Italy
Assietta acquires Pamfood
Assietta Private Equity has acquired a 90% stake in Ligurian speciality food producer Pamfood from the Maggiali family.
Investindustrial nears €1.25bn hard cap
Southern European GP Investindustrial is in the final stretch of raising its fifth fund, with more than €1bn in commitments already. Kimberly Romaine reports
Comecer acquires Veenstra
Fondo Italiano portfolio company Comecer SpA has acquired Dutch nuclear medicine technology and software firm Veenstra Instruments BV.
Advanced Capital hires adviser
European fund-of-funds Advanced Capital has announced the hire of Alberto Clô as special adviser for investment in the energy sector.
Cognetas rebrands as Motion Equity Partners
Mid-market firm Cognetas has been rebranded as Motion Equity Partners, operating out of Paris and Milan.
Ambienta announces international expansion and new hires
Italian private equity firm Ambienta SGR has announced the expansion of its business to Munich, to capitalise on investment opportunities in Germany and Central and Northern Europe.
Southern Europe unquote" March 2012
The Italian private equity and venture capital industry seems set for a change. Last year, as the banks became less willing to provide credit and more concerned with their own balance sheets, the number of buyouts supported by debt fell.
Alto Partners acquires Trevisanalat
Alto Partners has acquired Italian mozzarella producer Trevisanalat. The acquisition was completed through the formation of a newco, in which Alto holds a 77.2% stake.
Montezemolo acquires Bellco
Montezemolo & Partners SGR has acquired biomedical company Bellco from Argos Soditic and MPVenture.
Private equity set to take centre stage in Italy
The current lack of bank lending for family-run SMEs spells good news for Italian private equity. But a growing focus on innovation might also give venture a much-needed boost. Amy King reports
Equinox to acquire stake in Italy’s third largest bank
Equinox Investment is looking to buy a significant part of the 15% stake in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena being sold by its core shareholder, according to reports.
Premafin offer stalls for Sator and Palladio
The offer made by private equity funds Palladio Finanziaria and Sator to invest up to €450m in Premafin, parent company of troubled Italian insurer Fondiaria-SAI, has run aground due to penalty clauses in an earlier bid from insurance company Unipol...
Sator and Palladio launch Premafin offer to challenge Unipol
Private equity funds Palladio Finanziaria and Sator have made a binding offer to invest up to €450m in Premafin, parent company of troubled Italian insurer Fondiaria-SAI.
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.
CCMP, Axis and Corpfin back Volotea
CCMP Capital, Axis Participaciones Empresariales and Corpfin Capital have contributed to a €50m funding round to support the launch of Barcelona-based low-cost airline Volotea.
Ambienta acquires Tower Light
Italian private equity house Ambienta SGR has invested €13.5m in Italian lighting tower producer Tower Light, in exchange for an 82% stake, as part of a leveraged buyout.
Investindustrial to sell Ducati
Italian private equity firm Investindustrial is to sell producer of top-end motorcycles Ducati in the coming months in a deal that could be worth up to €1bn, according to reports.
Southern Europe unquote" February 2012
Spain calls them mileuristas, temporary workers earning at most €1,000 per month. In Italy they are the precari, so-called due to the precarious nature of their temporary work contracts, and in Portugal they are the geração nem-nem, the “neither...
Monti lays out plans to bolster Italian VC market
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has introduced changes to the rules regarding venture capital investments in SMEs. Amy King reports
Concerns over “unfair” Fondo Italiano
Italy’s Fondo Italiano has been on a roll in recent weeks, completing five deals in just seven days over the festive period. But mid-market professionals in Italy are concerned the government-backed fund could be introducing unfair competition. Amy...
PEP invests €18m in Allsystem
Private Equity Partners SGR (PEP) has injected €18m into Italian security company Allsystem Group in exchange for a significant minority stake. Investment took place through Private Equity Partners Fund IV, which closed on €300m in 2007.
Moleskine attracts PE buyers
Private equity players are thought to be circling Syntegra and Index-backed Italian notebook and diary brand Moleskine.
Buyers circle Permira-backed Valentino
Permira-backed Valentino Fashion Group has attracted the interest of potential buyers following its successful turnaround, according to reports in Il Sole 24 Ore.
Fondo Italiano to invest in venture capital funds
Fondo Italiano di Investimento has pledged to boost start-up growth in Italy by investing in venture capital funds. The fund is set to make investments of up to €50m from its €1.2bn of assets under management to help young Italian companies grow.