News
SWITZERLAND - Jet Aviation strengthens US operations
Zurich-based Jet Aviation Group has acquired US firm Midcoast Aviation Inc for an undisclosed sum. Based in St Louis, Midcoast employs a staff of 850 and generated revenues of $138m in 2004/5.
UK - Noble launches top-up for Sitka Health Fund
Noble Fund Managers has announced that it has launched an offer for subscription for up to 780,025 shares to raise upwards of £700,000 of equity for the Sitka Health Fund VCT for the tax year 2005/6.
UK - Quester backs spin-out of chewing gum removal company
Revolymer Ltd, a University of Bristol spin-out company known for its new technology that has the potential to prevent gum from sticking to pavement, has received major investment from Quester-managed SULIS Seedcorn Fund and IP2IPO, the IP company that...
NORWAY-Thommessen is No. 8 in Europe in the energy sector
Norwegian law firm Thommessen has been ranked number eight in Europe in the energy, mining and utilities sector, according to mergermarket's league tables.
FRANCE - Duke Street begins build-up for Proclif
Duke Street Capital's portfolio company Proclif has today announced the acquisition of Clinique Lambert and its subsidiary Clinique La Montagne. This acquisition fits in with the Group’s build-up strategy put in place when Duke Street Capital made its...
UK - HMV rejects first Permira offer
The music and bookshop group HMV has rejected a £762m bid from the Permira, according to a report in The Independent.
FRANCE - Starwood Capital to sell Taittinger
JP Morgan and Rothschild have been mandated to run an auction for Starwood Capital’s imminent sale of Taittinger, according to press reports published today. Belgian billionaire Albert Frère, who exited his 25% interest in the French champagne producer...
FINLAND - CapMan exits from Puulämpö Yhtiöt Oy
Puulämpö Yhtiöt Oy, a portfolio company of CapMan funds Finnventure II, Finnventure III and Finnmezzanine I, will redeem the funds’ ownership in the company.
THE NETHERLANDS - VNU remains in buyout talks
VNU has announced that it continues to be in active talks with a private equity consortium over a proposed buyout of the company, and that its supervisory and executive boards expect to provide their view on the non-binding offer by the end of this month.
UK - Actionality receives seed funding from Doughty Hanson
Actionality, an emerging leader of automated in-game advertising and marketing solutions for the mobile market, has announced that it has secured seed financing from Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures.
SWEDEN - Martin Dawes Systems buys venture backed Visual Wireless
Martin Dawes Systems has announced its acquisition of Visual Wireless and the formation of a new international revenue assurance business.
GERMANY - Wellington invests in Eastbeam
Wellington Partners has invested in the Eastbeam Group in connection with an initial round of financing totaling EUR 3m. This German-Japanese company operates Wazap!, a vertical, i.e. subject-specific, search engine that users can employ to inform themselves...
UK - Pond III final close brings in additional US funds
Pond Venture Partners has announced that it has held a final close for its Pond III fund oversubscribed and above target at $145m.
UK - Truell eyes pension liabilities, FT reports
Edmund Truell, the founder of Duke Street Capital, has become the latest executive to set his sights on acquiring the assets and liabilities of mature occupational pension schemes, according to a report in the FT.
FRANCE - Erenis raises EUR 22.5m from venture consortium
Iris Capital has led a EUR 22.5m second round of funding in Erenis, France’s largest optical fibre operator firm. AGF Private Equity and Crédit Agricole Private Equity have co-invested in the firm, alongside existing investor Net Partner.
SWEDEN - Roschier Holmberg opens permanent office in Stockholm
Finnish law firm Roschier Holmberg will open its permanent Stockholm office this week.
ITALY - MCC-Sofipa invests in Vending System Italia
MCC Sofipa SpA, the private equity fund managed by Gruppo Capitalia, has acquired 70% of Vending System Italia SpA. The total value of the transaction has not been revealed although MCC Sofipa invested EUR 8.5m of equity through Sofipa Equity Fund. The...
UK - Apertio secures $30m Series B round
Apertio, a leading independent provider of subscriber-centric networks, has announced a $30m Series B funding round with existing investors Add Partners, DVC Deutsche Venture Capital, Eden Ventures, Motorola Ventures and The Tokarz Group. T-Mobile Venture...
UK - Silverstone Investment Network launches
Oxford Innovation has announced that Sir Jackie Stewart, president of British Racing Drivers Club, will be the guest speaker at the Official Launch of Silverstone Investment Network on 22 February at Silverstone Innovation Centre.
UK - Ingenious Media Active Capital unveils board appointments
Ingenious Media Plc has announced that Tony Ball and Neil Blackley have agreed to become chairman and non-executive director respectively of Ingenious Media Active Capital, the closed-ended investment company which will be incorporated in Guernsey and...
UK - Intuita merges with EVision
Manchester-based Intuita, a leading supplier of software to the UK construction industry has announced its merger with EVision Ltd as part of a buy-and-build strategy. Intuita, which underwent a management buyout last month, has followed the MBO with...
UK - Permira appoints three to the partnership
Permira has announced that Jörg Rockenhäuser, Richard Sanders and Federico Saruggia have been elected to partner. All appointments are effective immediately.
UK - YFM backs expansion plans for BFM Distributions
BFM Distributions, a Shipley-headquartered wholesale and retail distributor of motorcycle spares and accessories, has won venture capital backing from YFM Venture Finance for its expansion plans.
GERMANY - Triangle leads financing for game technology provider X-aitment
Triangle Venture Capital Group has led a EUR 3m funding round to enable German game technology imaging developer X-aitment to start up its operation.