London based investment and advisory firm Ariadne Capital has secured GBP2.9 million of funding for five UK based high growth start-ups in the last six months, with several additional deals soon to close. Ariadne focuses on early stage investments in internet and mobile companies led by entrepreneurs with an existing

4vco, a UK consultancy specialising exclusively in private equity (PE) operations, has identified significant differences in the operational set-up of PE furms. A key finding is that many PE firms significantly underutilize the full benefits that software and technology can provide in boosting performance, efficiency and relationships with investors. However,

MVC Capital has closed the sale of portfolio company Dakota Growers Pasta Company to Viterra, Inc for USD240 million in cash. MVC will be receiving net proceeds of approximately USD38 million from the sale posting a six year IRR of 27.6% including dividends received and fees earned over the life

Eurazeo has reported revenues from its private equity activities in Q1 2010 of EUR852.8 million, an increase of 4.1 per cent as reported, and 2.3 per cent on a comparable basis. Revenues for real estate increased 6.5 per cent in the same period to EUR8.8 million. Eurazeo has reported revenues

Fitch Ratings has published its revised methodology relating to the analysis of European covered bonds secured on commercial mortgage loans. The revised approach measures more precisely the credit risks of granular commercial mortgage loan portfolios securing covered bonds. The main methodological change is driven by the type of borrower. Particular analytical

Actis, an emerging markets private equity specialist, has completed its investment in KS Distribution following the approval by the Singapore Courts of the inter conditional schemes of arrangement in respect of Aqua-Terra Supply and SSH. The creation of KS Distribution, in a SGD320m deal funded by Actis and KS Energy,

Investors’ views about the US are very positive with 65 per cent saying they would buy US equities this year versus 21 per cent Europe and 14 per cent Japan, according to a poll by Schroders. At a recent Schroders investment conference in London, 95 intermediary clients from across the

US venture capital investment in cleantech companies in Q1 2010 hit USD733.3m in 72 financing rounds, a 68 per cent increase in capital and a 118 per cent increase in deals compared to Q1 2009, according to an Ernst & Young analysis based on data from Dow Jones VentureSource.  Compared

Rainbow Early Education, a provider of early education services for children in the US mid-west, east and southeast, has received an investment from private equity firm Spire Capital Partners in partnership with management to acquire and organically build upon its existing footprint of schools. As part of the investment, Rainbow