Europe
Templeton reaches final close on fourth emerging markets fund
Franklin Templeton has reached a final close of more than $220 million on its latest emerging markets fund. The vehicle, which launched in March 2012 with a target of $300 million, has already made three investments.
Australia's CHAMP PE seeks London listing for Shelf Drilling
Shelf Drilling, a shallow water drilling services company set up by Australia’s CHAMP Private Equity in conjunction with its US affiliate Castle Harlan and Lime Rock Partners, plans to list on the London Stock Exchange in May.
Japan's Globis re-ups in UK educational app developer
Globis Capital Partners, the Japanese venture capital firm, has returned to lead a GBP3.4 million ($5.8 mllion) Series B round for Quipper, a UK company that develops educational mobile applications.
Indian Angel Network in UK start-up SwiftShift
The Indian Angel Network (IAN) has committed an undisclosed sum in London-based workforce management tool SwiftShift. This is the group's first UK investment.
Spain's Telefonica signs up Chinese incubator
Wayra, Spanish telecom giant Telefonica’s accelerator initiative, has signed an agreement with Virtue Inno Valley (VIV), an incubator program backed by China’s Tsinghua University.
Japan's Mitsui, RDIF invest in Russia-based Cotton Way
Japan's Mitsui & Co has teamed up with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to invest in Cotton Way, a commercial laundry and textile management company based in Moscow. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
EQT’s new fund goes global
The acquisition of a 65% stake in Qinyuan Bakery in 2010 was EQT Partners’ debut food service sector investment in China. Yet the deal was familiar territory for the GP, which was able draw on previous portfolio investments in Europe, including Vaasan&Vassan,...
VC firms back Irish start-ups in China
Led by the likes of Google, Facebook and LinkedIn, US tech companies have flocked to Ireland due to its EU access and business friendly policies, creating around 140,000 local jobs in the process. This has fostered spin-outs and serial entrepreneurs across...
Singapore's Luminor Capital invests $6.1m Swiss NGFI
Luminor Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm, has invested CHF5.5 million ($6.1 million)in Switzerland's Next Generation Finance Invest (NGFI).
Fosun pays $1.36b to buy Portugese insurer Caixa
China's Fosun International has acquired an 80% stake in Caixa Seguros e Saúde (CSS), the insurance unit of Portugese state bank Caixa Geral de Depositos SA for EUR1 billion ($1.36 billion), beating out Apollo Management International.
Adveq appoints new Asia head
Swiss fund-of-funds Adveq has promoted Viswanathan Parameswar to executive director and chosen him to head the firm's Asia program.
Global PE fundraising reaches $431b in 2013 – Preqin
Private equity firms raised $431 billion globally in 2013, up 13% on 2012 levels, largely thanks to robust activity in North America and Europe. It is the highest amount in any year since the global financial crisis.
GIC acquires Blackstone stake in London office building
GIC Private, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, has acquired The Blackstone Group's 50% stake in 5 Broadgate (5BG), a London office building which is due for completion in 2015, for around GBP1.7 billion ($2.8 billion).
VIDEO: Steve Koltes of CVC Capital Partners
CVC Capital Partners has completed two control deals in China in 2013 and Steve Koltes, the firm's co-founder and co-chairman, expects more to follow. This evolution of opportunities in existing markets - plus the opening up of new markets - will see...
Japan's Sompo agrees purchase of Bregal-owned insurer Canopius
Sompo Japan Insurance has agreed to acquire Canopius Group, a UK insurer which is 84%-owned by London-headquartered private equity firm Bregal Capital.
Q&A: Bain Capital's Dwight Poler
Dwight Poler, managing director with Bain Capital in Europe, on the openings created by economic volatility in the euro zone and supporting portfolio companies that seek expansion in Asia
SDCL launches $200m UK-China energy efficiency fund
UK-based Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL) has teamed up with with Hong Kong private equity infrastructure firm First Eastern Investment Group to launch a $200 million fund that will invest in energy efficiency projects in the UK and China.
Espirito Santo, Dabur's Burmans plan to launch PE fund
The investment bank arm of Portuguese financial group Espirito Santo plans to a launch a private equity fund in partnership with the Burman family - the promoters of Indian healthcare and food company Dabur Group - to invest in medium and small-cap companies.
Gaw Capital acquires London property for Korean investors
Gaw Capital Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity real estate firm, has acquired Waterside House - an office building in London - on behalf of a pool of South Korean institutional investors.
Investors adapt to adversity – AVCJ Forum
Flexibility and changing strategy are key to finding the best opportunities in the current adverse environment, investors told the AVCJ Forum in Hong Kong.
CIC to buy London business park from Blackstone - report
China Investment Corporation is in exclusive talks to acquire Chiswick Park - a 32-acre UK business park - from The Blackstone Group.
Fundraising and pension reform: A slow-burn issue
Defined benefit public pension plans are one of PE’s biggest bank rollers, so the rise in defined contribution plans – that tend to favor liquid assets – is a long-term concern. There must be compromise on both sides
RRJ ups stake in ING's US insurance business - report
RRJ Capital is said to have upped its stake in the US insurance unit of ING Group, investing a further $248 million.
AlpInvest holds $750m final close on Secondaries Fund V
AlpInvest Partners has closed its Secondaries Fund V (ASF V) at the hard cap of $750 million, exceeding its initial target of $500 million.