Masabi, the developer of mobile phone ticketing technology, has completed a USD4 million Series B funding round with m8 Capital, the mobile technology venture capital fund.   The funding will be used to support deployments with multiple rail companies in the UK, and for the development of new service features, including NFC technology. It will also help facilitate expansion into new markets, particularly the US, where the company is seeing strong interest.   Since securing its Series A funding round in September 2010, Masabi has gone from strength to strength, with multiple successful launches of mTicketing services including Cross Country

Global private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners has partnered with management to acquire Implus Corporation. Led by an experienced senior management team, Implus designs, markets and distributes branded consumer accessories, including insoles, shoe care products, socks, sports monitors, seasonal items and fitness products. The company supplies its products to specialty retailers and mass market chains in 70 countries across the US, Europe and Asia. In the transaction, Trilantic will partner with founding family member and CEO Seth Richards and President Todd Vore to provide capital to allow the company to execute on its key growth initiatives. "Trilantic is a partner

Freeport, a Carlyle Europe Real Estate portfolio company and a developer and operator of outlet malls in Europe, has completed its successful refinancing with new investment provided by a sovereign wealth fund from the Middle East. Following the refinancing, it has also created a new entity for Freeport’s property management team, Freeport Retail, to provide specialist outsourced asset management services and is actively working with real estate investors across Europe. Since its inception, Freeport Retail has already taken over the management of the Ringsted Outlet near Copenhagen, which is owned by TK Development AS and The Miller Group Ltd, and

Mitratech, a specialist in Corporate Legal Automation solutions including Matter Management, e-Billing, and Governance Risk and Compliance automation, has been acquired by Vista Equity Partners (Vista), a private equity firm with USD6 billion in committed capital. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Mitratech," says Robert F Smith, Vista’s founder and CEO. "Mitratech’s customers derive significant value by investing in Corporate Legal Automation applications and will now benefit from the added stability and operational expertise of our firm. Mitratech holds a commanding position in the industry and we look forward to continuing and evolving the Company’s partnership with its customers."

KPS Capital Partners is to acquire American & Efird, Inc (A&E) from Ruddick Corporation (NYSE: RDK) through a newly-formed affiliate, A&E Global, for USD180.0 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. A&E, headquartered in Mount Holly, North Carolina, is the largest US manufacturer and the world’s second-largest manufacturer and distributor of premium quality industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles. A&E thread is used by producers of apparel, automotive components, home furnishings, medical supplies, footwear and certain industrial products.  A&E owns or operates 23 plants and employs 11,000 associates around the world directly or in partnership with joint venture partners.

BlackEagle Partners has acquired the Midwest operations of Lyman Lumber Company, including its Chanhassen location, Automated Building Components, Carpentry Contractors Corp., and Lyman Lumber of Wisconsin. The transaction was effective October 28, 2011. BlackEagle Partners is the owner of US LBM Holdings, a collection of eight building products distributors serving the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic in nine states with more than 40 locations. US LBM is one of the fastest growing suppliers of building products in the United States. “With over 114 years of commitment to the building products industry, Lyman has established a terrific reputation. All of our business

Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE: DUF), an independent financial advisory and investment banking services firm, has acquired MCR. Comprised of approximately 150 employees, MCR is a UK-based corporate restructuring and turnaround firm focused on insolvency administration and independent business reviews. For the 12-month period that ended June 30, 2011, MCR earned approximately GBP21m in revenue, excluding reimbursable expenses. The acquisition significantly expands Duff & Phelps’ presence in Europe and enhances the firm’s Global Restructuring Advisory practice. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

"For more than ten years, MCR has maximised recovery for stakeholders in insolvent businesses by generating

Evercore Partners (NYSE: EVR), a leading investment banking advisory firm headquartered in New York, USA, and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited (Kotak Investment Banking), a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, have entered into an exclusive strategic alliance for cross-border M&A advisory services between India and the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Through this alliance, two leading investment banks will leverage their combined expertise, strong knowledge of global and local markets and deep corporate relationships to provide high-quality objective advice to their clients. Kotak Investment Banking is a premier full-service investment bank in India offering a range of

Piper, a leading private equity specialist in consumer brands, has taken a significant, minority stake in bar operator Be At One. Be At One was founded by Steve Locke, Rhys Oldfield, and Leigh Miller, three former bartenders who worked together at TGI Fridays in the 1990s, The trio spotted a gap in then market to produce the finest cocktails in London served by the best quality staff. There are currently 190 exotic drinks on the menu and the company invests GBP5.000 on truing each bartender. Be AT One opened its first bar in Battersea in 1998. Today, the chain runs