Newton, an operational and financial improvement specialist in Europe, believes current market conditions have created an opportunity for private equity portfolio companies to deliver value and efficiencies. During the depths of a recession, some companies go under and this sets up a new marketplace dynamic that only really reveals itself

LLR Partners, a middle market private equity firm with over USD1.4bn under management, has provided over USD35m of growth equity to IOD of Green Bay, Wisconsin. IOD is a provider of release of information, scanning and imaging, EMR conversion, and other information services to hospitals and medical clinics across the

E-Trader Group, founded by serial entrepreneur Harvey Sinclair and ex net-a-porter finance director Murray Salmon, has secured second round funding from its existing backer MMC Ventures to support the growth of the business. E-Trader has also appointed John Morris as chief operating officer. Morris joins with a wealth of online

Nogales Investors, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, has made a USD6m follow-on investment in its portfolio company Naartjie Kids, a branded retailer for children’s clothing. This follows Nogales’ USD15m growth equity investment made in 2008 to expand the company’s store base beyond the western US and capitalise on the

A Russian venture capital fund, Runa Capital, has been launched by Serguei Beloussov (pictured), chairman of Parallels who also serves on the board of directors of Acronis, and Alexander Galitsky, founder of Almaz Capital Partners. The fund will offer approximately USD30m in seed financing to early-stage internet and software companies.

GE has launched a USD200m open innovation challenge that seeks breakthrough ideas to create a smarter, cleaner and more efficient electric grid, and accelerate the adoption of more efficient grid technologies. The challenge invites technologists, entrepreneurs and start-ups to share their best ideas and come together to take on one

Viola Private Equity will invest USD17m in Adsmarket, a media performance and internet advertising company valued at USD75m, and will hold 21 per cent of the company shares. Of the full investment amount, USD12m will be used to acquire shares from current shareholders and USD5m will be invested in the

Scytl, a Barcelona-based provider of internet voting technology, has closed a USD9.2m investment led by Balderton Capital, one of Europe’s largest venture capital investors, and supported by Nauta Capital, an existing investor in Scytl. The investment will enable Scytl to consolidate its position in the electronic voting market and support