News/Benelux
BELGIUM - Big Bang in EUR 1.2m Racktivity funding
Big Bang Ventures has invested EUR 1.2m into management technology business Racktivity.
GLOBAL - KKR finally completes KPE merger
After over a year of delays and revisions, US-based private equity giant KKR has now completed its merger with its Amsterdam-listed affiliate, KKR Private Equity Investors.
GLOBAL - Hellman closes $9bn seventh fund and management shake-up
International private equity house Hellman & Friedman has announced the final close of its seventh and largest fund, HFCP VII, on a little under $9bn, as well as a major shake-up of the firm's management team.
EUROPE - GPs must re-invent, LPs must invest
Europe's GPs must change their ways to emerge successful from the current market conditions, and need LPs to back them in order to do so. This was the theme this morning at the fourth annual Deutsche unquote" Private Equity Congress in Munich.
GLOBAL - KKR appoints Levin as head of IR; merger with KPE expected Thursday
KKR has appointed Jonathan Levin to the newly created position of head of investor relations, a move designed to prepare the private equity firm as it becomes a publicly listed company.
NETHERLANDS - PPM Oost invests in Can-iT
Governmanet-backed venture investor PPM Oost has invested an undisclosed sum into internet firm Can-iT, acquiring a 16% stake in the business.
BELGIUM - PE interested in Ontex
According to reports, the sale of Candover's Belgian nappy manufacturer Ontex, valued at around EUR 1.2bn, has brought interest from at least three private equity firms.
EUROPE - Baird expands institutional equity services team
Baird has hired Said DeSaque as director of institutional sales and investment strategy to be based in London.
GLOBAL - HSBC names Alternative Investments managing director
HSBC has promoted the present head of real estate at HSBC Alternative Investments, Chris Allen, to managing director of the unit.
UK/EUROPE - Wellington leads $16m Livebookings funding
Pan-European venture capital firm Wellington Partners has led a $16m funding round for online restaurant marketing and reservations service Livebookings, along existing investors.
NETHERLANDS - Fortis PE wholly acquires Kuiken
Fortis Private Equity has increased its 22% stake in Dutch construction equipment company Kuiken to 100% in a restructuring deal.
NETHERLANDS - Gilde Healthcare supports EUR 16.6m Agendia funding
Gilde Healthcare Partners has participated in a series-E funding round worth a little under EUR 17m for biotechnology firm Agendia.
BELGIUM - Montagu to acquire ABD Airfield from Siemens
Montagu Private Equity is finalising the purchase of ADB Airfield Solutions (ADB), the airfield lighting business of Siemens, for an undisclosed sum.
UK/EUROPE - Impax appoints head of sales
Environmentally focused Aim-listed investor Impax Asset Management has appointed John McDonald as head of sales and marketing.
NETHERLANDS - Point One leads $3m Recore funding
Point One Innovation Fund has led a $3m round of financing for semiconductor business Recore System, along side government-backed investor PPM Oost.
GLOBAL - Carlyle appoints vice chairman of global buyouts
International private equity firm Carlyle Group has appointed Gregory Summe to the newly created position of vice chairman of global buyouts.
EUROPE - Oak Hill appoints new European head
Oak Hill Advisors has appointed Alexandra Jung as co-head of the firm's European business based in London.
BELGIUM - Gimv pumps EUR 5m into Alfacam
Belgium-based Gimv has invested EUR 5m into listed television service supplier Alfacam Group, taking its stake in the business to close to 5%.
NETHERLANDS - PPM Oost backs GreenGran
Participatiemaatschappij Oost Nederland (PPM Oost) has invested an undisclosed sum in thermoplastic company GreenGran, in exchange for a 20% stake in the business. The transaction was also supported by ERDF/EU funds and a contribution from the province...
EUROPE - ML Capital launches alternative assets advisory service
ML Capital has today launched an alternative assets advisory and business solution service, dedicated to advising private equity and hedge fund managers on how to meet current market expectations.
EUROPE - Growth Capital to take the lead in 2010
In a market starved for debt, growth capital investments are in line to become the favoured deal type of 2010, as highlighted in Nordic editor Rikke Eckhoff's interview with Louis Elson, co-founder and managing partner of Palamon Capital Partners. See...
EUROPE – Specialist or generalist ?
"We will see a shift from local generalist funds to global sector specialists," said Simon Havers, BVCA chairman and managing director of Baird Capital Partners Europe. He was speaking at this morning's Capital Creation panel, which debated the future...
BENELUX - Gilde hits first close for latest vehicle
Unquote" can reveal that European mid-market group Gilde Buy Out Partners has reached a first close on its Fund IV on EUR 217m. The Fund, which launched in Q2 of this year, has a target of EUR 800m and expects to hold a second close on half that by the...
NETHERLANDS - PPM Oost backs Ingrepro
Participatiemaatschappij Oost Nederland (PPM Oost) has invested an undisclosed sum in biotech company Ingrepro.