Southern Europe
SPAIN – First Reserve acquires Gamesa Solar
US-based private equity house First Reserve Corporation acquired energy producer Gamesa Solar from Gamesa, in a deal valued at approximately EUR 261m.
ITALY - Opera leads Vetrerie Riunite buyout
Opera has led the acquisition of glass manufacturer Vetrerie Riunite alongside private equity operator DGPA. The investors have acquired 52% and 24% stakes respectively. The remaining 24% is held by the vendors who reinvested in the company.
ITALY - Intesa Sanpaolo leads investment in Gruppo Margaritelli
Intesa Sanpaolo led the acquisition of a 10% stake in flooring company Gruppo Margaritelli alongside BCC Private Equity 1 in a deal valued at approximately EUR 9m.
SPAIN - Innova 31-backed Infinitec opens new round of financing
Innova 31-backed cosmetics company Infinitec has launched a new round of financing hoping to raise EUR 1m in private equity and industry investments.
SPAIN – Private equity interest in Kelme sportsware
Private equity house Tirant, supported by the Valencia Finance Institute (IVF) and the regional government are among the bidders for sport shoes company Kelme.
EUROPE - New fund Vitruvian closes on EUR 925m
New middle-market private equity firm, Vitruvian Partners, has closed its maiden fund, Vitruvian Investment Partnership (VIP), on EUR 925m, exceeding its EUR 900m target.
SPAIN – La Caixa backs pharmaceutical company Omnia Molecular
Caixa Capital Semilla, the venture capital branch of La Caixa has closed an initial EUR 600,000 round of financing for antibiotics firm Omnia Molecular.
SPAIN – Mercapital still involved in pharmaceuticals auction
Mercapital is believed to be the only private equity operator still bidding for the Spanish branch of US Bentley Pharmaceuticals. The auction process began some six months ago.
ITALY/SPAIN - Investindustrial reaches final closing on EUR 1bn
Investindustrial has reached the close of its fourth fund, Investindustrial IV LP, on EUR 1bn, EUR 200m over the initial target. The fundraising was completed in a record three month period.
ITALY - First Capital to invest in listed SMEs
First Capital is a new independent investment company set to invest in listed SMEs or pre-IPO companies following a private equity analysis model.
ITALY/FRANCE - 360° Capital closes fund on EUR 100m+
360° Capital Partners has announced the closing of its latest vehicle on over EUR 100m.
SPAIN – Mercapital names new Chairman
Spanish private equity player Mercapital has named Javier Loizaga Jimenez as its new chairman.
ITALY - Efibanca acquires design company MGM.it
Efibanca-managed Star Bridge Social Responsible Fund has acquired an 80% stake in design company MGM.it.
SPAIN - Abraxa launches two renewable energy funds
Abraxa Integrated Financial Solutions has been granted authorisation by the Spanish stock exchange regulator CNMV to launch two funds - Abraxa Capital Privado II and Abraxa Capital Privado III.
ITALY - Investindustrial gears up for Ducati P2P
It is understood that Investindustrial is preparing to delist Ducati, of which it acquired 29% stake in late 2005.
ITALY - DGPA acquires a 5.12% stake in Damiani
Italy-based private equity player DGPA has acquired a 5.12% stake in jewellery company Damiani for EUR 4.23m.
SPAIN - Bridgepoint and Mercapital line up to buy bill board business
According to reports Mercapital, Bridgepoint and N+1 are interested in acquiring bill board operator Redext from current UK-based owner GMT Communications Partners.
SPAIN/ITALY - Adara acquires transport solutions company Logos
Adara-backed Ecutronic has acquired Italian intelligent transport solutions company Logos, CZ and Data Laser.
SPAIN - Mercapital and N+1 could sell fitness chain to Virgin
Mercapital and N+1could sell fitness chain Holmes Place to Virgin Active in what would be a EUR 180m deal according to sources.
SPAIN - Investindustrial completes Elilario acquisition
Investindustrial-backed INAER has completed the acquisition of Italian helicopter operator Elilario in a deal valued at approximately EUR 155m. The deal was announced earlier this year.
GLOBAL - Bear Stearns acquires Macquarie arm
LSE-listed fund-of-funds Bear Stearns Private Equity (BSPEL) has offered A$115.5 for Macquarie Private Capital Group (MPCG), an ASX-listed private equity fund-of-funds.
SPAIN - Miura appoints Juan Rosell as its president
Miura Private Equity has announced the arrival of Juan Rosell as its new president.
PORTUGAL - Inter-Risco reaps 7.7x multiple on TvTel exit
Inter-Risco has reaped a 7.7x multiple and 30% IRR on its sale of broadcasting company TvTel to Portugal Telecom Media in a deal valued at approximately EUR 120m.
ITALY - TTVenture fund launched by banking foundations
TTVenture a new closed fund dedicated to the transfer of technological research to companies has been launched by banking institutions. The vehicle is reported to have so far raised EUR 60m.