Southern Europe
GLOBAL - Bear Stearns private equity arm to spin out
Bear Stearns Merchant Banking, the private equity arm of investment bank Bear Stearns, is to spin out into an independent company.
SPAIN – Highgrowth backs real estate search engine
Highgrowth Partners has invested approximately EUR 1m in real estate search engine Nuroa, thus closing its first deal of 2008 and its fourth overall transaction.
ITALY – Private equity interest in financial data supplier
According to reports, a number of private equity frims, including De Agostini-Investitori Associati, Bain Capital, Argan Capital, BC Partners, Apax, Clessidra and Candover, are interested in acquiring financial data provider Cerved Business Information.
ITALY – MPS Venture takes 60% stake in bio-tech firm
MPS Venture, through its fund Siena Venture, and venture firm Biofund have acquired a 60% stake in biotechnology firm Externautics in a deal valued at EUR 2.5m. The remaining stake is held by biotech firm Primm.
GLOBAL – Lime Rock closes fifth fund on USD 1.4bn
Lime Rock has closed its fifth fund, Lime Rock Partners V LP, on USD 1.4bn. The fund will continue the firms focus on global growth capital opportunities in energy projects.
ITALY – Apax led consortium acquires stake in Weather Investments
Apax Partners, Madison Dearborn Partners and TA Associates have acquired a 10% stake in Weather Investments, the Italian holding company of Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, in a deal valued at approximately EUR 1bn.
EUROPE - Carlyle closes third European real estate fund on EUR 2.2bn
The Carlyle Group has closed its third European real estate fund, Carlyle Europe Real Estate Partners III (CEREP III), on EUR 2.2bn, exceeding its EUR 1.5bn target. Including leverage, the vehicle will have an investment capacity of EUR 9bn.
ITALY - Mandarin Capital takes control of Gasket
Mandarin Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in industrial manufacturer Gasket, with the founding owners retaining the balance.
SPAIN – Axón Capital backs Virgin Play with EUR 2.5m
Axón Capital has invested EUR 2.5m in video game developer Virgin Play. The company is also backed by Japanese firm Amuse Entertainment, owner of Japanese listed company AQ Interactive and the private equity fund Spinnaker.
GLOBAL - Intel defies economic downturn
Despite the global credit meltdown and resultant sombre sentiment in the investment markets, Intel Capital has invested more than $60m across ten deals in the last couple of weeks.
EUROPE – Björn Savén as executive chairman of Industri Kapital
Industri Kapital has appointed Björn Savén as executive chairman.
SPAIN - Sabadell-backed Intermas completes duel acquisitions
Intermas Nets, a plastic mesh manufacturer 20% owned by Aurica XXI, the private equity arm of Banco Sabadell, has completed the acquisitions of Nortène Jardinage France and Nortène Pro, which specialise in meshes for use in the food, gardening and do-it-yourself...
SPAIN – Era Biotech looks for new private equity investor
Era Biotech, backed by BCN Emprèn, Invertec (part of Cidem), Galician fund Uninvest, and Reus Capital Riesgo (52.75%), has launched a new round of financing set at EUR 5m seeking to attract a new private equity investor.
SPAIN – Caixa Galicia takes 15% stake in Cafento
Caixa Galicia has taken a 15% holding in coffee retailer Cafento, with the remaining stake being held by the founding owners.
SPAIN – Private equity interest in Seur
According to reports, courier company Seur's shareholders have charged investment bank Arcano with the analysis of purchase offers, with several private equity houses and France's La Poste amongst those that have shown an interest in the business.
SPAIN – L Capital appoints new investment director
L Capital, promoted by LVMH, has appointed Susana de Antonio as a new investment director.
Some old, some new
Italy and Spain both reported record-breaking figures for private equity transactions during 2007. News might not be so rosy this time next year however; across Europe, sector reports underline the considerable slowdown following the credit crisis. Yet...