A resurgence of investor confidence in public markets in the closing months of 2012 has left private equity funds facing an increasingly competitive environment for deals, according to research released by BDO’s corporate finance team. With private equity already facing a dearth of quality deals, public company valuations have risen

Two of Kirtland Capital Partners’ portfolio companies have completed strategic add-on acquisitions. Precision Dialogue, based in Chicago, acquired Hub Marketing Solutions, while SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, headquartered in Long Island, NY, acquired CRE Computer Rentals & AV Solutions. Precision Dialogue is an analytics-driven customer engagement firm that improves

US retail and consumer merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in 2012 was primarily driven by corporations spinning off businesses, private equity investment in retail, increased cross border activity and expansion into e-commerce, according to PwC’s US retail and consumer M&A insights 2012 Year in Review and 2013 Outlook report. The

The Thames Valley and South Coast corporate finance team of James Cowper has secured the sale of Reading-based Aggregated Telecom for an undisclosed sum. Acting on behalf of the company’s owner, James Cowper sold 8el to Selection Services, backed by Palatine Private Equity. Founded in 2001 by Justin Hamilton-Martin, Aggregated

BioClinica, a provider of clinical trial management solutions, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a holding company controlled by private equity firm JLL Partners. Simultaneously, JLL Partners has reached a definitive agreement to acquire CoreLab Partners, a provider of medical imaging solutions and cardiac safety services

Israel Cleantech Ventures (ICV) has held the final closing of its second fund with just above USD74m in commitments. Having raised its debut fund in 2007, ICV now has approximately USD150m under management. ICV’s second fund has attracted new limited partners, including institutional investors, multi-national corporations and family offices. Many

Omnes Capital (formerly Crédit Agricole Private Equity), via the LCL Régions Développement and CAPE Région Expansion funds, and Odyssée Venture are investing in a management buy-out deal for Nomios, alongside the founding director Sébastien Kher and key employees. Based in Boulogne Billancourt, Nomios is a specialist integrator in the fields

P&P Water Holdings (Greece), an affiliate of Paine & Partners Capital Fund III, has completed the acquisition of majority ownership of Eurodrip, a manufacturer and supplier of drip irrigation solutions. As part of the investment, which was previously announced in October 2012, Water Holdings purchased all of the shares of