News
CEE – ASI invests EUR 400,000 in Versita
Ambient Sound Investments (ASI) has invested EUR 400,000 for a 20% stake in Versita, a Polish online publisher. It is the first venture investment in Poland for ASI.
UK - SEB Venture leads $10 B-round of Zinwave
SEB Venture Capital has led a $10 second round of funding for wireless technology development company Zinwave. Existing investors Atlas Venture and Scottish Equity partners also provided further funding.
SPAIN - GED-backed Rioglass to increase
GED-backed Rioglass will be developing 4 new facilities in Spain and the US to increase its production of thermosolar mirrors.
NETHERLANDS - Amadeus et al. invest EUR8m in Liquavista
In a series-B round funding, existing investors Amadeus, GIMV and New Venture Partners have injected EUR 8m in fabless display manufacturing company Liquavista. In November 2006, the company secured EUR 12m from the same group of investors.
UK - Sunstone invests EUR 2.4m in CloudeMade
Sunstone Capital has invested EUR 2.4m in a series A round of funding for CloudMade. Sunstone joins the founders as well as existing private shareholders and serial entrepreneurs.
ITALY – Consob approves Polynt P2P
The Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (Consob) has approved the voluntary tender offer by InvestIndustrial-backed Polimeri Speciali for Polynt.
UK - Sovereign wins auction for WCLS
Sovereign Capital has won the auction to buy educational firm World Class Learning Schools (WCLS) for approximately $75m, according to press reports.
UK - Inflexion backs buyout of Pims
Inflexion Private Equity has led the management buyout of waste water support services company Pims Group. It acquired the company from Gresham Private Equity who made a 3.4x return from the exit.
UK - Langholm sells Dorset Cereals
Langholm Capital has sold musli brand Dorset Cereals to Wellness Foods for £50m, generating a reported 4-fold return.
UK - NBGI buys T Jolly
NBGI Private Equiy has backed the management buyout of mechanical and electrical engineering services provider T Jolly Ltd. The value of deal has not been disclosed. Debt has been provided by Svenska Handelsbanken AB.
FRANCE – MBO Partenaires takes 35% stake in BFD
MBO Partenaires has taken a 35% minority stake in banking and finance information systems company BFD. The remaining stake is retained by founder Philippe Michelin. The senior debt package was provided by Société Générale and CIC.
NORWAY - Nordic Capital recruits new Norwegian partner
Tom Vidar Rygh has joined Nordic Capital as a partner. He will be responsible for Nordic Capital’s focus in Norway where the GP is looking to source more deals going forward.
EUROPE - EVCA data shows increased returns in 07
Private equity delivered increased returns for investors in 2007, with buyout funds the best performers, according to data from the European Venture Capital Association.
SPAIN – Proa pulls out of bid; recruits new partner
Proa Capital, yet to officially open its doors, has decided to pull out of the auction for biscuit manufacturer Marbú Dorada y Chiquilín, currently owned by US multinational Kraft.
UK - Patron invests £23m in Powerleague
Patron Capital Partners has acquired a minority stake in Powerleague, a commercial operator of 5-a-side football centres.
SPAIN – Tandem closes first fund on EUR 50m
Tandem Capital Gestión has reached the final closing of its first fund on EUR 50m.
NORWAY - Ferd Private Equity spins out
Ferd Private Equity has spun-out from Ferd AS group and changed its name to Herkules Capital.
FINLAND - Conor Ventures invests in Eniram
Conor Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount in Eniram, a Finnish developer of instruments for the maritime industry.
SPAIN – Clave Mayor backs website Red Karaoke
Clave Mayor has taken a minority stake in website Red Karaoke in a deal valued at EUR 2m.
ITALY – Investitori Associati in Meridionale Meccanica MBI
Investitori Associati has acquired railway security and diagnostics company Meridionale Meccanica (Mer Mec) in a management buy-in deal. The management team will retain a stake in the company.
SPAIN - BPEP launches Baring Iberia III
Baring Private Equity Partners (BPEP) has launched its third vehicle, Baring Iberia III, with a target of EUR 200m.
UK - Glover to chair SME advisory committee
The UK government has established a committee, chaired by Anne Glover, chief executive of Amadeus Capital Partners, to advise policy makers on how to reduce the barriers for SMEs competing for public sector contracts. A tentative target has been set which...
PORTUGAL – Explorer acquires private security companies
Explorer Investments has acquired three private security companies Palanca, 4 Esse and Prosecom as part of a market consolidation strategy.
UK - Partnership Investment and YFM invest £1m in REM Probe
Partnership Investment Finance and YFM Venture Finance have invested £1m in software company REM Probe. YFM invested through its Yorkshire and Humber Equity Fund.