News
GERMANY - Apax acquires D+S Europe
Apax has made an offer for SDax-listed e-commerce service provider D+S Europe. Apax is reported to have offered EUR 13 per share, with the offer supported by the company's management.
BALTICS - ASI injects further capital in social networking site for pets
Ambient Sound Investments (ASI) has injected a further $235,000 in social networking sites for pet owners, www.unitedcats.com and www.uniteddogs.com. The investment round will be used to expand the reach of the site. The round gives the investor a further...
UK - Drug developer gets $10m from US investor
Heritage Pharma, a UK-based generic drug developer, has raised $10m in series A funding from Oklahoma venture capital firm McClendon Venture Company.
FRANCE – CAPE invests EUR 3m in Splendia
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has invested EUR 3m in Splendia in a second round of financing alongside historic investor Alven Capital. The company has collected EUR 5m in investments since 2006.
SPAIN – N+1 to launch a EUR 300m special situations fund
It is believed that N+1 could launch Spain’s first special situations fund later this year, targeting EUR 300m.
ITALY – Ferretti could float this year
According to reports, Candover and Permira are considering listing Italian luxury yacht company Ferretti on the Milan stock exchange later this year.
SPAIN – Artá Capital gets go ahead
The CNMV has granted Arta Capital the green light to commence operating.
UK - Peter Linthwaite joins CT Investment Partners
CT Investment Partners LLP has hired former BVCA chief executive Peter Linthwaite as managing partner.
UK - Sovereign acquires Paragon Education in £15m deal
Sovereign Capial has acquired Paragon Education and Skills Ltd, a provider of government-funded training in the South and Southwest of England in a £15m deal.
UK - NorthStar invests £500,000 in Profile Analysis
NorthStar Equity Investors (NSEI) has participated in a £1m funding round into Profile Analysis Ltd, a holding company for Rocket Science and i-snapshot, which provide web based sales management tools.
UK - Modus takes stake in Perspective Financial Group
Modus Private Equity has taken a 40% stake in Perspective Finanical Group (PFG), a newly formed holding company established to acquire independent financial advisers, in a £11.6m deal. A debt package, including mezzanine, was provided by Lloyds TSB Corporate...
UK - YFM invests £300,000 in CMS SupaTrak
YFM managed South West Ventures Fund has invested £300,000 in CMS SupaTrak, a company that offers vehicle tracking and mobile workforce solutions. The company first received support from the fund in 2005 and has since grown significantly.
GERMANY – Arques sells Jahnel-Kestermann for more than EUR 20m
Arques Industries AG has sold gear manufacturer Jahnel-Kestermann to South Korean strategic investor PSM Inc for a sum between EUR 20m and EUR 21m.
FRANCE - Crédit Agricole Private Equity launches two FCPI innovation funds
Crédit Agricole Private Equity has launched two FCPI innovation funds. The new FCPIs, Crédit Agricole Europe Innovation 2008 and LCL Capital Invest PME, will be offered to Crédit Agricole's high net worth customers in the regional banks and private...
SWEDEN - Accent Equity creates new packaging company
Accent Equity 2008 has backed the MBO of a new packaging company to be named Flextrus for an undisclosed value. The business has been acquired from Australian group, Amcor Flexibilities, which has owned the company unit since 2001.
GERMANY – DEWB and zouk ventures co-lead EUR 11m investment
Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsgesellschaft AG (DEWB) has co-led a EUR 11m financing round for Nanotron Technologies Ltd alongside British venture firm zouk ventures. DEWB has acquired an 18.1 percent stake in the business. In addition to...
UK - 3i portfolio company buys Allclear Clinic
Ultralase, which was bought by 3i in February, has acquired Belfast-based Allclear clinic, a refractive clinic, from the Quality Healthcare Group.
UK - Zeus buys four hotels for £25m
Zeus Private Equity (ZPE) has bought four hotels to add to its Hallmark Hotel Group for the combined sum of £25m. Senior debt was provided by Allied Irish Bank.
UK - Hotbed invests in new residential health spa
Hotbed has invested £23.8m in a deal to construct and operate a purpose-built residential health spa in Essex with 100 bedrooms and 92 treatment rooms called thelifehouse.
GERMANY - Axa acquires Löwen Play from Waterland
Axa Private Equity has agreed to acquire Löwen Play GmbH from Waterland Private Equity in a transaction rumoured to be worth at least EUR 300m. Löwen Play GmbH is based in Bingen and operates more than 190 amusement arcades as well as a number of machines...
DACH – Heliad Equity Partners to announce Heliad II fund
Heliad Equity Partners will soon announce the launch of Heliad II, which is currently in premarketing. The fund has a target of EUR 130m and will invest in later stage companies in the DACH region. London-based Greenpark Capital will act as a cornerstone...
UK - Hammonds promotes Bray
Hammonds has promoted Robert Bray to partner in the private equity team. Bray has worked in the private equity team since joining Hammonds in 2000.
UK - Pamplona hires Thompson
Paul Thompson has joined Pamplona Capital Management as a partner. He will lead the firm’s push into the British financial services market.
UK - Sovereign acquires World Class Learning Schools
Sovereign Capital has completed the £34m management buyout of educational firm World Class Learning Schools and Systems Ltd (WCLS).