News

| French Corporations Back Second Energy Venture Fund 8 February, 2010
Two French corporations, both with expertise in the energy sector, are backing Aster Capital’s second venture capital fund, earmarked to finance start-ups specialising in energy and the environment. The target range is €120m and €150m.
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Swedish Pension Fund Looks To Asia in 2010 8 February, 2010
Sweden’s largest pension manager, Första AP-fonden, also known as AP1, is all set to back its first Asian fund in 2010 as part of a major ramp-up of its private equity allocation.
Former GIC Team Raises Close to US$1bn for Axiom II 8 February, 2010
Axiom Asia Private Capital Management Services, the Asian fund-of-funds set up by former professionals from the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, is celebrating the final close of its second fund-of-funds, Axiom Asia Private Capital Fund II, L.P.
Final Close for Nordic Mezzanine Fund 8 February, 2010
Finnish mezzanine provider Nordic Mezzanine has reached a final close on Nordic Mezzanine Fund III at €320m, marking a 30% increase in size from its predecessor.
Unigestion Hits First Close On Secondary Fund 8 February, 2010
Unigestion has reached a first close on Unigestion Secondary Opportunity II LP, securing €135m in commitments. The Swiss asset manager expects to reach the target size of €150m by the summer. The hard cap has been set at €200m.
Allianz Looks to Increase PE investment 8 February, 2010
Europe’s biggest insurance company, Allianz, may increase its current level of buyout fund investments by as much as €15bn from its own balance sheet in the next few years.
Advent acquires pension administrator 3 February, 2010
Duke Street sells Xafinity for £190m
Warburg pays £280m for Survitec 3 February, 2010
Permira loses out to Warburg
Frog leaps into German biogas 3 February, 2010
agri.capital receives €3m
GMT promotes 3 February, 2010
GMT Communications Partners, the London-based private equity firm specializing in investments in the communications sector, has made two senior appointments.
Gresham achieves 3.4x return 3 February, 2010
Handicare buys Minivator
Oak Hill backs Irish financier 1 February, 2010
US-based private equity group Oak Hill Capital Partners is gearing up to provide US$500m to Avolon, an aircraft leasing company founded by Irish financier Dómhnal Slattery.
PE firms look to ICT acquisitions 1 February, 2010
Eighty four per cent of private equity investors backing information and communication technologies plan to undertake an acquisition in the sector over the next 12 months, according to a survey conducted by Grant Thornton.
Buyout firms look to forensics 1 February, 2010
Private equity firms Doughty Hanson, Bridgepoint and BC Partners are currently bidding for forensic research group, LGC.
Accel backs online fashion 1 February, 2010
Venture capital firm Accel Partners has led a US$20m funding into Russian online shopping club KupiVIP.ru,
Allianz to double PE allocation 1 February, 2010
German insurer Allianz is looking to raise its private equity investments to €30bn in the coming years, or double the current level.
Permira sells off Freenet 1 February, 2010
UK private equity firm Permira is selling its remaining 10.1% stake in German mobile group Freenet.
PE firm goes shopping 1 February, 2010
Private equity real estate investor MGPA has invested €236m in three Polish shopping centres.
AXA and F2i back out of gas grid 1 February, 2010
A consortium of Italian investment fund F2i and Paris-based AXA Private Equity are no longer in the running to buy E.ON’s Italian gas distribution grid.