France
3i to offload more assets
3i is looking to sell at least four of its portfolio companies, according to reports, as it continues to refocus its strategy.
Elaia backs Sensorly with €1m
Elaia Partners has provided French wireless coverage maps developer Sensorly with a €1m series-A round of funding.
Butler-backed Virgin Megastore files for insolvency
Virgin Megastore, a French retail chain backed by turnaround investor Butler Capital, has filed for insolvency.
Kramer Levin promotes Dominique Penin to partner
French business law firm Kramer Levin has elected Dominique Penin as a partner.
French private equity's 2012 highlights
Last year is likely to be one to remember for French private equity practitioners – but not necessarily for the right reasons. Unquote” looks back on five significant developments that took place in 2012.
Groupama completes disposal of private equity unit
French insurer Groupama has sold Acto Mezzanine and fund-of-funds Quartilium – the remaining entities of Groupama Private Equity – to ACG Private Equity.
21 Centrale buys Oberthur from TCR Capital
21 Centrale Partners has bought French stationery manufacturer Oberthur from TCR Capital.
Gimv buys ProxiAD from UI Gestion
Gimv has acquired a majority stake in French software engineering services provider ProxiAD from UI Gestion.
Alpha to acquire two brands from PPR group
Alpha has been granted exclusivity to buy French clothing brands Vertbaudet and Cyrillus from Redcats - a PPR subsidiary - for a total enterprise value of €119m.
NiXEN misses €300m target for second fund
French GP NiXEN Partners has closed its NiXEN II fund on €164m, well short of its initial €300m goal.
Holiday deals round-up
European private equity saw an exceptionally busy Christmas period this year, with many investors wrapping up deals right at the end of 2012. Here’s a round-up of all the events of the last two weeks.
Headcount and turnover on the rise for French PE-backed businesses
French private equity-backed companies have seen their turnover and headcount grow by 9.1% and 5.2% respectively in 2011, according to a recent study by trade body AFIC and Ernst & Young.
EdRIP leads €13m series B round in Poxel
Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners (EdRIP) has led a €13m series-B round for French biopharma company Poxel.
GCS Capital buys Dexia Asset Management
Hong Kong-based GCS Capital has acquired Dexia Asset Management (DAM) from its parent company Dexia SA.
Latour Capital reaches €115m final close
French mid-cap investor Latour Capital - co-founded by former finance minister Alain Madelin - has closed its maiden fund on its €115m hard-cap.
Activa Capital appoints two
French private equity firm Activa Capital has appointed Samuelle Thevenet and Charlotte Metaireau as finance director and marketing and communications manager respectively.
Tikehau Group hires three
Tikehau Group, comprising Tikehau Investment Management (TIM) and Tikehau Capital Advisors (TCA), has hired Etienne Gorgeon, Frédéric Sallerin and Vincent Favier in its Paris office.
iXO Private Equity backs MPS buy-in
iXO Private Equity has taken a minority stake in the management buy-in of French public toilets specialist Michel Plante Systèmes (MPS).
France unquote" December 2012/January 2013
As 2012 drew to a close, drama continued to unfold in the ongoing French fiscal soap opera.
Sofinnova closes seventh fund on €240m
Sofinnova Partners has closed its seventh fund on the vehicle's €240m hard-cap.
Activa Capital's Ergalis makes bolt-on acquisition
Activa Capital portfolio company Ergalis has acquired French temporary employment and recruitment agency Aura Staffing from Segula Technologies.
Iris Capital and Siparex invest €2.2m in V3D
Iris Capital and Siparex Proximité Innovation have invested €2.2m in French software developer Vision 360 Degrés (V3D).
Leonardo & Co reshuffles governance model
French investment banking firm Leonardo & Co has united its large- and mid-cap teams under a single structure, with a common management board and supervisory board.
LBO France buys Alvest off AXA PE and Equistone
LBO France has acquired French industrial group Alvest from AXA Private Equity and Equistone.