News
FRANCE - PAI increases share in Atos Origin to 18%
PAI partners has acquired a 17.9% stake in computer services company Atos Origin, becoming the largest single shareholder ahead of active investors Pardus and Centaurus Capital, which collectively own 23%. PAI purchased around 5 million shares at a price...
SWITZERLAND - Aescap backs second closing of CHF 32m Vivendy funding round
Aescap Venture has joined the existing investor base consisting of BioMedInvest, LSP Life Science Partners and TVM Capital in a second closing of a CHF 32m series-A financing round for Vivendy Therapeutics.
UK - First Reserve launches Torus
First Reserve Corporation, the US-based firm focused on investing in energy related businesses, has provided USD 720m to back the launch of Torus Insurance.
UK - Sole joins Quinn Partnership
Management due diligence firm The Quinn Partnership has recruited former Scotland rugby union captain David Sole.
BELGIUM - 3i sells ABX LOGISTICS for EUR 750m
3i has sold ABX LOGISTICS Worldwide to DSV, the Nordic region's biggest trucking company, for EUR 750m. In March 2005, 3i acquired a majority stake in ABX from Belgium's national railway company, SNCB Holding.
EUROPE - EVCA publishes study on global scenario for private equity
A new report by the EVCA, Global Scenarios for Private Equity and Venture Capital, presents four potential scenarios for global economic development over the coming decade and the impact these will have on the development of the private equity industry.
ITALY - MPS Venture et al acquire Dynamic Technologies
A syndicate comprising MPS Venture, through MPS Venture 2, Palladio Finanziaria (Venice Spa), Friulia and Abacus Invest have acquired Dynamic Technologies from Absolute Venture and MPS Venture 1.
ITALY - Magenta sells Cifa to Zoomlion
Now liquidated private equity firm Magenta has sold its only portfolio company to a consortium comprising Chinese heavy machinery firm Zoomlion, Goldman Sachs Private Equity, Mandarin Capital Partners and Hony Capital, in a EUR 500m deal.
SPAIN - MCH reaches first closing at EUR 225m
MCH has announced the closing of its third fund, MCH Iberian Capital Fund III, with EUR 225m in commitments, four months after it began fundraising.
ITALY - 3i invests EUR 118m in AP Bags
3i has signed an agreement to invest EUR 118m for a 49% stake in the handbags and accessories division of Antichi Pellettieri Spa, the Italian branded leather accessories subsidiary of Mariella Burani Fashion Group. The deal will see the division spun...
AUSTRIA - Buy_Out CE II acquires Chemson Polymer-Additive
Buy_Out Central Europe II Beteiligungs-Invest AG has acquired Chemson Polymer-Additive AG, a manufacturer of polymer additives that are used during production of PVC, for an undisclosed amount.
UK - 3i acquires Uponor infrastructure unit in £100m deal
3i has acquired Finland-based Uponor Corporation's UK infrastructure unit in a buyout that values the company at £100m.
UK - YFM supports £1.1m Gnodal funding
YFM Group managed South West Ventures Fund has supported Gnodal, a data technology developer, alongside NESTA and private investor Adrian Beecroft in a £1.1m funding round.
EUROPE - Jonathan Russell appointed new EVCA chairman
The board of the EVCA has elected Jonathan Russell, managing partner of buyouts at 3i, as its new chairman for the year 2008-2009.
SWEDEN - InnKap and Investor sell Amic to Johnson & Johnson
InnovationsKapital and Investor Growth Capital have sold their stakes in Amic, a developer of vitro diagnostic technologies, to Johnson & Johnson for an undisclosed sum.
SPAIN - Miura reaches final closing of maiden fund
Miura Private Equity has announced the final closing of its maiden vehicle, Miura Fund I, on approximately EUR 100m.
UK - EVCA final figures show record investment in 2007
The EVCA has released its final figures for private equiity activity in 2007, with the report showing that a record EUR 73.8bn was invested across Europe, EUR 2.6bn higher than in 2006.
UK - USS commits £383m to US buyout fund
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), the UK's second largest pension fund, is planning to commit £383m (USD 750m) to the maiden fund from Boston-based private equity fund-of-funds group Constitution Capital Partners.
UK - Coller and DFJ support early stage technology
Coller Capital, through Coller International Partners V, has injected a further USD 50m into DFJ Esprit II to support the portfolio of LSE-listed investment trust Prelude Trust Plc, which was purchased earlier this month for an initial consideration of...
GERMANY - Earlybird invests in Smoodoos.com
Earlybird has invested in just us & friends GmbH, operator of childrens online portal www.smoodoos.com. This makes Earlybird the first institutional investor following an earlier seed financing provided by Business Angels Tino Schöninger and Yulian Patzelt...
SPAIN - Kennet leads EUR 22m funding round for software firm
Kennet Partners has led a EUR 22m series-B financing round for software developer NTRGlobal, alongside Atlas Ventures and existing investors Debaeque and Elaia Partners.
UK - Aberdeen reaps 4x returns from £43m Brookhouse sale
Aberdeen Asset Managers Private Equity has sold specialist aerospace components company Brookhouse Holdings Ltd to Kaman Corporation for £43m, generating returns of 4x the capital invested.
NORWAY - CapMan and InnovationsKapital fund Crayon
CapMan Technology 2007 fund and InnKap 4 have invested an undisclosed sum in Crayon, an IT consultancy business that is owned by Norwegian parent Artix AS, for a 20% stake in the parent group with equal holdings after the transaction has closed. The current...
UK - Somerset CC pension fund issues £30m tender
Somerset County Council pension fund will issue a £30m tender for a private equity fund-of-funds manager.