Southern Europe
Public markets and private equity
Conditions in the public markets present an opportunity on the acquisition front but restrict exit options
GLOBAL – Partners closes EUR 447m mezz fund
Swiss-based asset manager Partners Group has reached a EUR 447m final close for its global mezzanine fund, soaring past the EUR 300m target. The fund has already made 11 investments in 2008, corresponding to 50% its capital.
SPAIN – Octapris and Compas Private Equity invest in logistics firm
According to sources, family office Octapris Investments and Compas Private Equity have invested around EUR 150,000 in logistics company eContainers for a 24% stake in the company.
ITALY – MPS Ventures in IT acquisition
MPS Ventures and Sapient spa have acquired software company Gruppo Datel.
WORLD - Covington & Burling appoint two
Covington & Burling LLP has appointed Timothy Clark and Loretta Shaw-Lorello as partners in the firm's corporate practice in New York. Clark will co-chair the firm's private equity practice.
ITALY - J Hirsch acquires 65% of Panini
J Hirsch & Co through its fund ILP III has acquired a 65% stake in Panini a company specialising in payment systems.
EUROPE - EIF makes two appointments
The European Investment Fund (EIF) has appointed Richard Pelly as chief executive officer and Jean-Marie Magnette as deputy chief executive. Richard Pelly succeeds Francis Carpenter, whose term of office ended in February.
ITALY – Alto Partners in industrial manufacturer exit
Alto Partners have sold engineering firm Metalcastello to Mahindra & Mahindra and ICICI Venture Funds Management in a trade sale estimated at over EUR 100m in enterprise value.
World - Capital Dynamics promotes Cynthia Duda
Capital Dynamics has promoted Cynthia Duda to managing director. Duda has over 20 years of private equity experience.
ITALY – Sigefi invests in shoe manufacturer
Sigefi has acquired a 49.4% stake in shoe manufacturer SCHMID in a management buyout deal. The transaction was carried out through its funds Siparex Midcap and Siparex Italia, which acquired 32.9% and 16.5% of the company respectively.
PORTUGAL – APCRI names new president
The Portuguese Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, APCRI, has named Afonso Barros as its new president. Barros is executive manager of Inter-Risco, the private equity arm of bank.
ITALY - Arca Impresa acquires 40% stake in D’Orsogna Dolciaria
Arca Impresa Gestioni has acquired a 40% stake in D’Orsogna Dolciaria, a manufacturer of ingredients for the food industry acquiring. The deal valued the company at EUR 20m.
ITALY – New private equity operator Sator gets green light
Sator, the private equity and asset management company led by Matteo Arpe has been granted the go-ahead to begin fundraising in May.
SPAIN – Candover seeks financial partners for Parques Reunidos
Candover is looking for new financial partners to invest in Parques Reunidos in order to pursue the company's growth.
ITALY – MPS Ventures in double IT investment
MPS Ventures and Sapient spa have acquired software companies Datel and Cedass in a deal valued at EUR 20m.
ITALY – BS Private Equity in sale of surveillance company
BS Private Equity has sold security firm Sicurglobal to Stirling Square Capital Partners, generating a money multiple of approximately 2.5x.
GREECE – Apax to acquire TV platform
According to reports, Apax Partners is close to acquiring Greek pay television platform Nova from Multichoice Hellas S.A.
EUROPE – DN Capital reaches EUR 50m first close
Unquote” has learned from a limited partner that European early stage and growth equity investor DN Capital has reached a first close of its second fund, Global Venture Capital II (GVC II). The fund raised just under half of its EUR 100m target and...
SPAIN - Caja Madrid backs bridal firm
Caja Madrid and the private equity firm of the government of Madrid have acquired a 20% stake in bridal company Grupo Nupcial Novissima in a capital expansion deal valued at EUR 3m.
ITALY – Magenta-owned Cifa receives Chinese offer
According to reports, Magenta-owned Cifa has received an offer from Chinese heavy machinery manufacturer Changsha Zoomlion Industry Science and Technology Development in conjunction with other partners.
SPAIN – Quercus-backed Clickair to merge with Vueling
According to reports, Quercus-backed aircarrier Clickair is to merge with Vueling to create Spain’s third airline carrier.
ITALY – New player shows interest in air carrier
New Italian firm GL Investimenti, led by Giovanni Malagò and Lupo Rattazzi, is looking to invest in air carrier Air One, according to reports.
Anchors away
Headlines are rife with updates on the credit crunch and every week a new bank is said to be in need of some sort of a bailout in the US or UK, yet somehow some positive news has been sailing through on the fundraising front. Recent closings of funds...