit Metallum and Rhiag
Alpha Associates is set to sell two of its largest portfolio companies, Metallum and Rhiag, according to media reports.
Industry pushes ahead with fundraisings
Fundraising is surging forwards in early 2011, with a raft of funds launching and reaching closes in the past month. Following news that Blackstone has raised $15bn for one of the largest private equity funds ever seen, how are other players responding...
Inveready and Caja Navarra invest in Neurotec Pharma
Inveready Seed Capital and Caja Navarra have acquired a 34% stake in pharmaceutical firm Neurotec Pharma.
Exits: Light at the end of the tunnel?
As 2010 saw buyout activity resurge from an exceptionally quiet 2009, the PE-industry was hoping the exit market would also come alive. Last year however proved to be far less favourable for the exit market than many had hoped for. Is this about to change...
Southern Europe unquote" February 2011
Investindustrial and Palladio Finanziaria have acquired 50.68% of Italy’s biggest racetrack and sports betting manager, Snai, for €136m.
South Africa congress looks ahead
unquote’s 4th annual South Africa Private Equity Congress kicks off in two weeks’ time, and will see many of Africa’s biggest investors come together to discuss the issues facing this up-and-coming market.
Spain welcomes Extremadura Avante
The founders of private equity firm Extremadura Avante have applied to Spain’s Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores to approve its creation.
Espiga acquires 5% of Softonic
Spanish mid-market house Espiga Capital has bought a 5% stake in Barcelona-based software download portal Softonic.
Riverside invests in Orliman
Global private equity firm The Riverside Company has invested in Spanish company Orliman, a Valencia-based manufacturer of non-invasive orthopaedic products.
Cipio hits €137m final close for Fund VI
Direct secondaries specialist can now invest in US.
Deal activity down but buyouts surge ahead
Private equity deal activity fell for a second consecutive quarter at the end of 2010 despite widespread optimism over the market’s outlook, according to figures from the latest unquote” Private Equity Barometer.
Investindustrial and Palladio-backed Global Games acquires Snai
Investindustrial and Palladio Finanziaria-backed Global Games is poised to acquire 50.68% of Italian company Snai from Snai Servizi at a price of €2.36 per share.
Permira and AXA to make €500m bid for Opodo
Permira and AXA Private Equity are set to make a €500m joint bid tomorrow for Opodo, the online travel unit of Amadeus IT Holding.
Have your say: Industry positive on 2011 dealflow
Readers of unquote” are positive about the outlook for this year, but remain concerned about the future, according to our end of year survey.
Change buys Rossopomodoro from Quadrivio
Change Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Vesevo, owner of casual dining restaurant chain Rossopomodoro, from Italian mid-market specialist Quadrivio.
Reus Capital and Inverpyme exit ProAseptic Technologies
Venture capital firms Reus Capital and Inverpyme have sold ProAseptic Technologies to the Spanish subsidiary of Sealed Air Corporation.
Diana Capital II holds first close on €100m
Spanish private equity firm Diana Capital has held a first closing for its second fund, Diana Capital II, on €100m.