ECP’s Fund III portfolio company, IHS Mauritius, has secured an additional USD1.035bn of equity and debt to fund new tower purchases and existing tower upgrades.   Following the equity capital raising process, which was led and managed by ECP, IHS has secured a total USD555m of new investment from an Asian sovereign wealth fund (marking its first African investment) as well as from existing investors including Wendel (the European investment firm) and other ECP co-investors.   The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation supplied USD280m financing to IHS’s Nigeria operations while a syndicate led by Ecobank supplied USD200m of debt for

Transom Capital Group has sold Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics (dba Blue Microphones) to The Riverside Company.     Blue Microphones represents the first exit from Transom Capital Fund I.   Founded in 1995, Blue is a rapidly growing developer and marketer of premium quality microphones for professionals and consumers.  The company is the leader in the fast-growing digital USB and iOS microphone market as a result of its technologically innovative, design-forward microphones and brand credibility earned by serving demanding professional recording artists and engineers.    "Blue is very special to us as it was the first investment, and now the

The fundamentals for strong merger and acquisition activity remain in place despite a slowdown in US M&A activity in the first half of 2013, according to PwC US.    Buyers remain extremely active in identifying, evaluating and competing to acquire assets in the market.    Dealmakers are placing a premium on deal certainty, speed and agility to ensure successful deal outcomes that deliver long term value, according to PwC’s US mid-year M&A outlook.   In the first half of 2013, there were a total of 4,587 total transactions, representing USD528bn in disclosed deal value, according to data compiled by Thomson

An affiliate of Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group has acquired the 65 unit Miller’s Ale House, a growing casual dining restaurant chain with approximately USD300m in system-wide sales, from Jack Miller and SKM Equity Fund III.    This investment is Roark’s 26th multi-unit company, 13th restaurant brand, and second full-service restaurant concept.   Started in Jupiter, Florida in 1988 by husband and wife team Jack and Claire Miller, Miller’s Ale House offers an extensive menu of freshly prepared food at attractive prices, over 75 domestic and craft beers, and a large selection of high definition TVs.   As part

Private equity firm Beacon Equity Partners has completed the sale of Anaqua and SGA2 SAS to Insight Venture Partners.   Beacon founded Anaqua, a provider of intellectual property software, in 2005.   “Eight years ago, we recognised what Anaqua could one day become. Today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Anaqua’s leadership and employees, together with the resources and support provided by our firm, we are proud that potential has been realised,” says Ed Mullen (pictured), chairman of Beacon Equity and former chairman of Anaqua. “I’m sure Anaqua will enjoy continued success in the years ahead, boosted by

Wynyard Group has secured the customer contracts and exclusive rights and intellectual property of the MHA Gateway service, an online anti-financial crime resource, for an undisclosed sum.   The acquisition is in line with Wynyard’s strategy of growing its global customer base, and will further enhance Wynyard’s financial crime offering.   MHA Gateway helps financial institutions and their compliance officers identify, evaluate and avoid business and regulatory risk through providing online tools, pre-formatted templates, policy checklists, best practice guides and country profiles to comply with Financial Crime and Anti-Money Laundering regulations in FATF countries.   Wynyard Group chief operating officer