Ciklum, an innovative IT outsourcing company specialising in nearshore software development in Eastern Europe, in Ukraine and Belarus, has sold a minority stake to Horizon Capital, a regional private equity fund manager. The funding for this deal comes from Horizon Capital’s Emerging Europe Growth Fund II (EEGF II), which was raised in 2008. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. Ukraine’s IT outsourcing market has been demonstrating impressive cumulative average growth rates of 28% per annum during 2004-2011 and is forecasted to enjoy 20-25% growth rates per annum during 2012-2016 based on the continued cost advantage of

Private equity firm Superior Capital Partners has acquired KDM from CoActive Technologies as an add-on acquisition to its user-interface and product identification portfolio company, Nelson-Miller, Inc.  The transaction represents the eleventh acquisition from Superior’s 2008 inaugural fund and the seventh acquisition since the beginning of 2011.     Nelson-Miller, based in Los Angeles, designs, manufactures and sources customised membrane switches, graphic overlays, nameplates, rubber keypads, touchscreens and other user-interface and product identification solutions.  The Company’s products are highly customised and are used by original equipment manufacturers in a broad range of industries such as healthcare, industrial, aerospace and consumer.  Located in

Funds affiliated with CVC Capital Partners (CVC) are to purchase majority ownership of AlixPartners with the firm’s exisiting 125 managing directors maintaining a considerable equity stake in the enterprise. The transaction is subject to  closing conditions and is expected to close this summer. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Hellman & Friedman made a significant investment in AlixPartners in 2006; as part of that transaction, Jay Alix, who founded the firm in 1981, transferred a substantial portion of his interest. He will maintain a substantial minority stake in the firm. Fred Crawford, CEO of AlixPartners, says: “In recent

Ingenious’ Entertainment VCTs (www.ingeniousvcts.co.uk), which recently agreed terms for the successful exit of its stake in the Creamfields dance festival, has made an investment in Liverpool Sound City, a well-established three day international music, media and technology conference and live arts and music festival. The forthcoming (May 17 – 19) Liverpool-based event consists of a network of conferences, expos and live gigs featuring both new artists and established stars. It attracts the world’s top creative and digital leaders to the city, where they can chart the future course of the music, digital and creative industries. The 2011 event captured a

VTB Capital Venture Business and Fast Lane Ventures have former a joint-venture partnership to tap into opportunities in the Russian market. In accordance with the terms of the transaction, VTB Capital Venture Business led series C investment into Fast Lane Ventures with a total value of USD18 million. The funds will be used to develop the current portfolio of companies Fast Lane Ventures has, as well as provide finance for new investments. It will also be used to further strengthen Fast Lane Venture’s team and expertise. Aidar Kaliev (pictured), Global Head of Venture Business at VTB Capital, says: "The Russian

International law firm Akin Gump has advised AF Telecom in relation to a shareholder restructuring of Russian mobile phone operator OJSC Megafon with an aggregate deal value of approximately USD8.5 billion. The transaction closed on 24 April, 2012. The transaction involves AF Telecom increasing its interest in Megafon, Russia’s second largest mobile-phone operator, Altimo selling its 25.1 per cent interest in the company, and TeliaSonera reducing its 43.8 per cent interest to 35.6 per cent.   As part of the transaction, MegaFon is also paying TeliaSonera, AF Telecom and Altimo USE5.15 billion in dividends.   Artem Faekov, corporate partner leading

Atlas Holdings has acquired New Jersey-based Marcal Paper Mills, LLC, a tissue and paper products manufacturer and distributor. The company, now under the guidance of new CEO George Wurtz (pictured), has been renamed Soundview Paper Company. “We plan to focus on superior customer service and product excellence by building on the quality of our people, our equipment, our papermaking skills and our core brand, Marcal,” says Wurtz. “Soundview’s leadership team is comprised of industry veterans with unparalleled experience in the tissue business.  With the strong focus and high standards of this team, Soundview is well-positioned to transform this business, better

Corporate specialists at Shoosmiths have advised Patriot Aerospace on its acquisition of commercial helicopter charter specialist Veritair Aviation. Shoosmiths’ team was led by corporate associate Emma Dolphin (pictured), with support from solicitor Alistair Hammerton. Patriot Aerospace Group is a leading General Aviation specialist in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. With operations spanning a full range of national flight training, charter, sales and engineering operations, the group combines three distinct brands, each recognised as experts in their field. The deal, which underlines Patriot’s determination to form a credible UK alternative to the foreign owned companies currently dominating the commercial helicopter

Gresham Private Equity has successfully signed a deal to sell its investment in Olaer to Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. The performance of the Olaer Group since acquisition in 2005 will result in an exceptional return on investment for Gresham. With origins as an 18th century UK engineering business, Olaer is one of the world’s leaders in the provision of fluid management solutions. Olaer manufactures, markets and distributes a range of accumulators, oil coolers and filters that represent high quality and superior technology. Present on 5 continents,