Paris-based investment firm Tikehau Group is to become a 35 per cent shareholder in Duke Street and provide committed capital to accelerate the firm’s deal-by-deal model.   In partnership with Tikehau, Duke Street will have the capacity to underwrite any new deals in its target range.   Both firms are looking to build on each other’s strengths to form a new operating model in the private equity industry. As part of the agreement, and with the support of Tikehau, Duke Street will use the cash injection to launch a new fund focused on controlling stake investments in the European mid-market.

Strand Equity Partners, a growth equity fund focused on consumer brands, has acquired a minority ownership stake in Bai, a 100 per cent natural beverage that is only five calories, infused with coffeefruit and flavoured with exotic fruit juices.    Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.   Ben Weiss, founder and chief executive of Bai, launched the brand in 2009 with the mission to share the powerful antioxidant of coffee’s superfruit with consumers by producing refreshing beverages that harness the unique ingredient. Bai (Mandarin for "pure") delivers 100 per cent natural infusions with one gram of free-radical fighting

UltraSoC has closed a funding round of USD2.3m by securing further investment from Octopus Investments, bringing the total investment in the business to date to USD7.5m.   The investment will help fund the expansion of the company as it takes its debug and optimisation silicon IP technology to market, licensing it to major semiconductor companies.   The product, UltraDebug, is a system-level debug and optimisation capability for multiple heterogeneous processor cores including graphics cores and custom accelerators. UltraDebug is a library of advanced, feature-rich debug IP at the leading edge of embedded systems and will enable the company’s licensees the

XConnect, a specialist in Federation-based next generation interconnection and Registry services, has secured USD10m of equity funding from Young Associates, the London-based private investment firm headed by Lord Young of Graffham, and existing investor Crescent Group. This significant cash injection will enable XConnect to grow its portfolio of products and services, expand its customer base and enter new markets.   Through its suite of Federation-based Interconnection and ENUM Registry services, XConnect offers solutions to help service providers deliver IP voice, video and data communications on a cross-network basis while improving service quality and reducing costs.   XConnect operates Federations in

Specialist executive search and intelligence consultancy Armstrong Craven has secured a GBP3.5m investment from ISIS Equity Partners to complete a management buy out.   The deal, led by Armstrong Craven’s founder Sue Craven, chief executive Matthew Mellor and chief operating officer Rachel Davis, will establish the business as a separate entity from its former parent company Work Group plc.   The deal was advised on by the Manchester office of Clearwater Corporate Finance.   “This investment will support Armstrong Craven as it continues to expand its international footprint by targeting new geographies and opening international offices in North America and

James Briggs, a supplier of aerosols and speciality chemicals, has been acquired by its management team in a deal backed by Endless, an investor in non-core assets and special situations.   The transaction sees Jim Sumner, an experienced chief executive in the manufacturing sector, join James Briggs as executive chairman. Sumner previously ran Optare, the AIM-listed bus manufacturer, and Leyland Trucks, part of PACCAR. He will support James Briggs’ existing management team of managing director Mark Lyth and finance director Simon Tuley.   James Briggs employs nearly 200 staff on two manufacturing sites in Royton and Chadderton near Oldham. The

Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners’ BioDiscovery 4, its fourth fund dedicated to life sciences, has made its second investment through the series B financing round of Complix, which it co-leads with GIMV.   Complix, formed in 2008, was founded in Hasselt, Belgium. Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners led alongside GIMV the Series B round financing of EUR12m which will be invested in developing a first set of therapeutic Alphabodies to treat cancer and autoimmune indications and to further develop and validate the company’s unique Alphabody platform.   Complix is developing Alphabodies, a transformative biotherapeutic platform with the ability to modulate

Segulah III’s portfolio company PMC Group has entered into an agreement to divest its Norwegian activities, Servi (PMC Group Norway AS1), to Ferd Capital.   The transaction is subject to competition clearance.   Servi’s business activities are focused on the Norwegian offshore industry, with a range of blue chip customers among leading equipment manufacturers, yards and fleet owners.   Recently, a sales office was opened in Houston, Texas. With Ferd Capital as a new owner, Servi will be able to fully exploit growth opportunities in the offshore industry globally.   In 2012, Servi had a turnover of NOK777m and an

Nordic Capital Fund VII is to sell EG A/S, a Scandinavian IT software and service provider, to Axcel IV.   During Nordic Capital’s five year ownership period, EG has developed ahead of the initial strategic plan, driven by a clear focus on offering market leading solutions for selected industry verticals, organisational transformation, operational effectiveness, geographical expansion and IT service market consolidation. In addition, since 2009, EG has completed 14 add-on acquisitions in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.   “We are very pleased with and proud of the strong development and performance of EG during Nordic Capital’s ownership. The ambition for Nordic