Southern Europe
Syntegra and Index invest in Moleskine
Existing owner Syntegra Capital and new investor Index Ventures have injected fresh capital into Italian notebook and diary brand Moleskine.
Portfolio companies paying down debt piles
Like many industries, private equity was hit hard by the financial crisis and ensuing recession, with tough fundraising conditions, few exit opportunities and widespread restructurings. But new research from SVGA suggests private equity has strengthened...
Trilantic exits Spumador via trade sale
Global private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners has sold Italy's Spumador to private label soft drinks brand Refresco.
Benelux deal activity continues to fall
For many European regions, 2010 was a brighter year, with private equity activity seeing a slow revival from the doldrums of 2009. But the Benelux market has continued to see a falling number of deal completions. John Bakie gives an overview
Ibersuizas-backed Festa goes into administration
Ibersuizas portfolio company Festa has gone into administration, marking the second private equity-backed fashion retailer to enter bankruptcy proceedings in a week.
Intesa and Innogest-backed Silicon Biosystems forms US subsidiary
An Italy-based portfolio company of Atlante Ventures and Innogest Capital have formed a US subsidiary to focus on its commercial operations.
Germany: Lagging behind?
While France and the UK saw a dramatic return of mega-buyouts in the summer of 2010, Europe’s other powerhouse economy, Germany, was host to just a single deal valued at over €1bn. John Bakie investigates
Proa-backed Palacios acquires Tortillas Palacios
Proa, Partners Group and Talde-backed Grupo Palacios Alimentación has acquired meat product manufacturer Tortillas Palacios.
Blackstone leads €19m Rive Technology round
US buyout giant Blackstone has led a €19m financing round for nanotechnology spin-off Rive Technology.
Clave Mayor participates in €12.6m Nextel round
Clave Mayor has participated in a €12.6m funding round for Nextel Engineering Application Modernización, an affiliate of Nextel Engineering Systems.
AC Desarrollo-backed Musgo files for bankruptcy
AC Desarrollo, the private equity unit of Ahorro Corporación, has been forced to initiate bankruptcy proceedings on behalf of interior design chain Musgo.
Hands appeals against Citi ruling
Terra Firma CIO Guy Hands has appealed against the US court ruling that cleared Citigroup of all charges in the EMI case, according to reports.
European buyouts triple in 2010
Buyout activity across Europe bounced back in 2010, lifted by a resurgent mid-market as well as several transactions at the top end of the value spectrum. The overall value of buyouts totalled €63bn last year, a substantial increase from the €24bn...
ECI exits WCI Consulting
Private equity group ECI Partners has sold WCI Consulting to Indian technology firm TAKE Solutions.
Altius appoints Dr Eric Warner as head of IR
Altius Associates Ltd has appointed Dr Eric Warner as head of investor relations.
SICI invests €500,000 in Ecopol
Sviluppo Imprese Centro Italia (SICI) has invested €500,000 in Ecopol, an Italian producer of water-soluble and biodegradable products.
Atlante Private Equity announces first close
Intesa Sanpaolo has announced the first closing of the Atlante Private Equity fund on €150m.
Portuguese fundraisers feel the strain
Portuguese GPs will struggle to raise funds in 2011. Fears that the country will follow Greece and Ireland in requiring a bail-out means that most players are likely to wait until conditions have improved to launch their next vehicle. Susannah Birkwood...
Caser launches €40m Spanish fund
Spanish insurance company Caser has launched a private equity fund with a target of €40m.
DC Advisory Partners announces growth plans
DC Advisory Partners has announced plans it is to strengthen its business across Europe.
Southern European Private Equity: 2010 in review
The year 2010 saw significant improvement across the private equity market in Southern Europe. Read on for a month-by-month summary of the regional highlights.
M&A and tax law firm Bichot & Associés launched
Bichot & Associés, a law firm specialising in M&A and taxation, has launched.
Axis invests €1m in Sabirmedical
Axis Participaciones has invested €1m in medical technology firm Sabirmedical via the FESpyme private equity fund.
CVC to buy 25 hospitals for €900m
CVC Capital Partners has agreed to buy the Spanish hospital unit of Capio, the Swedish healthcare group owned by Apax and Nordic Capital, in a deal valued at €900m.