France
French mid-market continues steady climb
French mid-market buyouts staged a startling recovery last year, confirming that the 2010 uptick wasn’t a fluke – but can they keep climbing back to historical levels in the face of a tough environment? Greg Gille reports
Spanish bolt-on for Alven's JolieBox
French online cosmetics retailer JolieBox, backed by Alven Capital, has acquired Spanish competitor Glamourum.
Fondations buys Buffet Crampon from Argos Soditic
Fondations Capital has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire French musical instruments maker Buffet Crampon from Argos Soditic.
VC-backed Deezer looking to raise €100m
French music streaming website Deezer is looking to raise a further €100m of funding, according to media reports.
Chequers and Abenex looking to exit Salins
Chequers Capital and Abénex Capital have hired Lazard to manage the sale of French salt producer Salins International, according to media reports.
Stehlin & Associés appoints two partners
French law firm Stehlin & Associés has promoted Svetlana Tokoucheva and Cyrille Boillot as partners in its corporate/M&A department.
BC European Capital IX closes at €6.5bn hard-cap
BC Partners has closed its ninth European Capital fund at the vehicle's €6.5bn hard-cap.
NiXEN's Babeau Seguin makes first bolt-on
NiXEN's portfolio company, French home construction group Babeau Seguin, has acquired competitor Maisons et Jardins.
PE-backed EOS Imaging in €120m IPO
French medical devices business EOS Imaging, a portfolio company of Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners (EdRIP) and NBGI Ventures among other investors, has listed on NYSE Euronext.
AFIC calls for staff stakes in PE-backed firms
French private equity trade body AFIC has drafted a proposal to simplify and extend the incentivisation mechanism for employees of PE-backed businesses.
Perceva takes majority stake in BPI
Perceva Capital has taken a majority stake in French HR consulting firm BPI, through a capital increase and the purchase of existing shares in the business.
Leonardo appoints new managing director in Paris
European investment banking firm Leonardo & Co has hired Eric Toulemonde as managing director in its Paris office.
CAPE backs AEMI OBO
Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) has invested €1.5m in the owner buyout of French industrial parts manufacturer AEMI.
France unquote” February 2012
French buyout house PAI partners has confirmed it is aiming to raise a £3bn fund this year – potentially staging a comeback following the 2009 power struggle that led to its previous vehicle being significantly downsized.
Abenex appoints new investment manager
French private equity firm Abenex Capital has appointed Nicolas Bertrand as investment manager.
Newfund supports Izeos
Newfund has made a growth equity investment in Izeos, a French company offering a range of online services to medical professionals.
French presidential election spells bad news for PE industry
The regulatory landscape is getting tougher across Europe for private equity - but French players might have more to worry about than most, as presidential candidates unveil measures that could affect the industry. Greg Gille reports
Hogan Lovells appoints new partner in Paris
Hogan Lovells has appointed Xavier Doumen as a partner at the private equity practice in Paris.
France unquote" January 2012
Troubled French mid-cap GP AtriA Capital Partenaires has merged with counterpart Naxicap.
Entrepreneur Venture injects €1m in TBS Group
French growth capital investor Entrepreneur Venture has injected €1m into marketing software developer TBS Group.
FSI Régions backs MBI of EBH from RJD
FSI Régions, previously known as Avenir Entreprise, has backed an MBI of European Boating Holidays (EBH) from RJD Partners.
Siparex closes €120m midcap fund
French GP Siparex has held an interim close for the Siparex Midcap II vehicle on its €120m target.
Indigo promotes two
Indigo Capital has promoted Burkhard von Wangenheim and Guillaume Claire to investment manager.
IDI reaps 3x money on SFPI exit
Listed private equity fund IDI has sold its minority stake in French building materials manufacturer and industrial supplier SFPI for €18.4m.