Allocations
Blockchain specialist nChain and a group of affiliated companies have been acquired by high tech private equity fund SICAV, an EU regulated investment fund managed by Accuro Fund Solutions.
nChain specialises in research and development of blockchain technologies – a distributed, decentralised ledger that chronologically records transactions in an immutable way.
The nChain group of companies has grown to a team of in excess of 60 scientific research, engineering and other professionals primarily based in London, UK and Vancouver, Canada.
The acquisition will assist nChain to continue the growth of its research activities and advance its mission to accelerate blockchain
Federal Way Asset Management, an investment management firm offering both alternatives management and fiduciary management services with approximately USD5.6 billion in assets, including USD3.7 billion on a discretionary basis, has changed its name to Aptitude Investment Management.
“Since becoming an independent firm five years ago, we have sought to provide our clients with deep alternatives investing expertise and intelligent solutions in order to generate superior, long-term, risk-adjusted returns,” says Jeffrey Klein, chief executive officer of Aptitude.
“Our new name, Aptitude, reflects the talent and skills that we seek in the managers in which we invest, strengthening our ongoing commitment
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has become the majority shareholder of French funeral services provider OGF through the acquisition of a 33 per cent stake in the business from Pamplona, bringing its total shareholding to 74 per cent.
Pamplona and the OGF management team retain a 20 per cent and 6 per cent shareholding respectively.
Pamplona acquired OGF in October 2013, and in the second half of 2015 it sold a 41 per cent stake in OGF to Ontario Teachers'.
The transaction has received all necessary approvals and is effective as of 12 April, 2017. Terms of the transaction
LBO France has entered into exclusive negotiations with Sagard for the acquisition of HMY Group, an international company specialising in the design, manufacturing and fitting of retail furniture.
Created in 1960, HMY offers a wide range of furniture (shelving systems, checkouts and bespoke) and provides its clients with integrated service solutions, from conception to their installation in the shop.
HMY’s clients range from the top food retailers to the leading specialised retailers, which include DIY, gardening, fashion or electric appliance chains. The group has diversified in offering POS fittings for international consumer brands.
Active in almost 80 countries,
Catapult’s portfolio business Hangar Seven, a marketing services agency specialising in content creation, has been acquired by The Hut Group, delivering a three-times cash return for the Catapult Growth Fund.
Catapult invested in Hangar Seven in September 2011 to support its plans for growth.
Hangar Seven has become a leader in the planning, creation, production and distribution of powerful content that changes consumer opinion, stimulates consumer interaction and drives retail footfall and sales. Its clients include, DFS, B&Q, Boots, Tesco, Diageo and Unilever.
Private equity backed The Hut Group is a global leader in health, beauty, fitness and
BIP Capital has merged with Accelerant Venture Capital.
Paul Iaffaldano, founder and managing partner of Accelerant, will join BIP Capital as managing director and will help lead the growth of the firm's venture technology companies.
Mark Buffington, who previously held the managing director title, has been promoted to CEO.
BIP Capital has raised four funds and invested nearly USD200 million since its founding a decade ago, with almost 80 per cent of its current investments based in Georgia and the metro Atlanta area. Its portfolio spans more than 25 early-stage and growth companies, including such local names as
JTC Group, a provider of fund, corporate and fiduciary services, has expanded its global footprint to include the Netherlands through the acquisition of New Amsterdam Cititrust (NACT).
The deal, which remains subject to regulatory approvals, will see the entire management team and all staff remain with the organisation and join JTC, with completion of the transaction expected in mid-2017.
NACT was founded in 1981 and services a client portfolio ranging from entrepreneurs and their families to venture capitalists, private equity firms and publicly listed companies. The business provides a range of corporate and administration services, including: company formation, corporate
Venture capital (VC) deal volume continued to fall in Q1 2017 with only 2,716 deals completed globally during the period compared to 3,201 in Q4 2016, according to Venture Pulse Q1 2017 – the quarterly global VC trends report by KPMG Enterprise.
Despite the fourth straight quarter of declining deal activity, VC investment grew to USD26.8 billion in Q1 17. The increase in funding was strongly affected by a resurgence in mega-deals, including Airbnb's USD1 billion+ Series F round, and Grail's USD914 million Series B tranche.
Globally, the Americas led VC investment, accounting for USD17.8 billion. The US made up
SV Health Investors, the venture capital and growth equity firm formerly known as SV Life Sciences, has closed on its sixth flagship fund at its target of USD400 million.
SV also manages the Dementia Discovery Fund, plus five other funds that aim to support entrepreneurs and companies that create and deliver breakthrough treatments and healthcare solutions.
Together, the seven funds have had capital commitments of more than USD2 billion. Over the past 20 years SV Health Investors has invested in over 175 companies. SV has added more than 10 new portfolio companies in the past year.
SV VI,
An affiliate of New Water Capital Partners, a Boca Raton-based private equity investment firm focused on lower-middle market companies, has completed its recapitalisation of Montreal-based GSC Technologies, a manufacturer of kayaks, watersports equipment and storage and outdoor furniture products.
“GSC offers leading North American retailers a great product suite of kayaks, paddle boards and accessories under strong brands, with feature-rich designs and attractive price points,” says New Water partner Mark Becker.
Family-owned GSC features the Future Beach brand, as well as other paddle sports brands, including Equinox, Patriot, Heritage, and Viper. Additionally, GSC produces branded storage and outdoor furniture products. Company production facilities include a combination of company-owned and -operated manufacturing locations and outsourced manufacturing partners across the US and Canada.
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