Analysis
Benelux open for business as trade sales recover
Nine months into 2017, the number of exits to trade buyers exceeds 2016's levels, reflecting healthy European corporate M&A activity
More balanced economy for Norway as tech attracts investors
As the country recovers from the 2014 oil price collapse, former engineers are emerging as entrepreneurs at VC- and GP-backed companies
Artificial intelligence offers smart opportunities for PE
Once the domain of early-stage VC investors, the AI segment is now attracting the attention of private equity buyers
German election: the industry reaction
unquote" talks to market participants about what the shock surge of nationalist party Alternative für Deutschland could mean for the industry
German election: PE assesses likely coalitions
Coalition between CDU and FDP would be more supportive of private equity by nature
Minority investments brewing in the UK craft beer space
Negative connotations associated with the sale of microbreweries to conglomerates brings opportunities and challenges for PE backers
Essling to shake up funds-of-funds formula with new vehicle
Massena spinout Essling this month recruited the funds-of-funds team from Amundi and will launch its first vehicle shortly
Q&A: Baker Botts' Neil Foster on corporate venture
Law firm's partner speaks to unquote" about the growing prevalence of corporate VCs in Europe and its ongoing evolution
Deal in Focus: Carlyle sells Itconic to Equinix
Sale comes two and a half years after the GP acquired the business and is the first divestment for its third Europe-dedicated fund
H1 fundraising reaches second-highest level on record
Last three semesters represent a significant increase on the total sums raised for final closes, compared with historical levels
Nordic buyers increase dependency on family vendors
H1 saw the number of PE-backed deals sourced from entrepreneurs reaching a three-year high
UK venture awaits EIF replacement
New national investment fund will look to address shortfall in UK venture space and fill the void left by EIF's post-Brexit approach
DACH region opening up for PE activity in veterinary space
Local regulations surrounding consolidation in the sector have held back PE investment but EU court rulings could bring opportunities
International backers fuel record-breaking H1 in Spain
Country's dealflow has reached the highest level in value terms ever recorded
Benelux activity picks up in first half of 2017
Following a slow H2 in 2016, dealflow in the Benelux region is on the up with Belgium in particular seeing increasing activity
Politics and private equity – the revolving doors
FranУЇois Fillon is the latest in a long line of politicians to make the move to private equity
Aerospace investments taking off for PE
As evidenced by the recent VistaJet and Pattonair deals, PE is increasingly looking at the aviation and aerospace sectors for opportunities
Perfect fit: The evolving craft of fund financing
GPs are tailoring more complex and plentiful fund finance facilities to their advantage
Corporate caution creating carve-out opportunities for PE
Political instability may trigger a raft of corporate divestments, from which PE could profit
ECB leverage guidelines: casting too wide a net?
Debt advisory firm Marlborough Partners warns that the guidelines, as they stand, could impact deals with standard levels of term debt
Apax/EPF merger highlights consolidation trend in French GP landscape
Apax's acquisition of EPF Partners is the latest in a number of consolidation plays within the French market
Germany's new foreign investment rules raise challenges for PE
Government's adoption of an amendment giving it increased rights of scrutiny could require increased due diligence for private equity houses
Deal in Focus: Ambienta carves out Restiani from Total Erg
An in-depth look at a difficult carve-out in the energy production market segment
Deal in Focus: Ekkio Capital exits Amatsigroup
Under the GP's seven-year tenure, the pharmaceuticals business bolted on numerous competitors and acquired new laboratories