Weekly round-up: exceeding expectations

unquote" learned that August Equity Partners is just weeks away from a final close, exceeding its £180m target. The GP has had to significantly diversify its LP base, with around 40% of existing investors unable to re-up. But the two investments it has already completed, coupled with a further two expected in January, could provide a reassuring window to fund strategy for new investors.

Over in the Benelux region, unquote" revealed that corporate carve-outs kept dealflow afloat despite the recent slowdown. The region has proved particulalry hungry for corporate spinouts, with CVC recently signing for a portion of Campbell Soup's European activities. But with family offices looking for a slice of the pie too, competition is rising.

After a lacklustre third quarter, the outlook is brightening for French mid-market dealflow as a handful of new investments in Q4 point to a potential market recovery. unquote" explored the latest data and the recent push of alternative lenders to support local dealflow.

The Italian PE industry woke from its summertime slumber in Q4, with October deal value exceeding all previous quarters this year. unquote" took a look at the latest deals, which revealed that, once again, Italian fashion continues to catch the eye of investors.

GPs are considering a more creative approach to exits as a result of rising pressure to return cash to investors. Ted Cominos, partner at law firm Edwards Wildman, explored the secondary "selfie" with unquote", outlining a growing trend that sees GPs sell an asset from one vintage fund to its successor.

That's all from me this week but if you have any comments on this week's analysis, please send your thoughts to amy.king@incisivemedia.com

You can continue to follow me and the rest of the unquote" team via @unquotenews for all the latest private equity and venture capital updates and of course on unquote.com.

Amy King
Senior Reporter, unquote"

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