France
Isai raises €50m for second fund
French VC Isai has held a final close on €50m for its second fund, Isai Expansion.
Numericable and Completel owners seek merger
Cinven and Carlyle Group are seeking to merge their jointly owned portfolio companies Numericable and Completel in preparation for a potential flotation, according to reports.
Large VC rounds: France outpaces neighbours
France was home to six of the 20 largest venture investments completed so far this year in Europe, with Germany following closely behind.
BNP Paribas carves out direct PE arm
Team members of BNP Paribas Private Equity have created a new company to manage the GP's direct funds, while the French bank will remain in control of the funds-of-funds business.
Colony Capital reshuffles European leadership
Jean-Romain Lhomme, Colony Capital
Eurazeo sees 2.1x return on divestments in H1 2013
Eurazeo made an average 2.1x multiple on €853m worth of disposal proceeds in the first half of this year, representing 23% of its portfolio.
BPI France invests €1.5m in Sigmaphi
State-backed BPI France has injected €1.5m into Brittany-based Sigmaphi, a specialist manufacturer of electro-magnets and particle beam transport lines for particle accelerators.
Cobepa set to buy Alpha's Babilou
Alpha Associés Conseil is in talks with Belgian investment firm Cobepa over the sale of Babilou, a France-based operator of corporate nurseries.
Azulis set to hit the road in 2014
French mid-cap GP Azulis Capital is planning to start a new fundraising effort in the first half of 2014. Managing partner Michel Rowan talks to Greg Gille about the upcoming vehicle and the firm’s evolution
TEP seeks €100m for new fund
Time Equity Partners (TEP) has launched its second venture capital fund and is seeking to raise €100m, having already collected two thirds of its target, according to reports in the French press.
CVC set to buy Campbell Europe
CVC Capital Partners has entered exclusive negotiations with Campbell Soup Company to acquire part of its European activities.
Index invests in TheFamily
Index Ventures has backed TheFamily, a Paris-based start-up accelerator.
Axa Private Equity exits Arkadin
NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) has agreed to acquire a stake of up to 91.2% in Axa Private Equity-backed collaboration service provider Arkadin International.
Lion's Picard issues €480m floating rate note
Picard Surgelés, a French portfolio company of Lion Capital, has issued a €480m floating rate note to refinance part of its debt.
Equistone indulges with Charles & Alice
Equistone Partners Europe has invested in French fruit dessert maker Charles & Alice Group, alongside existing investor CM-CIC Capital Finance.
Activa buys majority stake in listed Nexeya
Activa Capital has acquired a 57.9% stake in NYSE Euronext-listed Nexeya, alongside BPI France Investissement, and launched an offer for the remainder of the shares.
Activa-backed La Maison Bleue bolts on Crèches Baby
French childcare nursery group La Maison Bleue, which is backed by Activa Capital, has acquired day-care nursery chain Crèches Baby & Co from its parent company Delfingen.
Pamplona set to buy OGF from Astorg
Pamplona Capital Management is set to acquire French funeral services provider OGF from Astorg Partners, a deal reportedly valued at around €900m.
CM-CIC LBO Partners' Nerim acquires Boost
Internet and telecoms operator Nerim, which is backed by CM-CIC LBO Partners, has acquired software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions provider Boost.
Club Med takeover could be delayed by six months
The purchase of listed French holiday resorts group Club Med will be delayed by several months thanks to an appeal by investment fund Charity & Investment Merger Arbitrage Fund (CIAM).
Qualium backs Mériguet group
Qualium Investissement has invested in the owner buyout (OBO) of the Atelier Mériguet-Carrère group, a Paris-based arts specialist and renovator.
BlackFin buys DevisMutuelle and KelAssur
BlackFin Capital Partners has acquired insurance comparison sites DevisMutuelle and KelAssur.
French VCs in €23.5m round for Withings
State-backed investor BPI France, Idinvest Partners, 360 Capital Partners and existing backer Ventech have invested €23.5m in French smart devices business Withings.
UI Gestion injects €15m into GBNA
French GP UI Gestion has provided private healthcare group GBNA with €15m of growth capital funding.