Citi has been appointed by Phase4 Ventures, a London-based venture capital firm, to provide document safekeeping and fund administration services. Citi has been serving private equity funds and investors for nearly two decades and is a leading global provider of accounting, administration and tax services for private equity, venture capital and institutional investors. Phase4 Ventures was established in 1999 to invest in and manage a portfolio of global life science companies for Nomura, the global investment bank. Since then, Phase4 Ventures has invested in 28 companies and built a reputation as one of the world’s premier life science venture capital

Cinven and GS Capital Partners have completed of the sale of Ahlsell, the leading distributor of building products in the Nordic region, to CVC Capital Partners for SEK15.5 billion (EUR1.8 billion). This follows the announcement in February 2012 of the signing of a definitive agreement to sell the business. Cinven and GS Capital Partners invested in Ahlsell in January 2006 having identified the company as an excellent platform for growth and continued consolidation in the Nordic building products market.  Despite challenging trading conditions, Ahlsell performed strongly during Cinven and GS Capital Partners’ ownership – with revenues and EBITDA up over

Capital International Private Equity Funds (CIPEF) has held the final close of the Capital International Private Equity Fund VI (CIPEF VI). According to the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA), CIPEF VI, which exceeded its target of USD2.5 billion and met its hard cap of USD3.0 billion, is the largest global emerging markets private equity fund closed in the last five years.   As a pioneer of the global emerging market model for private equity investment, CIPEF has been consistently backed by the leading global LP programs which span all major geographies and investor types. Since 1992, Capital International’s research

EXOSUN has raised EUR12 million from a second funding round led by Omnes Capital (formerly Crédit Agricole Private Equity) alongside new partners ADEME, Grand Sud-Ouest Capital and Expansion Aquitaine, both subsidiaries of the banking group Crédit Agricole.   Founded in 2007, EXOSUN designs, develops and realises solar power plants equipped with the Exotrack patented solar tracking systems.   EXOSUN ‘s President, Frederic Conchy, says: "The renewed confidence of Omnes Capital and the entry of regional funds from Crédit Agricole entities, Grand Sud-Ouest Capital and Expansion Aquitaine allow us to strengthen our relationship with local actors and our collaboration with a

AXA Private Equity, the leading European diversified private equity firm, is to acquire a 23.48% stake in Enovos from ArcelorMittal for EUR330 million through its latest Infrastructure fund.    Headquartered in Luxembourg, Enovos is an integrated utility company focused on electricity and gas transmission and supply as well as power generation including renewables. Its core activities are based in Luxembourg and Germany. With this investment AXA Private Equity now becomes the company’s second largest shareholder after the State of Luxembourg with a 23.48% equity stake.   Enovos is a highly strategic company, geographically well-positioned at the heart of the EU

German venture capital company eCAPITAL entrepreneurial Partners AG has participated in the second round of funding of Smart Hydro Power GmbH with its Cleantech Fond. In this round, the company, which develops, manufactures, sells and markets micro-hydro power plants, will receive further capital to the amount of EUR2.7 million. The capital increase is earmarked for the financing of reference projects and the development of international sales and marketing. High-Tech Gruenderfonds (HTGF) is also involved in Smart Hydro Power GmbH. "Smart Hydro Power has developed a promising product with an enormous market potential. With our investment via eCAPITAL Cleantech Fonds, we

Lion Capital has been granted a period of exclusivity ina bid to reach a definitive agreement to acquire European optical retailer Alain Affelou in conjunction with Mr Alain Affelou and management of the Group. Alain Affelou will commence the communication and consultation process with employee representatives this week. This should result in completion of the transaction by June 2012, after it has been approved by the European Competition Authorities. Founded in France in 1972, Alain Affelou is the largest optical franchisor in Europe, with a network of nearly 1,100 optical retail stores across France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Morocco,

Ingenious Clean Energy, a division of UK based investment and advisory group Ingenious, has successfully closed its pioneering Ingenious Energy Efficiency EIS Fund, exceeding its GBP10m target fund raise. The fund, which is the first of its kind in the UK, has been launched in collaboration with the Investment Advisors to the Fund, Sustainable Development Capital LLP. It will now begin deploying funds into companies which provide energy efficiency services in commercial and industrial properties. The UK energy efficiency market presents a unique opportunity for investors as it continues to expand, driven by high and rising energy prices and concerns