Citadel Capital, Africa’s largest private equity firm, plans to invest a further USD200m to USD400m over the coming two years in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The announcement was made by Ahmed Heikal, Citadel Capital’s chairman and founder, and comes in the wake of the firm’s investments in Sudan. To date,

KupiVIP.ru, a Russian online shopping club, has raised USD20m in funding led by venture capital firm Accel Partners. Accel Partners was joined by existing investors Mangrove Capital Partners, Arlan, Direct Group and business angel, Oliver Jung. Sonali De Rycker (pictured) from Accel Partners will join KupiVIP.ru’s board as part of

Intuit has completed the sale of Intuit Real Estate Solutions to Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on investments in software and technology-enabled businesses. The transaction, announced on 2 December 2009, is valued at approximately USD128m. Intuit Real Estate Solutions, based in Highland Hills, Ohio, was part of

HarbourVest Private Equity’s net asset value per share was USD8.55 at 31 December 2009, representing a 1.8 per cent increase from the 30 November 2009 estimated NAV per share of USD8.40. This change was driven primarily by a positive valuation adjustment (approximately USD0.26 per share) taken by the HarbourVest funds

Private equity firm Guardian Capital Partners has completed the final closing of Guardian Capital Partners Fund I with slightly more than USD50m in aggregate capital commitments. The fund’s principal focus is to lead the acquisition of controlling interests in lower middle market manufacturing and service businesses in the US. “We

TelStar Hosted Services has purchased of the assets of TouchStar’s Hosted division with private equity funding from William & Gallagher and Grindstone Partners. TelStar Hosted Services is a communications-as-a-service organisation providing on demand contact/call centre solutions to over 200 corporate clients. Williams & Gallagher and Grindstone Partners acted as lead

Investcorp Technology Partners, the technology private equity arm of alternative investment manager Investcorp, has agreed to acquire an equity stake in CSIdentity, a Texas-based provider of identity theft and fraud protection services.  CSIdentity was started by entrepreneur and co-founder Bill Morrow. Investcorp’s Fund III has made an initial investment of

Private equity firm Guardian Capital Partners has acquired the majority ownership of Sure Fit from D.E. Shaw. Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Sure Fit is a provider of ready-made slipcovers and related accessories. Its product line includes slipcovers for sofas, loveseats, chairs, recliners, ottomans and futons as well as furniture throws

Private equity firm HIG Capital has completed the recapitalization of TrakAmerica and the acquisition of Allion Healthcare. Founded in 2000 and based in Naples, Florida, Trak is a provider of accounts receivable management services to consumer credit originators and debt buyers. HIG Capital led the transaction in collaboration with the