EMPEA has been selected as a Strategic Data Partner and emerging markets private capital data provider for the Private Capital Research Institute (PCRI) global research initiative, led by Harvard Business School Professor Josh Lerner. The PCRI aims to facilitate high quality academic research on the nature and impact of private capital in the global economy. Professor Lerner says: "EMPEA is a leading source of global emerging markets data and is also an important partner in building greater understanding about the impact of private equity across markets. We welcome EMPEA’s support of our efforts to create more transparency around private capital

The UK’s Business Growth Fund (BGF) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Scottish Investment Bank’s (SIB) Scottish Venture Fund to boost availability of equity funding for ambitious Scottish businesses. The partnership will create significant potential investment opportunities of up to GBP10 million for Scottish businesses with a solid track record and demonstrable strong growth trajectory. The Scottish Venture Fund was introduced in 2007 to support development of Scotland’s private SME funding market by participating in risk capital fundraisings from GBP2 million to GBP10 million, with up to GBP2 million of investment. In line with other SIB funds, the

JZ Capital Partners Limited, the London listed private equity fund that invests in high quality US and European micro cap companies, has realised its investment in Dantom Systems, Inc (Dantom) for USD40.5 million. The realisation represents a 4.8x multiple of equity capital invested, and a 27.5% IRR. The price realised was fully recognised in the NAV valuation as at 31 August 2011. As at that date, Dantom represented approximately 6.8% of JZCP’s NAV and was one of the top five holdings in the portfolio, by value.       Dantom is a Michigan based company that provides business process outsourcing solutions to

Matrix Private Equity Partners has agreed to sell portfolio company App-DNA Group Limited for USD92 million (c. GBP58 million) to Citrix Systems Inc, subject to final contract.   Total proceeds from the exit will be approximately GBP16.4 million for the Matrix advised fund, The Income & Growth VCT plc. This represents a return of approximately 32 times the fund’s original investment.   App-DNA is a software company whose products enable blue chip customers around the world to save time and money when changing operating systems or virtualising IT applications. App-DNA’s products are in high demand following the launch of Windows

Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC, a Detroit-based private equity firm that invests in financial and business services, consumer-direct marketing, and sports, media and entertainment industries, has led the acquisition of Purchasing Power, LLC, a niche e-commerce business that provides employers a unique benefit to offer their employees:  the opportunity to leverage their paycheques to buy "big ticket" consumer goods regardless of credit score. Founded in 2001, Purchasing Power’s web-based business enables a qualified work force the ability to purchase an assortment of items, such as brand name computers, electronics and other expensive items via direct payroll deduction.   "Purchasing Power is

Mattel is to acquire HIT Entertainment for USD680 million in cash from a consortium led by Apax Partners funds. HIT Entertainment owns a global portfolio of popular preschool brands, including Thomas & Friends®, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and Angelina Ballerina. With more than USD180 million of revenues, HIT Entertainment represents one of the largest independent owners of preschool intellectual property.  The purchase price equates to a multiple of about 9½ times trailing earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.   “Mattel is the right home for Thomas & Friends. This powerhouse brand is joining the ranks of such

CDC Group plc (CDC), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI), has announced a new USD50 million investment in the first-ever equity investment fund to focus on the very poorest parts of India. CDC is an anchor investor in the Pragati Venture and Incubator Fund (‘Pragati’) and has played a significant role in getting the fund started. As a growth capital fund, Pragati will invest and play an active role in developing companies across multiple sectors including healthcare, ancillary infrastructure services, ancillary oil and gas services, manufacturing and education. These companies will be at a stage where they require professional management

Aura Capital, a Finnish venture capital firm, has divested its share in Fromdistance, a device management software company, to the American-based Numara Software. Aura Capital invested in Fromdistance in 2008.    Fromdistance, founded in 2004, is a software company specialised in device management and sophisticated mobile applications for business use. Aura Capital invested in the company in 2008, especially due to its technical excellence and customer-driven innovation in a situation where the market was just about to emerge.   “We are happy to see Fromdistance taking a logical step as part of Numara Software. This further substantiates Aura Capital’s successful

Private equity investment firm ClearLight Partners is to sell 100% of Switchcraft Holdco, Inc to HEICO Corporation. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Founded in 1946, Switchcraft is a premier designer and manufacturer of high-performance electronic connectors, cable assemblies, and other value-added products and systems used in diverse applications in the global electronics industry. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the Company operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Chicago, Illinois, Villa Park, Illinois, and Inchon, Republic of South Korea. Jay Shepherd, Partner at ClearLight, says: “Keith Bandolik, Dave Dunmead and the other senior managers at Switchcraft have done an excellent