Southern Europe
SPAIN - Qualitas acquires 20% stake in Tuenti
Market rumour suggests that Qualitas Equity Partners has acquired a 20% stake in social networking site Tuenti.
SPAIN - Sabadell and Caja Navarra back lighting manufacturer
Sabadell’s, through its fund Aurica XXI, and Corporación Caja Navarra have signed an agreement to acquire a 30% stake in lighting specialist J Feliu de la Penya, reports suggest.
SPAIN - Scope invests EUR 6.5m in Artificial Solutions
According to reports, Swedish fund Scope has invested EUR 6.5m in a series A financing round for software developer Artificial Solutions, taking a 24% stake in the business.
SPAIN - Mercapital acquires 50% of Bodybell
Mercapital has acquired a 50% stake in fragrance specialist Bodybell as part of a EUR 58m capital increase. The remaining 50% will be held by incumbent shareholder N+1.
SPAIN - Platina backs solar projects
Platina has invested EUR 128m in two photovoltaic projects in Andalusia: Cantillana and El Coronil II. The financing comes from Platina’s Mistral Energy II renewables fund through its subsidiary Anemoi, which will manage both projects.
SPAIN - Close Brothers acquires Atlas Capital
Corporate finance firm Close Brothers has acquired the remaining 55% stake in Atlas Capital Investment Bankers from the management for an undisclosed sum. The business will be re-branded Atlas Capital Close Brothers.
SPAIN - Livingstone Partners appoints new partner
Livingstone Partners has appointed Bill McDonald as partner.
SPAIN - Diana Capital reaps 3.1x from Indal sale
Diana Capital has sold its stake in lighting manufacturer Indal to Caja Duero for EUR 25m, reaping a 3.1x money multiple and a 25% IRR.
SPAIN - Carlyle interested in Riofisa
According to reports, Carlyle is among several groups that have shown an interest in acquiring property developer Riofisa, one of the assets placed on sale by troubled Spanish real estate asset manager Colonial.
SPAIN - Ysios reaches first closing on EUR 67m
Ysios Capital Partners has reached the first closing of its maiden fund, Ysios BioFund I, on EUR 67m, making it the largest biotech fund currently operating in the Spanish market.
ITALY - Equilybra reaches first closing on EUR 26m
Equilybra Capital Partners has announced the first closing of its maiden fund on EUR 26m. The vehicle expects to reach EUR 60m in commitments over the next few months.
ITALY - Cape and Helio launch EUR 70m renewables fund
Cape Natixis and Helio Partners have launched Cape Helio, a EUR 70m vehicle designed to invest in solar energy plants in Italy.
GLOBAL - HIG appoints former Apax exec
HIG Capital has appointed Tim Armstrong as managing director.
SPAIN - SGCRE launches seed capital fund
Basque Country Government-backed Sociedad de Gestión de Capital Riesgo de Euskadi (SGCRE) has launched Ekintzaile XXI, a EUR 5m fund to support seed and start up projects located in the region.
ITALY - Ferretti to receive listing authorization
According to reports, Candover and Permira-backed yacht manufacturer Ferretti is to receive the Consob’s authorization to list the company in the London and Milan Stock Exchange.
SPAIN - Santander and Caléndula invest in Gecal
The Santander Group and private equity firm Caléndula de Inversiones have each acquired a 16% stake in renewable energy firm Sociedad Gestora de Parques Eólicos de Castilla y León (Gecal).
ITALY - Clessidra interested in Cerved
Market rumour suggests that Bain Capital Partners portfolio company Teamsystem-Lince and Clessidra are interested in making a joint bid for economic data provider Cerved.
SPAIN - Doughty faces competition over Seur
According to reports, Doughty Hanson is facing competition over its proposed acquisition of a stake in courier Seur from incumbent shareholder Geopost, a subsidiary of French postal service La Poste.
ITALY - Fondamenta launches EUR 150m renewables fund
Fondamenta has launched a EUR 150m fund dedicated to investements in the renewable energy sector.
SPAIN - Catalana d’Initiatives appoints director
Catalana d’Initiatives has appointed Alfredo Gatius as director of investments.
SPAIN - MCH sells Qualytel to Bertelsmann
According to reports, MCH Private Equity has sold call centre business Qualytel Teleservices to German media group Bertelsmann's Arvato unit for an undisclosed sum.
SPAIN - Hudson acquires Helium Energy
According to reports, US fund Hudson Clean Energy is on the verge of closing the acquisition of Helium Energy, the renewable energy division of industrial and services group Hemeretik.
SPAIN - Merrill and Mercapital make offer for Vital Dent
Merrill Lynch and Mercapital are reported to have made a EUR 500m joint-bid to acquire dental services provider Vital Dent. PAI Partners, Permira and 3i are also thought to be interested in making an offer for the business.
ITALY - Cape invests EUR 10m into Fratelli Zappalà
Cape has invested EUR 10m in dairy firm Fratelli Zappalà, taking a significant minority stake in the business. The transaction was carried out via three of Cape’s funds, including Cape Regione Siciliana.