The number and size of US sponsor-backed going private transactions were each lower in 2012 than in 2011 and 2010, according to a report by law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges.   However, when excluding the soft first quarter of 2012, deal activity was on par with such earlier years.

Petra Capital Partners has completed fundraising on Petra Growth Fund III with USD230m of capital available to invest.   The fund is structured as a small business investment company (SBIC) licensed by the US Small Business Administration.   “We are very pleased with the response from our existing investors and

Avista Capital Partners’ ACP Tower Merger Sub has commenced a cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Telular Corporation at a price of USD12.61 net per share.   The tender offer is being made in connection with the agreement and plan of merger, dated as of 29

High Road Capital Partners has completed the acquisition of The Crown Group. Based in Warren, Michigan with seven manufacturing facilities across the US, The Crown Group is a provider of coating services and solutions to the automotive, agricultural, heavy truck and other industrial end markets. High Road partnered with Charter Oak

Software developer Beyond Verbal has closed a USD2.8m round of funding led by angel investor Kenges Rakishev and Genesis Angels.   Following the investment, Rakishev (pictured) is joining Beyond Verbal’s board of directors.   Beyond Verbal has launched a patented technology that can extract, decode, and measure a full spectrum

Littlejohn & Co, a private investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, is to sell CTI Foods, a provider of custom food solutions to major chain restaurants in North America.   The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013.   Littlejohn acquired CTI Foods in 2010 and

LiquidSpace, the web and mobile platform that finds on-demand office and meeting space, has raised a follow-on of USD1.3m to the USD6m series B funding raised earlier this year.   The funding comes from two new investors – Steelcase and CBRE Group.   As companies increasingly re-evaluate their workplace strategies,

Flagship Food Group has agreed to terms to acquire Atlantic Foods Group.   The transaction will bring together two businesses focused on developing, sourcing, manufacturing, and distributing a wide range of food products for retail and restaurant customers.    UK-based Atlantic Foods Group will bolster Flagships’ international presences while adding

Logistics recruitment company Templine EmploymentAgency, which is backed by private equity house Key Capital Partners, has completed the acquisition of A&A Recruitment.   Ashby-de-la-Zouch-based A&A Recruitment is a well-established agency with 27 years’ experience, a reputation for high service levels and a significant profile in the area’s industrial and commercial