News/Nordics
SWEDEN - Industrifonden invests SEK 7m in scuba diving company
Industrifonden has invested SEK 7m in Gothenburg-based scuba diving company Poseidon in a funding round also including Start Invest. Start Invest and Industrifonden will hold close to 50% of the shares in the business.
NORWAY - FSN Capital buys a 47% stake in private care company
FSN Capital II has agreed to acquire 47% of the shares in healthcare provider Norlandia Omsorg AS. The deal will enable Norlandia Omsorg to strengthen its market position and grow organically and via acquisitions.
US - Blackstone buys Equity Office for $39bn in world's largest buyout
The Blackstone Group has secured the world’s largest leveraged buyout, agreeing a $39bn price (£20.2bn) for Equity Office, the biggest office landlord in the US. Blackstone won the deal after fending off competition from real estate investment trust...
FINLAND - Amanda Capital acquires competitor Proventure
Fund-of-funds manager Amanda Capital Plc has acquired the entire share capital of Proventure companies for EUR 10m in cash. The net asset value of the acquired companies totalled EUR 7.1m as of 31 December 2006.
EUROPE - Return expectations of private equity investors reach record levels
The return expectations of private equity investors have strengthened significantly over the last 12 months – almost half of LPs are now forecasting medium-term returns of 16%+, according to Coller Capital’s latest Global Private Equity Barometer,...
DENMARK - Langholm Capital invests in Cane-Line and Sika-Horsnaes
Langholm Capital has invested in Cane-Line and Skia-Horsnaes, two Danish furniture specialists focusing on woven indoor and outdoor furniture. The investor retains a minority stake in both companies following the deal.
NORWAY - FSN's VIA Travel enters Finland by acquiring Travelzon
FSN Capital-backed VIA Travel has acquired Travelzon Oy, a Finnish independent travel management company, from Berling Capital and three minority shareholders.
NORWAY - Northzone, Verdane and Ferd Venture invest EUR 10m in Colibria
Norwegian Colibria, a provider of new generation mobile instant messaging (MIM) services, has raised EUR 10m from current lead investors Northzone Ventures, Verdane Capital and Ferd Venture.
SWEDEN - EQT sells HemoCue to Quest Diagnostics
EQT II BV has sold HemoCue, a point-of-care diagnostic testing company, to Quest Diagnostics.
SWEDEN - Eqvitec strengthens its Swedish team
Eqvitec Partners has recruited Ivar Strömberg as a senior adviser in the Stockholm office. Strömberg is the entrepreneur behind Swedish Tele1/Song Networks, a company employing more than 1,000 people. His other engagements include Ricaro, Gajdo, AllTele,...
FINLAND - CapMan buys vehicle logistics business
CapMan has purchased a 60% shareholding in John Nurminen Oy’s Vehicle Logistics Unit. John Nurminen Oy will hold 25% of the shares in the newco.
NORWAY - Venture-backed Algeta applies for listing
Therapeutics company Algeta ASA has applied for listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company raised NOK 185m in series-A financing from a consortium of investors, including HealthCap, Advent Venture Partners, SR One, and existing investors, Selvaag...
FINLAND - Eqvitec divests Teletekno
Eqvitec funds have sold their stake in Teletekno Oy, a Finnish supplier of telecommunication and network products, to Onninen Oy.
DENMARK - BankInvest New Energy appoints new managing partner
Poul Erik Schou-Pedersen will begin as new managing partner of BankInvest New Energy Solutions (NES) on 1 June 2007. He is chairman of the NES advisory board, and has since 1992, been CEO of the Danish energy meter company Kamstrup
DENMARK - Gilde invests EUR 5m in Symphogen
Gilde Healthcare Partners has invested EUR 5m in biotechnology company Symphogen A/S in a second closing of the series-E round.
DENMARK - Erhvervsinvest buys Aalborg Træindustri
Danish buyout firm Erhvervsinvest has acquired an 83% stake in table tops provider Aalborg Træindustri.
NORWAY - Hydro invests NOK 22m in database technology company
Hydro has invested NOK 22m in Tektonisk and its ShareCat database technology. ShareCat is used by a number of international oil and gas producers to share information between suppliers and subcontractors on the type of equipment used in connection with...
FINLAND - Industri Kapital buys Moventas from CapMan
Industri Kapital has agreed to buy a majority stake in manufacturer of industrial and wind turbine gears Moventas from CapMan for an undisclosed sum.
EUROPE - Advent International announces global promotions
Advent International has announced the promotion of 13 members of its global investment team.
SWEDEN - Apax sells Mölnlycke to Investor and Morgan Stanley for EUR 2.85bn
Funds advised by Apax Partners has sold surgical and wound care applications provider Mölnlycke Health Care Group (MHCG) to Investor AB and Morgan Stanley Principal Investment (MSPI) for EUR 2,850m.
EUROPE - European Buyout Review shows 2006 record year for private equity
2006 was a record year for European buyouts with the total value of deals topping over EUR 160bn for the first time ever, according to the latest European Buyout Review due to be published in March 2007 by Incisive Media in association with Bridgepoint....
SWEDEN - Bids come in for Apax's wound care company
Blackstone and Investor AB are believed to be bidding for Apax's surgical and wound care applications provider Mölnlycke Health Care, according to press reports. It is understood that the sale could be valued at up to EUR 3bn.
SWEDEN - Litorina buys waste management company
Litorina Kapital has acquired Resta, a Stockholm-headquartered waste management company. Following the acquisition, Litorina will own approximately 75% of the company and the founders the remaining 25%.
FINLAND - Innofinance's DelSiTech signs agreement with Bayer
Turku-based drug delivery company DelSiTech Ltd, a portfolio company of Innofinance, has entered into a license agreement with Bayer Innovation GmbH. The deal gives Bayer the exclusive rights to use the DelSiTech ® drug delivery technology for fiber...