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Deals

Aliter Capital has completed a transaction which will see Sponge UK (Sponge), a custom digital learning solutions specialist, coming together with Glasgow-based Bolt Learning (Bolt) to create a new player in the learning technology sector. Sponge designs and develops bespoke digital learning solutions, including eLearning, learning games, motion graphics, interactive video and immersive technologies (such as VR and AR) and blended learning solutions. Sponge works with some of the world’s largest brands and its solutions are used in more than 124 countries worldwide, with capability to translate into over 200 languages. Bolt was acquired by Aliter in June 2019 and
Foresight Group has made a GBP749,000 growth capital investment into Promethean Particles (Promethean), a company specialising in the manufacturing of nanomaterials.  The finance boost will allow the firm to create new jobs, scale its production capabilities and enter untapped global markets. The investment has been made using finance from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and is part of a GBP1.25 million funding round led by Foresight and supported by the University of Nottingham, East Midlands Early Growth Fund (managed by the British Business Financial Services), and other existing investors. Promethean was founded in 2007 as a spin-out from the University
Chatham Financial has acquired the JCRA Group, significantly expanding the firm’s presence in Europe. Chatham and JCRA specialise in providing debt and derivatives solutions to commercial real estate, private equity, infrastructure, financial institutions, and corporate clients. Chatham and JCRA collectively serve over 3,000 clients and advise on more than 20,000 transactions with a notional amount in excess $700 billion each year. The merged firm will lead the industry in capital markets expertise, transaction volume, and technology – providing clients access to the data, tools, and advice they need to manage financial risk.   “Clients of both firms will benefit from
Bunker Hill Capital, a  Boston-based private equity investor in lower middle market companies, has sold ASPEQ Heating Group (ASPEQ), a St Louis-based manufacturer of highly engineered electric‐heating and thermal‐management technologies to San Francisco-based Industrial Growth Partners. Bunker Hill Capital acquired ASPEQ in June 2015 and was joined in the transaction with equity, senior debt and subordinated debt financing from management, Abacus Finance Group, Madison Capital Funding, BB&T Capital Partners and BMO Mezzanine Fund. In addition to the incumbent management team, Bunker Hill Capital recruited Dave Smith as CEO in 2017, and Jim Killeen as Vice President of Sales in early 2018.    “We
Keensight Capital, a private equity managers dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout investment has signed an exclusivity agreement with mid cap investor Naxicap with a view to buying a majority stake in Sogelink, a provider of vertical software solutions for infrastructure sector professionals. Keensight Capital will become the majority shareholder of Sogelink, alongside Naxicap, management and employees. Founded in 2000, Sogelink designs, develops and markets software and SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions intended to simplify and optimise complex business processes in the building site, infrastructure and property management industry. With its unique collaborative platform, Sogelink stands as a pioneer and
Zeus Capital, an independent investment bank, has advised on eight transactions across public and private markets since June 2019, with a gross value of approximately GBP600 million. Zeus Capital has been particularly active in the consumer market, working with a number of technology-enabled businesses. The firm acted as the sole financial advisor to Manchester-based retail company, boohoo.com, on its acquisition of of two British brands, Karen Millen and Coast. The deal saw boohoo purchase the online operations and intellectual property rights of the two companies.   Zeus Capital also acted as financial adviser to Gousto, a supplier of subscription meal
Halal baby food manufacturer for aisha has secured the backing of the Foresight Group, an independent infrastructure and private equity investment firm. The investment will enable for aisha to develop its UK and international expansion plans, bolster its management team and further invest in its trade and consumer marketing activities.   For aisha was founded by Mark Salter in 2015. It is currently the only halal baby food manufacturer in the UK.   “for aisha is aimed at all parents who want to feed their children nutritious meals with real ingredients,” says Salter. “We have a wide variety of meals
Private equity firm New Water Capital (NWC) has made a significant investment in the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) sector, with the recapitalisation of DataED and Bestronics – two Tier III manufacturers focusing on high-mix, low/medium-volume printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) and box builds. Founded in 1980, Salem, New Hampshire-based DataED’s manufacturing capacity includes 75,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities in Salem, including a New Product Introduction facility, as well as two manufacturing plants totaling 85,000 square feet located in Shenzhen, China. Bestronics, founded in 1990, operates a world-class, 145,000-square-foot campus, including high-tech manufacturing and dedicated box build manufacturing facilities, in
Puma Private Equity (Puma), the private equity division of Puma Investments, has completed a GBP2.75 million investment in MyKindaFuture (MKF). The capital injection will enable MKF to expand its mission to help employers access a broader and more diverse talent pool, improve retention rates and tackle skills shortages.    As the UK’s largest emerging talent specialist, MKF offers a one-stop-shop for businesses looking to build meaningful relationships with future employees, especially at apprentice and graduate level. The outcomes have already proven hugely successful, reducing drop-out rates through the recruitment process by as much as 44%, and improving retention rates once
LawnStarter, an on-demand platform for outdoor services, has secured a USD10.5 million growth investment from growth investor Edison Partners. The new funding will enable LawnStarter to continue its growth in lawn care across the US and add new outdoor service lines including landscaping, fertilisation, pest control, and tree care. Austin-based LawnStarter began by creating an easy way for consumers to order, manage, and pay for lawn mowing using services provided by a network of high-quality and insured service providers. The company has since been welcomed in 120 U.S. markets, grown 100% year over year and reached profitability. “In the highly

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