News
AUSTRIA - Quadriga and Lead Equities in talks over Palmers sale
Rumours suggest that Quadriga Capital and Lead Equities are in talks with an Italian strategic investor to exit lingerie company Palmers.
NETHERLANDS - BNP PE leads EUR 5m Anteryon funding
BNP Paribas Private Equity has led a EUR 5m second round of financing for Anteryon International, providing EUR 3.5m of the total alongside the original investors.
FINLAND - Ferd Venture leads EUR 5m Eniram funding
Ferd Venture has invested EUR 2.7m as part of a EUR 5m investment round for Eniram Ltd, a provider of maritime technology solutions, alongside Finnish Industry Investment and existing investor Conor Venture Partners.
EUROPE - McCreevy remains vague about PE regulation
According to reports, EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy still has reservations about regulating private equity firms, despite heavy pressure from MEPs and earlier promises made by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
NETHERLANDS - 3i-backed VNU risks creditor take over
It is understood that 3i Group Plc is facing a possible creditor takeover at VNU Business Media Europe, the b2b publisher it acquired at the height of the buyout boom.
UK - One NorthEast creates £125m fund
The Regional Development Agency One NorthEast has created a £125m to support the development of businesses in the north east of England.
UK – Denham Capital presents unsolicited offer to Polo
Market rumour suggests that Denham Capital Management LP has approached coal mining firm Polo Resources Ltd regarding a potential acquisition, with the offer said to fail to reflect the value of the companies assets.
FRANCE - AGF leads EUR 6.5m investment into 24h00.fr
Returning investor AGF Private Equity has invested EUR 3.5m as part of a EUR 6.5m second round of funding for online retailer 24h00.fr, alongside Seventure Partners.
EUROPE - Yea leaves 3i; Queen takes the reins
Philip Yea is to step down from his position as CEO of 3i with immediate effect, to be replaced by Michael Queen, formerly finance director of the group.
SWEDEN - Capricorn and SEB Venture invest EUR 3.3m into Xylophane
Capricorn Venture Partners, via Capricorn Cleantech Fund, and SEB Venture Capital have invested EUR 3.3m into renewable packaging material company Xylophane AB. The two firms join existing investor KTH Chalmers Capital, which has been involved with the...
UK - Prices steady, deals down
According to the latest Private Company Price Index (PCPI), produced by accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward, sales of privately owned mid-market companies in the UK declined in Q4 2008 but prices remained stable.
UK - Albion makes first investment
Albion Ventures, formerly Close Ventures, has invested £2.5m as part of a £6.1m funding round into medical device company Forth Photonics, alongside Scottish Enterprise and current backer NBGI Ventures.
UK - RBS finds new chairman
Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed Sir Philip Hampton, chairman of supermarket chain Sainsbury's, as deputy chairman.
NORWAY - Government supports Argentum with NOK 2bn
Government-backed Norwegian LP Argentum has received NOK 2bn from in additional equity from the Norwegian government.
NORWAY - Skagerak raises NOK 50m
Skagerak Seed Capital II has raised NOK 50m for investments in Norwegian start-ups.
AUSTRIA/CEE - Schoenherr gains eight new partners
Schoenherr has increased its partnership by eight lawyers, lifting the total number of firm-wide partners to 53.
ITALY - Apax, Bain and CVC interested in Safilo Group
It is understood that Apax Partners, Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners could be among the private equity firms interested in investing in eyeware maker Safilo Group.
ITALY – Candover-backed Ferretti to restructure debt
According to reports, Candover-backed yacht maker Ferretti has appointed Rothschild to advise on talks with its banking syndicate, led by Royal Bank of Scotland and Mediobanca, in relation to a potential restructuring its €1bn+ debt.
NORWAY - Investinor hires ten
Investinor, the Norwegian government-backed venture fund established in the autumn of 2008, has now completed the formation of its investment team with ten new hires.
UK - TPG lets Lueken go
Reports suggest that TPG Capital has parted with Bastian Lueken, who was based in London.
SWEDEN - Industrifonden backs QuiQom Systems
Government-backed Industrifonden has invested an undisclosed sum into QuiQom Systems, a developer of solutions for high-speed broadband access in residential properties.
UK - Falcon interested in Chelsea
Reports suggest that an international consortium of investors, including Swiss investor Falcon Equity and Abu Dhabi United Group, are considering a bid for UK Premier League football club Chelsea.
BELGIUM - Siparex exits stake in Guillaume Teco
Siparex has exited its holding in electrical parts company Guillaume Teco to BV Capital Partners.
FRANCE - Two 3i partners walk out
Jéôme Girszyn and Laurent Savinelli, two partners in 3i's Paris office, have left the investment house.