News/France
EUROPE - London to be worse hit if AIFM goes through
The call for tighter regulation of the private equity markets, is likely to "hit London far more than anywhere else" says Clare Grayston, partner at Nabarro in a recent video interview with unquote". See the video on www.unquote.com .
GLOBAL – Unigestion's Secondary Opportunity II hits EUR 135m first close
Privately-owned asset manager Unigestion has held a first close of Unigestion Secondary Opportunity Fund II on EUR 135m.
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.
UK – BC Partners looking to raise EUR 5.8bn for new fund
BC Partners is reportedly planning to raise a new EUR 5.8bn fund, proof that the large-cap sector could be reviving.
FRANCE - Perceva strengthens team
Perceva Capital has recruited Christophe Ambrosi as a director.
FRANCE - Aster Capital receives EUR 70m for maiden fund
Alstom and Schneider Electric, the electricity companies, are launching a joint venture capital fund, Aster Capital, targeting start-up company in the energy and environmental sector.
FRANCE/GERMANY/UK - Indigo promotes four
Specialist mezzanine investor has promoted Adrian Lurie, Nicole Waibel and Cyril de Galea to partner, and Esteban Abad to investment director.
FRANCE - NBGI closes first fund on EUR 100m
NBGI Private Equity France has closed its maiden fund on EUR 100m.
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.
EUROPE - Carlyle makes senior promotions across Europe
Buyout house Carlyle has promoted 33 professionals to senior positions across its offices globally, with four in the firm's London office.
FRANCE - I-Source invests EUR 2m in Mobigard
I-Source, alongside Direct Energie and Bouygues Telecom Initiatives, has provided software business Mobigard with a EUR 2m investment.
EUROPE - HgCapital to close sixth fund on £1.85bn
Mid-market investor HgCapital is close to a final close of almost £2bn for its sixth buyout fund, above its original target.
GLOBAL - Blackstone raises $9bn so far for its sixth fund
According to reports based on a letter to its investors, Blackstone has so far raised about $9bn for its sixth buyout fund, BCP VI, and is hoping to hold a final close of the vehicle in June.
Carlyle makes senior promotions across Europe
Buyout house Carlyle has promoted 33 professionals to senior positions across its offices globally, with four in the firm's London office.
FRANCE - Highland CP and Endeavour provide Spartoo with EUR 12m
Highland Capital Partners and Endeavour Vision have led a EUR 12m Series-B round of financing of Online shoe distributor Spartoo.
FRANCE - Duke Street exits Proclif
Duke Street Capital has sold its remaining 57% interest in Proclif, a private hospital company, to Predica, an insurance division of Crédit Agricole, which has in turn sold the stake on to Australian business Ramsay Healthcare for a reported EUR 87m.
GLOBAL - Big Apple pensions ripe for private equity
New York City, which boasts a pension pot of $96.4bn, is reportedly naming a private equity veteran to look after its investment, triggering conjecture that the city may put more money to work in the asset class which spent most of last year plagued by...
EUROPE - Riverside makes European promotions
The Riverside Company has promoted Juan Barnechea to head of its European deal origination team. He will be replacing Karsten Langer who will become a transaction partner for Benelux and France.
US/EUROPE - US Fidelty Ventures team forms Volition Capital
The US operations of Fidelity Ventures has spun out into Volition Capital, an independent growth equity firm that invests in founder-owned technology companies.
FRANCE - BC Partners-backed Médica prepares IPO
It is understood that BC Partners is readying to list its Paris-based care homes group Médica, with bookbuilding set to commence on 25 January with BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Royal Bank of Scotland as bookrunners.
FRANCE - Natixis and Emerging back USD 22.6m EyeGate investment
Natixis Private Equity and Emerging Capital, alongside return backers Ventech, Innoven Partners and Medicis Capital, have invested close to USD 23m in a series-D financing round for pharmaceutical company EyeGate Pharma.
EUROPE - 2010: Leverage renaissance
"Good deals this year shouldn't fall through because of lack of financing as there is enough debt around to service the expected volume of transactions," says Lloyds' Ian Sale, who is optimistic about the prospects for leveraged buyouts in 2010.
EUROPE - Helvetia Wealth AG appoints new board member
Asset manager Helvetia Wealth AG has appointed Professor Gerhard Arminger as a member of its board.