Europe
LP interview: Sweden's AP2
Swedish pension fund AP2 could be about to see a significant jump in its private equity allocation. Head of alternatives Anders Strömblad outlines what the organization looks for in prospective portfolio GPs
Chinese GP buys Germany's Cordenka for $274m
BMC Europe Fund I, a PE vehicle launched earlier this year with support from Shanghai International Group (SIG), has completed its first investment with the acquisition of German industrial textiles manufacturer Cordenka for EUR240 million ($274 million).
Digital tools essential for modern day due diligence - AVCJ Forum
PE and VC investors in Asia are becoming more sophisticated in their approach to due diligence, with digital tools an increasingly important part of the skill set, the AVCJ Forum heard.
Quadrant-backed APM acquires UK-based WD Services
Advanced Personnel Management (APM), an Australian disability services provider purchased by Quadrant Private Equity last year, has acquired UK-based employment program operator WD Services.
Jungle co-leads $29m round for UK AI developer
Jungle Ventures has joined UK-based venture capital firm Lakestar to lead a $29 million Series A round for Engineer.ai, a developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software development tools.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF commits $500m to China-Russia fund
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will invest $500 million into the Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF), a vehicle established in 2012 by China Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
KKR-owned Calsonic Kansei agrees $7.1b bolt-on
Calsonic Kansei Corporation, a Japanese automotive components manufacturer acquired by KKR last year, has agreed to buy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) components business for EUR6.2 billion ($7.1 billion).
China looks further afield for deals as US tensions mount - M&A Forum
The escalating Sino-US trade war and tighter US regulatory scrutiny of inbound deals has promoted Chinese buyers to pursue investments in new markets, but they must be prepared to overcome opposition in these destinations as well, the China M&A Forum...
China-Europe: A sense of uncertainty
Chinese interest in European assets – from industrial technology to consumer brands – is undimmed, but certain governments, as well as the EU itself, are taking steps to protect their crown jewels
Q&A: Eurazeo's Eddie Chen
Eurazeo is a publicly-listed French private equity firm, formed in 2001 through the merger of Eurafrance and Azeo. China head Eddie Chen explains why the GP opened a Shanghai office five years ago
AGIC exits Italian robotics business for $436m
AGIC Capital, a private equity firm focused on cross-border investments, has exited its stake in Italian robotics supplier Gimatic to US-based industrial products manufacturer Barnes Group for EUR370 million ($436 million) in cash.
FountainVest pursues $5.3b European sports acquisition
A consortium including FountainVest Partners and Chinese athletics supplier Anta Sports have made a preliminary offer to acquire Finland-based Amer Sports for about EUR4.6 billion ($5.3 billion).
China’s GL commits $12.5m to UK-listed healthtech platform
GL Capital, a healthcare-focused GP based in China, has invested GBP9.75 million ($12.5 million) in UK-listed health technology platform Oxford BioDynamics (OBD) as part of a larger partnership aimed at expansion in China.
JD.com-backed Farfetch to go public in US
UK-based luxury online fashion retailer Farfetch, which has received significant funding from Asian investors including China’s JD.com, has filed for a US IPO.
Cathay reaches $700m first close on Sino-European fund
Cathay Capital Private Equity has reached a first close of EUR600 million ($702 million) for its latest middle-market Sino-European fund. The target is EUR1.2 billion.
China's Yunfeng buys German pharma player
China’s Yungfeng Capital has teamed up with Shenzhen-based Hybio Pharmaceutical to acquire diversified German biopharmaceuticals company AMW for an undisclosed sum.
Temasek, RRJ to take 49% stake in HNA-owned Gategroup
Temasek Holdings and RRJ Capital have invested an unspecified amount for a significant minority stake in Gategroup, an airline catering provider owned by troubled Chinese conglomerate HNA Group.
PE-backed Cushman & Wakefield prepares for US listing
A global commercial property services provider that TPG Capital and PAG Asia Capital created through the merger of Australia’s DTZ with US-based Cassidy Turley and Cushman & Wakefield, has filed for a US IPO.
China cross-border GP AGIC opens London office
AGIC Capital, a private equity firm focused on China-Europe cross-border investments, has opened an office in London to access new investment opportunities and grow its investor base.
Portfolio: Cathay Capital and Shopal
Shopal’s cross-border marketing ambitions and Cathay Capital’s Sino-French investment history have proven to be a strong match for tackling the expanding Chinese high-end consumer market
CITIC Capital invests China-Europe logistics providers
CITIC Capital has backed two China-Europe logistics providers in separate deals of undisclosed size. The GP is investing via its Silk Road Fund, which targets geographies in China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) agenda.
East Ventures joins $32m ICO for Swiss bitcoin app
East Ventures, a VC firm focused on Japan and Southeast Asia, has joined a $32 million initial coin offering (ICO) for Switzerland-based bitcoin wallet operator BRD.
Baring Asia, PAI Partners buy cargo freight manager
Baring Private Equity Asia has teamed up with Europe-focused PAI Partners to acquire World Freight Company International (WFCI), which markets and manages cargo freight capacity for airlines.
Deal focus: CITIC backs China geothermal energy player
Investing in Icelandic geothermal energy required a certain level of creative thinking from CITIC Capital and China Everbright. But their partner, Artic Green Energy, is already making a difference in China's polluted cities
