News/Deals
EUROPE - Exciting times for venture
Venture's simple business model of providing equity without relying on cheap finance or financial chicanery stands it in good stead for the future, argues Index Ventures' Ben Holmes in a recent video with unquote's Rikke Eckhoff.
GERMANY - Triangle and ERP invest EUR 2.5m in TakWak
Triangle Venture Capital and ERP Startfonds have invested in TakWak, a spinout from FG Microtec, in a funding round worth EUR 2.5m.
GERMANY - Odewald-backed walter services makes acquisition
walter services Holding, which is backed by Odewald & cie and caption, has agreed to acquire SEB Card Service from Swedish banking group SEB.
UK - YFM invests £120,000 into New Net Technologies
YFM, alongside management, has invested £120,000 into software company New Net Technologies in a second round of financing for the business.
UK - Finance Wales invests £315,000 into Ocelus
Finance Wales has invested £315,000 in drug company Ocelus as part of a second funding round worth close to £500,000.
UK - ICG close to securing 25% stake in CPA
Ripe from its largest ever capital gain on the £975m Apax-Marken deal at the end of December, ICG is reportedly close to acquiring a 25% stake in CPA Global, the Jersey-based patent and legal services firm, in a £400m deal.
UK - ISIS realises part of its investment in Traveljigsaw through refinancing
ISIS Equity Partners has realised part of its investment in online travel agent Traveljigsaw through a multi-million pound refinancing, which sees Yorkshire Bank more than double the facilities available to the business.
UK - Lyceum Capital acquires UKDN
Mid-market investor Lyceum Capital has acquired a majority stake in drainage claims manager UK Drainage Network for an undisclosed sum.
GERMANY - Acton acquires stake in mytheresa
Acton Capital Partners has acquired a minority stake in luxury online retailer mytheresa through an undisclosed investment.
UK - Phoenix sells Acorn Care & Education to Ontario Teachers
UK-based buyout firm Phoenix Equity Partners has agreed to sell its portfolio company Acorn Care & Education, a provider of foster care services and schools for children with learning disabilities, to one of its biggest LPs, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan.
NETHERLANDS - PPM Oost backs Heli-One MBO; re-brands NedAero
PPM Oost has backed the management buyout of aircraft parts manufacturer Heli-One Components from CHC Helicopter Corporation, acquiring a 30% stake in the new company which will trade as NedAero company.
UK - Clessidra seeks buyer for Prenergy Power
Italian buyout house Clessidra is said to be seeking a buyer for Prenergy Power, a biomass plant.
UK - Bestport in £4.5m round for Intela
Bestport Ventures has led an investment in internet marketing company Intela, committing a little over £3m in a round totalling £4.5m. ETV Capital will provide the remainder in facilities and loans.
GERMANY - Seventure and DuMont invest EUR 2m in Tradoria
Seventure Partners and DuMont Venture have invested EUR 2m in e-commerce solutions company Tradoria, in a series-B funding round.
UK - Duke Street sells Affinity to Priory
Duke Street Capital has sold UK mental healthcare business Affinity Healthcare to The Priory Group for an undisclosed sum.
FRANCE - Alven invests EUR 500,000 in QuelleEnergie
Alven Capital has invested EUR 500,000 in online energy consultancy QuelleEnergie, alongside business angels who have supported the company since its formation in 2008.
SWEDEN - FSN acquires Baggium
Norwegian buyout firm FSN Capital has acquired the Baggium Group, a Swedish provider of education and care services.
GERMANY – HTGF provides seed funding for Raumfeld
High-Tech Gründerfonds has provided seed funding for hi-fi systems maker Raumfeld GmbH.
FRANCE - Avenir et al. purchase Coverpla
Avenir Entreprises, Société Générale Capital Partenaires and BNP Paribas Développement have supported Bruno Diépois in the purchase of Coverpla, a company specialised in packaging for the perfume industry.
FRANCE - EdRIP invests EUR 2.5 in Smile
Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners has backed Smile, an open source solutions company, with EUR 2.5m. The investment was rounded off with EUR 1m to purchase a part of the founders shares.
ITALY - BC-backed Seat close to refinancing debt
Yellow page directory business Seat PG, backed by BC Partners, CVC Capital Partners and Permira, is close to reaching an agreement with its lenders, headed by Royal Bank of Scotland, to allow the group to partially refinance its EUR 2.8bn debt.
UK - BC Partners drops bid for Matalan
BC Partners has reportedly dropped out of the auction for UK discount retailer Matalan, which has been put up for sale for a price tag thought to be around £1.5bn.
GERMANY - Earlybird leads EUR 3m round for EBS Technology
Earlybird has led a EUR 3m investment in medical device business EBS Technology GmbH, together with BC Brandenburg Capital.
FRANCE - I-Source supports eYeka
I-Source has invested an undisclosed amount into eYeka, a company which a provides online video and image service applications.