News
SPAIN – Ysios launches biotech fund
Ysios Capital Partners has announced the launch of its first fund, Ysios BioFund I. The fund will look to raise between EUR 65-75m.
Ireland - Delta Partners and Enterprise Ireland exit Xiam
Delta Partners and Enterprise Ireland have sold their stakes in software company Xiam to Nasdaq listed Qualcomm. Qualcomm has acquired Xiam for $32m.
UK - Bestport aquires Healthcall for £2m
Bestport Ventures portfolio company Rose Optical Services Group has acquired optical services provider Healthcall Optical.
UK - Barclays Ventures acquires building contractor
Barclays Ventures has acquired Strategic Team Group, a building contractor to the public and private sector, in a deal valued at approximately £11m. Barclays Ventures has invested for a minority stake.
POLAND - Nova Polonia and FMO sell remaining stake in Praterm
Nova Polonia Private Equity and FMO have sold their remaining stake in Praterm, a company operating in the heating generation sector, to energy services provider Dalkia Poland.
GERMANY - NIBC Capital Partners acquires Gebr Reinfurt
NIBC Capital Partners has acquired German ball bearings manufacturer Gebr Reinfurt GmbH Co KG from its current eight family shareholders for an undisclosed amount.
Denmark – Mid Europa acquires Disa from Procuritas
Mid Europa has acquired Disa, a company operating in the global moulding and metal surface preparation markets, from Procuritas Capital Investors III. The sale is subject to approval from competition authorities, expected in the first half of 2008. Procuritas...
DENMARK - Monitor Clipper leads financing round in CMC Biologies
CMC Biologies (formerly CMC Biopharmaceuticals A/S) has closed a share offering from lead investor Monitor Clipper. The round also included existing investor European Equity Partners (EEP) and other smaller investors.
UK - New Enterprise Associates leads £2m round in advertising company
New Enterprise Associates has led a £2m funding round in mobile advertising company Rapid Mobile Media. Edinburgh-based Rapid Mobile Media was founded in February 2004 and has launched a white-label platform for mobile advertising.
FRANCE – XAnge holds EUR 50m final close of first fund
XAnge Private Equity has held the final close of its first capital development fund, XPansion on EUR 50m. The fund was launched in July 2006.
DENMARK - Axcel acquires 60% of Pandora
Axcel has acquired 60% of Pandora, a Danish jewellery manufacturer, from its two founders, Per and Winnie Enevoldsen, their son and a number of senior staff, for an undisclosed value. The current owners will re-invest along with Axcel and hold the remaining...
SWITZERLAND - Riverside acquires EM Test Group
The Riverside Company has acquired EM Test Group for an undisclosed amount. The investment was made from REF III.
SWEDEN - EQT states offer for Securitas Direct is final
ESML Intressenter, jointly owned by EQT, Säkl, Melker Schörling AB and Investment AB Latour, will not increase any further its offer price for Securitas Direct.
NORWAY - Eqvitec backs KSD Software Norway
Eqvitec Technology Fund III has invested in KSD Software Norway AS, an Oslo-based software company.
FRANCE – Advent International grows team
Advent International has recruited Alice Escoffier as assistant director. Escoffier joined Advent from 3i where she worked for four years in the buyouts team.
UK - Balderton invests in online reservations system
London-based online restaurant reservation systems Livebookings has raised £6.5 million in a funding round led by Balderton Capital.
CEE - White & Case opens in Bucharest
White & Case has opened an office in Bucharest, headed by Todd Shollenbarger. He formerly led the southeast Europe practice group at Linklaters before moving to private equity firm KD Private Equity as the head of its Bucharest office. He leads a team...
CEE - Clifford Chance opens an office in Kiev
Clifford Chance, the world's largest law firm, will open an office in Kiev later this year.
GREECE - Vivartia strengthens its position in the Greek food market
MIG's food and beverage investment arm, Vivartia, is preparing a bid for the Everest group and Olympic catering, both Athens-listed food service companies. The deal will be done through newly created holding company Alkmini Catering. Vivartia owns 51%...
UK - NVM invests £1.5m in Paladin
NVM private equity has provided a further £1.5m to fund Paladin Group's acquisition of Phoenix Precision Electric.
SWEDEN - Altor to purchase Papyrus
Altor has agreed to back the buyout of Swedish paper business Payprus from existing parent Stora Enso. Göteborg-based Papyrus retains its management team and will pursue an acquisitive growth strategy following the deal. Handelsbanken is providing debt...
UK - Cognetas and Englefield acquire Morrison Utility Services
Cognetas and Englefield Capital have jointly acquired Morrison Utility Sevices, part of Anglican Water Group, for £135m in a management buyout.
UK - Third Financial changes name
Third Financial, launched last year by Stewart Foster and Roger Foster to take controlling stakes in companies operating in the financial software and services sector, has changed its name to Third Financial Ventures.
SPAIN – Corsabe invests in biotech player
Spanish private equity firm Corsabe has participated in a capital expansion round in biotechnology company Oryzon, acquiring a 3.5% stake. Ordesa Laboratories also invested for a 3% stake.