Octopus Ventures, an investor in early-stage and expanding companies, has invested GBP1.355m into GetOptics. This investment facilitates the acquisition of GetLenses and PostOptics, creating GetOptics.   The combination of the two companies under the new brand GetOptics creates the UK’s largest online contact lens and eye care product business. The

The hedge fund and private equity industries contribute EUR9bn (GBP7.9bn) in tax revenues to European Union governments, according to a survey by independent think tank Open Europe. Open Europe said the EUR9b tax contribution would be enough to fund the EU’s entire overseas aid budget for 12 years. The tax

A group of investors in Wind Hellas Telecommunications’ subordinated notes have formally organised a bondholder committee representing the interests of investors holding approximately EUR500m of debt in both the EUR and USD tranches. The committee has gained significant traction in recent days as increasing numbers of investors with interests in

The UK business failure rate has fallen to its lowest level since September 2008, according to figures from Experian, an information services company. The business failure rate had been on an upward trend since 2007. However, Experian’s new monthly Insolvency and Distress Index, shows that 0.09 per cent of UK

Rutland Partners, a UK private equity partnership, has completed the acquisition of the CeDo group of companies from Delton for GBP52.2m. The transaction was announced on 29 July 2009 and was conditional on merger control clearances which have now been received. CeDo is a manufacturer of household disposables, manufacturing both

Private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has increased its investment in Aricent, following the completion of an agreement between KKR and CPP Investment Board with Flextronics to purchase certain securities. The transaction, valued at USD255m, closed on 16 September 2009. “We are pleased to invest further in a company that

Calypso Medical Technologies, a developer of technology used for the precise tracking of tumour targets, has completed a USD50m round of venture capital financing, led by Skyline Ventures and Frazier Healthcare Ventures. Bay City Capital and InterWest Partners were also major investors in the financing. Proceeds from this financing will

Esbatech, a Swiss based unquoted portfolio company, has been acquired by Alcon to obtain Esbatech’s ophthalmic assets for USD150m upfront and USD439m in achievement based milestones. International Biotechnology Trust currently has an investment in Esbattech of GBP1,039,545, invested since July 2006. The director’s have changed the valuation of IBT’s interest

Beacon E&P, an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has received USD150m in equity commitments from Kayne Anderson Energy Funds, BAML Capital Partners, management and other investors. Beacon was formed in June 2009 by Jim Lightner, Rod Mellott and Stu Wagner. Lightner previously served as chairman,