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Deals

Israel flag
A total of 312 Israeli high-tech companies attracted USD967m from local and foreign investors in H1 2013, slightly above the USD962m raised by 270 companies in H1/2012, but almost eight per cent down from USD1.05bn invested in 286 companies in H1/2011. One hundred and eighty-four VC-backed deals attracted USD763m or 79 per cent of the total raised in H1/2013. This amount is 20 per cent higher than the USD638m raised in VC-backed deals in H1/2012.   The average company financing round was USD3.1m, while the average financing round for VC-backed deals was USD4.2m.   In Q2/2013, 143 companies raised USD493m,
Heart
JenaValve Technology, a venture capital-backed developer of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) systems for the treatment of aortic valve disease, has raised USD62.5m in a series C venture round.   The financing was led by Belgium-based Gimv, a publicly traded investment company with more than 30 years of experience in private equity and venture capital. Other new investors include Beijing-based Legend Capital, a venture capital arm of Legend Holdings, and Omega Funds, an international healthcare focused investment firm.   Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners of Paris led the participation by the existing investor group in the series C round. Other
An affiliate of Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group has acquired the 65 unit Miller’s Ale House, a growing casual dining restaurant chain with approximately USD300m in system-wide sales, from Jack Miller and SKM Equity Fund III.    This investment is Roark’s 26th multi-unit company, 13th restaurant brand, and second full-service restaurant concept.   Started in Jupiter, Florida in 1988 by husband and wife team Jack and Claire Miller, Miller’s Ale House offers an extensive menu of freshly prepared food at attractive prices, over 75 domestic and craft beers, and a large selection of high definition TVs.   As part
Private equity firm Beacon Equity Partners has completed the sale of Anaqua and SGA2 SAS to Insight Venture Partners.   Beacon founded Anaqua, a provider of intellectual property software, in 2005.   “Eight years ago, we recognised what Anaqua could one day become. Today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Anaqua’s leadership and employees, together with the resources and support provided by our firm, we are proud that potential has been realised,” says Ed Mullen (pictured), chairman of Beacon Equity and former chairman of Anaqua. “I’m sure Anaqua will enjoy continued success in the years ahead, boosted by
Wynyard Group has secured the customer contracts and exclusive rights and intellectual property of the MHA Gateway service, an online anti-financial crime resource, for an undisclosed sum.   The acquisition is in line with Wynyard’s strategy of growing its global customer base, and will further enhance Wynyard’s financial crime offering.   MHA Gateway helps financial institutions and their compliance officers identify, evaluate and avoid business and regulatory risk through providing online tools, pre-formatted templates, policy checklists, best practice guides and country profiles to comply with Financial Crime and Anti-Money Laundering regulations in FATF countries.   Wynyard Group chief operating officer
UK flag
While the seed funding of early-stage European start-ups is healthy, there is a scarcity of follow-on capital for later-stage businesses, according to figures released by DFJ Esprit and Go4Venture Advisers.   The data, compiled from the latest Dow Jones VentureSource figures, also reveals that the UK, which remains the top location for investment, has for the first time lost out to France in terms of the number of larger deals completed in the first half of this year.   Of the USD1.8bn invested in European venture deals in the year to date, the UK holds the total investment lead at
Arthurian Life Sciences Limited, manager of the new GBP100m Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund, has arranged a GBP13.8m funding commitment from the Welsh Government to enable ReNeuron to relocate to Wales and continue to grow the stem cell R&D, clinical trials and manufacturing base of the company.     The funding package is made up of GBP5m direct equity investment from the Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund and a GBP7.8m commitment of non-dilutive grants from the government.   This investment has formed the cornerstone of a total fundraising of GBP33.2m for the company in which several other international life sciences
Biotechnology
Venture capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management has invested GBP150,000 in Oxford Genetics.   The new biotechnology company is behind SnapFast – a system that simplifies the purchase of synthetic DNA molecules (plasmids).   Chief executive of Oxford Genetics, Dr Ryan Cawood, invented the SnapFast system and likens it to “Lego for DNA”. Historically, most genetic engineering has been performed by combining pieces of DNA, gathered from a variety of sources that were never intended to fit together. This can make clinical research and drug development time-consuming, costly and often frustrating. Oxford Genetics provides all of the standard DNA components
Private equity and venture capital firms invested USD126m across nine Indian agri-business companies during the first six months of 2013, 75 per cent more than the USD72m invested across six companies during the same period last year, says data from Venture Intelligence.   The largest PE investment in the industry during 2013 was Multiples Private Equity’s Rs.250 crore (USD43.24m) investment in Bangalore-based Milltec Group which develops technology and machinery for rice milling, roller flour milling, maize (corn) milling and agro processing plants.   Another buyouts focused PE firm, India Value Fund, has committed USD40m to pick up a majority stake
HgCapital has made a majority investment in IntelliFlo, a provider of front and back office software to financial advisors, advisor networks and brokers.   The investment was made from its Mercury Fund which was raised to specifically target software and other technology companies across Europe.     Led by chief executive Nick Eatock, IntelliFlo combines a decade-long track record in the UK market, with a best in class SaaS product and significant capability created by investment ahead of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).  Nearly 10,000 advisors and administrators use IntelliFlo’s software on a daily basis to manage front and back-office workflows

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