Investcorp is to sell Dainese, a provider of protective equipment and technical gear for motorcycling and dynamic sports, to global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) for an enterprise value of EUR630 million. Founded in 1972, Dainese operates across EMEA, APAC and the Americas and distributes its products across more than 100 countries. Investcorp acquired Dainese in January 2015 from its founder, Lino Dainese, and has worked closely with the management team to drive both international growth and expansion of the Company’s product offering. Under Investcorp’s ownership, Dainese more than doubled its sales to EUR250 million, and grew EBITDA at a

Ironwood Capital Connecticut has made a subordinated debt and preferred equity investment in Pith Products (Pith), a designer and manufacturer of tool storage solutions primarily for the aerospace industry and precision tool markets. Ironwood Capital Connecticut provided subordinated debt and, along with The Shoreham Group and Merrimack Seacoast, equity investments in support of Pith. People’s United Bank provided a senior loan.  

LBO France, through its Small Caps Opportunities II fund, has acquired a majority stake in the French company Origine alongside the management team, led by Yves Amiel and Rémi Lefèvre, and Nouvel Atlas, the investment vehicle of the Lemarchand family (founders of the Nature & Découvertes group). Origine was founded in 2012 by Yves Amiel, Pierre-Henri Morel and Rémi Lefèvre. It is a pure DNVB (digital-native vertical brand) that designs, produces and markets – exclusively via its website – high-end mechanical bikes. The company designs road, gravel and mountain bikes with an average price above EUR3,000 and has experienced exponential

Monroe Capital has acted as sole lead arranger and administrative agent on the funding of a senior credit facility to support the acquisition of Norwood Sawmills (Norwood) by private equity sponsor, GreyLion. Based in Ontario, Canada, Norwood is a provider of portable consumer-sized sawmills, as well as related consumables, accessories, and equipment, and serves as a global outdoor equipment and lifestyle brand. The company’s products have strong appeal among an outdoor-minded consumer base across more than 100 countries.

Puma Private Equity, the private equity division of Puma Investments, has completed a follow-on investment of EUR2 million in Ron Dorff, having invested EUR4 million in the  business in 2020.  Aligning Swedish functionality with French style, Ron Dorff specialises in menswear must-haves, with a particular focus on underwear and swimwear.   The company has achieved significant growth since Puma Private Equity’s initial investment and aims to triple sales within the next two years. This latest investment will provide capital to support Ron Dorff’s expansion plan and growth of the brand worldwide, with particular focus on the US, which already provides

Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers focused on sustainable investments, and RIVE Private Investment, an independent investment group specialised in real assets, have sold to BKW six operating onshore wind farms in northern France for a total installed capacity of 105.7 megawatts (MW).  The wind farms were constructed under the ownership of Mirova and RIVE Private Investment.   With this acquisition, BKW has increased its 700MW of renewable energy facilities portfolio by 15 per cent and expands its presence in one of its core markets.    

Typeform, a conversational interaction platform, has raised USD135 million in Series C funding round led by Sofina.  Returning investors including General Atlantic, Index Ventures, Point Nine Capital and Connect Ventures, as well as new investors Top Tier Capital Partners, GP Bullhound, Teamworthy Ventures and Trium Venture Partners, also participated in the round.  This latest funding brings Typeform’s total investment to more than USD187 million.  With this investment, Typeform will accelerate product development, nurture emerging technologies, expand headcount and deepen strategic partnerships across its platform as it continues its efficient growth trajectory.   

STP Investment Services (STP), an end-to-end, technology-enabled investment operations service provider that supports more than USD340 billion in total assets, has received a significant growth investment from Lovell Minnick Partners (LMP), a private equity firm focused on investments in financial services, financial technology and related business services.  This investment will enable STP to accelerate ongoing investments in innovation, technology, workflow, and talent. STP plans to advance its organic growth initiatives while also accelerating its strategy of pursuing impactful M&A opportunities in the future.  Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. As a result of LMP’s investment in STP, members

SmithRx, a next-generation pharmacy benefits management company, has closed a USD20 million series B financing round, following a year of record growth in which the company surpassed 1,100 employer clients.  Venrock led the oversubscribed round and was joined by existing investors, including Founders Fund.  The proceeds will support Smith’s plans for continued growth as it becomes the leader in next-generation pharmacy benefits management (PBM). With this round, Venrock partner Bryan Roberts has joined the Board of Directors partner Bob Kocher, another Venrock partner and MD is a Board Observer.

Leap, a leading provider of home contractor sales enablement software, has acquired JobProgress, a workflow and CRM product for home contractors.  Together, Leap, a portfolio company of private equity firm Next Equity, and JobProgress will serve more than 2,400 home contractors in North America.   JobProgress’ product suite offers CRM, project management, scheduling, and employee management tools to both exterior and interior residential contractors. As part of Leap, home contractors will now have access to even more tools to help them manage, estimate, record, and close deals on a single platform, without the need to use multiple technology providers.