Southern Europe
LGT closes Crown Co-investment Opportunities II on $1.3bn
Closed-ended vehicle that focuses on co-investments in Europe, the US and Asia, was oversubscribed
Sella Venture Partners to launch €150m VC fund-of-funds
Vehicle will make around 20 investments and will target Europe, the US and Israel
Indaco Ventures leads $6m series-B for Mainstreaming
Existing investor United Ventures also takes part in the round, alongside Sony Innovation Fund
All eyes on venture as corporates and PE swoop in
Up to 17% of venture investments in 2018 saw the backing of an investor based outside Europe
Consilium to launch €200m fourth buyout fund
Fund IV will acquire majority stakes in Italian companies operating in a wide range of sectors
Q1 Barometer: Price mismatch knocks dealflow
European buyout activity fell to its lowest point since Q1 2016 in the first quarter of 2019, but a large-cap rebound bolstered aggregate value
KKR acquires controlling stake in Telepizza in €604m deal
GP, which already owns a 28.57% stake, will reach 56.29% and will be able to de-list the company
Crane Venture leads $3m funding round for Stratio
Company intends to use the fresh capital to further expand across Europe and the US
LeadX Capital leads $20.4m series-B for 360Imprimir
Omnes Capital, Pathena and Fundo 200M (managed by PME Investimentos) also take part in the round
Alto Partners backs Olimpia Splendid
GP invests via its Alto Capital IV fund, which closed on its €210m hard-cap in April 2018
Alkemia exits Taplast to trade
US-based Trimas also acquires the majority stake owned by Taplast CEO Paolo Santagiuliana
European direct lending up 9% but turbocharged growth wanes
Rate of growth in alternative debt deals slows from 32% in 2017, according to Deloitte's Alternative Lender Deal Tracker
Consilium, Progressio buy Gelit
GPs deploy capital from their funds Consilium Private Equity III and Progressio Investimenti III
Unquote Private Equity Podcast: Karmic balance sheets
Listen to the latest episode of the Unquote Private Equity Podcast, in which the team discusses recent developments in the impact investment space
Blackstone-backed Cirsa carves out Giga Games
Blackstone acquired Cirsa from its founder, Manuel Lao Hernández, in April last year
Artá Capital exits Mecalux in €122m deal
Sale ends a nine-year holding period for the GP, which backed the company alongside Corporación Alba
Oakley Capital invests in Spanish insurance broker Acierto
Oakley, Admiral Group and Mapfre will form a joint venture by combining Acierto with Rastreator
Lakestar leads €150m series-D for Spanish startup Glovo
Idinvest Partners and Korelya Capital also took part in the round, alongside Papa John's owner Drake Enterprises
Figuring out the ESG middle-ground
How can managers draft a policy that does not result in paralysis by over-analysis?
Indaco, Invitalia in €8m round for rental startup Sweetguest
Indaco invests via its Indaco Ventures I fund, while Invitalia deploys capital from Italia Venture I
HIG WhiteHorse invests in Italian retailer Risparmio Casa
HIG intends to support the company in further strengthening its market position in Italy
EQT launches €631m takeover bid for Parques Reunidos
Offer is made via a bidco controlled by EQT, Miles Capital and Corporación Financiera Alba
PE-backed Garda Plast sells division to trade
Gruber Logistics buys the transportation and logistics activities of Progressio's Garda Plast
Buy-and-build opportunities thrive in Italian market
In addition to the strong activity recorded on the buyout side, 2018 was also a busy year for Italy in the consolidation space