Portugal
Blackstone appoints new MD for Iberia
Blackstone has appointed Inaki Echave as managing director, with a primary focus on Spain and Portugal.
Southern Europe unquote" February 2013
“The 2006 acquisition of Avio represented what today remains the largest leveraged buyout ever completed by a single private equity house in Italy,” says Roberto Italia, partner at European buyout house Cinven.
N+1 buys Probos from Explorer
N+1 Private Equity has acquired Portuguese plastic band manufacturer Probos in a €75m SBO from Explorer.
EIF and Oquendo to launch €100m Iberian fund
Spanish bank Banca March, the European Investment Fund (EIF) and Spanish Iberian mezzanine provider Oquendo Capital are to raise a fund to back local SMEs, according to local reports.
Southern Europe unquote" December 2012/January 2013
The sixth annual unquote” Italia Private Equity Congress took place in November at the Four Seasons in Milan, bringing GPs, LPs and advisers together to discuss the issues shaping the industry.
Critical Ventures backs Watchful Software
Critical Ventures I Fund, in conjunction with Critical SGPS, has provided funding for Portugal-based information security technology company Watchful Software.
Southern Europe unquote" November 2012
After a bleary-eyed summer, Southern European deal activity awoke in October with a notable increase in both volume and value.
Southern Europe unquote" October 2012
The aim of social-impact investment is to back companies that seek to solve the challenges society faces.
Cofides supports expansion of SuiteBlanco in Portugal
Compañía Española de Financiación del Desarrollo (Cofides) has granted Spanish clothing and accessories company SuiteBlanco with a €2.138m joint venture loan from the Fund for Investments Abroad (FIEX) vehicle.
Southern Europe unquote" September 2012
Italian private equity houses Sator and Palladio finally retreated from insurer Fondiaria-Sai, relinquishing the troubled behemoth to the hands of the salotto buono, the figurative drawing room in which the nation’s elite clutch of industrial, financial...
Southern Europe unquote" July/August 2012
It was “nothing but a loan with very favourable conditions,” according to the Spanish economy minister. Not a “rescue” and certainly not a “bailout”.
Doughty Hanson-backed Vue to take over CinemaxX
Doughty Hanson’s portfolio company Vue has announced its intention to launch a voluntary public takeover offer for German multiplex chain CinemaxX.
Southern Europe unquote" June 2012
A recurrent refrain sung by the Italian private equity community and the name of a recent initiative that amplifies the chorus of voices calling for growth: Why Not Italy?, announced in May, unites top Italian private equity players in a bid to promote...
Southern Europe unquote" May 2012
“This is going to cost me a general strike,” said the Spanish prime minister, commenting on his labour reforms.
Southern Europe unquote" April 2012
In early March, Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy announced a self-imposed adjustment to the country’s budget deficit targets as defined by Brussels, adjusting the figure from 4.4% of GDP to a gentler 5.8%. The change has fuelled eurozone anxiety and...
OpCapita acquires GAME Iberia
OpCapita has acquired the Iberian operations of distressed videogames retailer GAME Group.
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.
Mercapital, Nmás1 and Explorer to exit Holmes Place
Mercapital, Nmás1 Private Equity and Explorer Investments are to exit troubled European gym chain Holmes Place at a loss of €40m, according to reports in the Spanish press.
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 nor generation”...
Riverside's Tensator acquires Newvision
Riverside-backed Tensator Group has acquired Portuguese customer journey management specialist Newvision.
Southern Europe unquote" November 2011
Spain was again home to some of Europe’s largest deals in October, with two deals valued at several hundred million euros.
Southern Europe unquote" out now
The latest digital edition of Southern Europe unquote” is out now, featuring all the latest analysis, deals and exits in the region.
Southern Europe unquote" October 2011
Pass the parcel deals are nothing new in private equity. Indeed, on a perennial basis, rafts of secondary buyouts make the headlines.
Southern Europe unquote" September 2011
Having spent 10 years at the helm of the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA), Javier Echarri is roundly considered one of the world’s most influential people in private equity. This month he talks to unquote" Southern Europe about the Alternative...