News
DENMARK - Polaris sells Dansk Droge to Orkla
Polaris Private Equity has entered into an agreement to sell its shares in Dansk Droge to Orkla. The Sports Nutrition companies SPP in Sweden and Finland are not included in this transaction.
UK - Barclays Ventures exits Canada Square Health and Fitness Ltd
Barclays Ventures has completed the sale of Canada Square Health and Fitness Ltd, the operator of the prestigious 'Reebok Sports Club London' in Canary Wharf, to an overseas private investment group for an undisclosed amount.
FINLAND - 3i and Nordic Venture Partners invest EUR 4m in Meridea
Meridea has received around EUR 4m in growth capital from existing investors 3i and Nordic Venture Partners.
FRANCE - French government will double contribution into Oséo by 2007
Groupe Oséo has announced that state contributions will increase from EUR 200m in 2005 to EUR 400m in 2007.
UK - FT analyses PIK financing trend following refinancing of New Look
Following a further round of financing of New Look yesterday, which included approximately £350m worth of PIK notes, the Financial Times has today published an article analysing the increasing use of payment-in-kind loans. These are increasingly used...
UK - Caledonia backs management buyout of Celerant Consulting
The management of Celerant Consulting, the global operations management consultancy based in Richmond, UK announced that they have agreed with Novell Inc, to acquire Novell’s majority shareholding for a total of approximately $77m. As a result of the...
UK - Wragge & Co appoints fifth partner
Wragge & Co LLP has boosted its private equity practice with the appointment of Ian Piggin as its fifth partner.
NORWAY - Argentum delivers record profits
Norwegian Argentum has announced record results. The state-owned fund-of-funds generated EBIT of NOK 472m and net profits of NOK 452m in 2005. In Q1 2006, it recorded net profits of NOK 175m.
UK - 3i set to re-enter baby product market with offer for Mayborn
3i has announced that it has made a recommended offer to Mayborn Group Plc, the manufacturer and distributor of Tommee Tippee baby and Dylon fabric dye brands. The offer values the business, which has a turnover of over £80m and is currently listed on...
NORWAY - VC-backed Trolltech applies for listing
Trolltech has filed an application for listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Index Ventures owns 22.3% of the company, Teknoinvest 11.1% and Northzone Ventures 4.8%.
FRANCE - Dii opens its capital to BNP Paribas Développement
BNP Paribas has bought a 25% share of Development Institute International (Dii) for an undisclosed sum, diluting management’s total hold of the company’s capital.
NETHERLANDS - VNU receives more than 80% of support for IPO
Industry sources suggest that more than 80% of VNU's share capital has been tendered, following Valcon's announcement that it declared its offer unconditional at 78.80%.
FRANCE - 21 Centrale Partners buys industrial lighting specialist
French financial investor 21 Centrale Partners has backed the leveraged buyout of Auteroche-ABL, for an undisclosed amount.
FRANCE - Bruno Ziegler acquires FMA with two French GP's back-up
Swiss businessman Bruno Ziegler has backed the MBI of IT maintenance company FMA, alongside regional private equity houses Centre Capital Developpement (CCD) and Euro Capital.
FRANCE - French pharmaceutical company raises fourth round of financing
Limonest-based OPi has raised EUR 4.5m from its fourth round of financing. The syndicate of investors includes Innoveris (15%), Spef Ventures (14%), FCJE (13%), Sofimac (11%), Siparex (7%), BioMérieux (4%), Sud Partners (5%), Rhone-Alpes Création (2%)...
FRANCE - Prado Finance makes two acquisitions in aeronautics
Belgian private equity house Prado Finance has acquired medium-range airline Axis Airways and private jet maintenance company Uni Air Entreprise.
FRANCE - Galileo Partners injects EUR 2m in Talend
According to press sources, French privatre equity house Galileo Partners has invested EUR 2m in software developer Talend.
SWEDEN - Palamon Capital Partners acquires Espresso House and Coffe Cup
Palamon Capital Partners has acquired a 94% stake in Espresso House Sweden AB and 100% of the shares in Coffee Cup AB for a total of SEK 103m.
FRANCE - Investcorp acquires office supplies giant Orefi
Investcorp has backed the buyout of Orefi, for an undisclosed sum.
NETHERLANDS - Apollo Management to list publicly traded fund
Following KKR, Apollo Management is now planning to raise $1.5bn in a publicly traded fund, according to press reports.
NORWAY - NeoMed's Clavis Pharma to go public
Clavis Pharma ASA has applied for listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange and plans to go public this summer. The company, which is backed by NeoMed, plans to conduct an IPO in the order of NOK 200m. The present largest shareholders intend to participate with...
UK - Hellman & Friedman set to announce £550m buyout of Gartmore
US private equity firm, Hellman & Friedman, is reported to have backed the management buyout of fund management group Gartmore. The £550m deal is expected to be announced today following seven months of negotiations, according to The Daily Telegraph.
GERMANY - Q-Cells nominated World Entrenpreneur of the Year
Reiner Lemoine and Anton Milner, who founded Q-Cells in 1999, will be representing Germany in the World Entrepreneur of the Year awards run by Ernst & Young in Monte Carlo. The maker of photovoltaic cells currently employs a staff of more than 700 in...
FRANCE - OTC AM injects EUR 2m in RVR Systems
RVR Systems has secured a EUR 2m first round of financing from OTC AM.