News
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.
GERMANY - eCapital's Hölzle steps down
Venture firm eCapital has appointed Dr Michael Lübbehusen as chairman, succeeding Frank Hölzle, who has stepped down from the firm to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities.
FRANCE - Icso backs EUR 4m AT Internet investment
Icso Private Equity and l'IRDI have provided software business AT Internet with an investment of over EUR 4m.
UK - Maven Capital invests £2m into Documetric
Maven Capital Partners, via its Capital for Enterprise Fund, has invested £2m into Documetric, a provider of business-to-business services.
ITALY - Hal shows interest in Safilo’s retail network
Reports suggest that Dutch group Hal Investments has shown interest in eyewear maker Safilo's retail network, with particular interest in the sales points in Spain, Mexico, US, Australia and China. a total of 327 sales points.
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.
UK - YFM Venture Finance invests £400,000 into Lattice Voice
YFM Venture Finance, via its PIF and YHEF vehicles, has invested £406,000 into telecoms software company Lattice Voice Technologies.
FRANCE - Emertec supports Insiteo
Emertec, alongside a group of business angels, has provided a first round of funding for Insiteo, an indoor geo-location company, valued at several million euros.
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 - Treasury appoints former Apax partner head of Asset Protection Agency
The Treasury has appointed Stephan Wilcke as chief executive of the Asset Protection Agency (APA), which was established earlier this year to run the Asset Protection Scheme (APS)on behalf of HM Treasury.
SWEDEN - Chalmers in SEK 2.3m funding for Aluwave
Chalmer Innovation Seed Fund has alongside Innovationsbron and existing backers participated in a SEK 2.3m funding round for Aluwave, a LED technology company.
NORWAY - Hitec, Aker Capital Fund and Camar bid for Bjørge ASA
Norwegian private equity fund HitecVision, Converto Capital Management via Aker Capital Fund, and investment company Camar, have launched a voluntary cash offer for listed technology company Bjørge ASA, valuing the business at NOK 483m.
SPAIN - DLJ acquires 25% stake in Santillana
According to a note from the Spanish regulator CNMV, DLJ South American Partners has acquired a 25% stake in education publishing house Santillana from its parent media group Prisa, in a deal that values the company at around EUR 1bn.
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.
FRANCE - NextStage makes EUR 1m Expertissim investment
NextStage has invested EUR 1m in Expertissim, an online art retail platform.
BULGARIA - Advent to take majority interest in Devin
According to reports, Advent International has agreed to purchase close to a 75% stake in water bottler Devin from Austria's Soravia Group, in a deal valued at EUR 21-22m.
UK - Proskauer Rose boosts London office with new hire
International law firm Proskauer Rose has hired Robert Barry as a London-based partner in the firm's private funds practice.
UK - Proskauer Rose boosts London office with new hire
International law firm Proskauer Rose has hired Robert Barry as a London-based partner in the firm's private funds practice.
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.
RUSSIA - Capman backs Papa John's
CapMan Russia Fund has acquired a 49% stake in US Pizza chain Papa John's Russian franchise.
UK - Permira to acquire Just Retirement for £225m
Permira has reached agreement with the board of listed UK life assurance group Just Retirement regarding a £225m takeover deal.
GERMANY - Warburg Pincus sells EUR 290m Easycash
Warburg Pincus has sold payment services provider Easycash to strategic investor Ingenico, in a deal that values the business at EUR 290m.
UK - August acquires Funeral Services Partnership
August Equity has completed the acquistion of Funeral Services Partnership (FSP) and committed £23m to finance a buy-and-build strategy to expand the company throughout the UK.