Managers
Cyber London (CyLon), the dedicated cyber security accelerator, has announced the eight security start-ups participating in its fifth programme. CyLon has already accelerated 31 companies since its launch in April 2015.
CyLon writes that its cyber security accelerator consists of a three-month programme where entrepreneurial teams with innovative and disruptive business ideas are provided with access to expert training and guidance from an accomplished network of mentors and investors to bring their product to market.
At the end of this programme, the companies will present their businesses to prospective customers, investors and partners at an Investor and Customer focused Demo
BlackRock Real Assets, on behalf of clients, has closed a long-term debt financing for Ellevio, the regulated Swedish electricity distribution system operator.
BlackRock says the transaction brings a number of benefits for its institutional clients, including stable, long-term cash flows underpinned by an investment-grade rated issuer in Ellevio, who benefit from fully regulated electricity distribution operations in Sweden.
The transaction also capitalises on BlackRock’s clients’ ability to provide natural, long-term Swedish krona funding.
Jonathan Stevens, head of European infrastructure debt at BlackRock, says: “We are delighted to have closed this debt financing for Ellevio. It is attractive to
Private equity investor Privet Capital has acquired Vivid Toy Group for an undisclosed sum.
Vivid is one of Europe’s leading independent branded toys and games companies, licensing, designing, manufacturing and selling a combination of in-house developed toy and games IP and third party intellectual property licenses to major retailers in the UK, France, Germany, Benelux and US markets including Tesco, Argos, Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Toys“R”Us, Smyths, The Entertainer and Amazon.
The company is headquartered in the UK (Guildford), and has additional sales and marketing operations in France (Paris) and Germany (Frankfurt), as well as operations in China (Hong Kong).
Kirkland & Ellis is advising Ally Bridge Group, as a joint offeror with a consortium established by an affiliate of the target company’s controlling shareholder and GL Capital Group, in its proposed HKD2.34 billion (USD300 million) privatisation offer for the H shares of Shandong Luoxin Pharmaceutical Group by way of a voluntary conditional cash offer.
The transaction is conditional on, among other things, Shandong Luoxin’s shareholders approval.
Shandong Luoxin is a Chinese pharmaceutical company whose H shares have been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2005. The voluntary conditional cash offer will only be extended to the
Independent private equity firm Aksìa Group has acquired 70 per cent of Alpha Test, a Milan-based professional education company, specialising in books and courses for preparation at university admission test.
Previously owner of a 45 per cent stake since 2013, Alcedo III Fund will exit from the shareholding structure following this transaction.
After the creation of the Covisian group, the third player in the BPO and contact centre industry in Italy, and the acquisition of 100 per cent of Lameplast COC Group, the Italian and European leader in the preparation, filling and packaging of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics,
DH Corporation (D+H), a provider of technology solutions to financial institutions globally, is to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners for CAD25.50 per share in cash.
This includes the assumption of all debt obligations including the issued convertible debentures.
The total enterprise value is approximately CAD4.8 billion.
The transaction price represents a premium of approximately 36 per cent over D+H's closing share price on 5 December 2016, the last trading day before media reports surfaced suggesting the company was exploring strategic alternatives.
Vista intends to combine D+H with another of its portfolio companies, UK-based, Misys, a global
Platinum Equity has closed Platinum Equity Capital Partners IV, a USD6.5 billion global buyout fund.
The fund was heavily oversubscribed, driven by the success of Platinum's M&A&O strategy that integrates investment expertise with deep operational capability and resources.
"We are grateful to investors for believing in Platinum, supporting our growth and trusting us to invest their money wisely," says Tom Gores, chairman and chief executive officer of Platinum Equity. "Our job now is to continue earning that trust by deploying this capital effectively. We have the capacity, the capability and the capital necessary to handle transactions of any size
Aspiring challenger bank, Beyond Funding, a new start-up based in Manchester’s business district Spinningfields, has just appointed two directors from Deloitte.
Willis Towers Watson has launched a fund for institutional investors which is aimed at providing a compelling alternative to index-linked gilts in funding liabilities and enhancing returns.
The new fund, called the Secure Income Fund, provides institutional investors with an inflation-linked cash flow through investments which generate a better risk-adjusted return than investment-grade credit and index-linked gilts.
It encompasses a wide range of strategies across real estate, infrastructure, renewable energy and real asset debt and uses all implementation options including secondaries and co-investments.
Willis Towers Watson has been investing in secure income assets (SIAs) since 2006, and has
Two thirds (65 per cent) of small and medium-sized tech and telecom firms plan to grow dramatically or moderately over the next two years, according to a report launched by venture capital investor Albion Ventures.
Only 7 per cent think they will shrink or wind down.
Based on interviews with more than1,000 SMEs including 150 tech and telco firms, the fourth Albion Growth Report sheds light on the factors that create and impede growth in post-Brexit Britain.
With nearly half (48 per cent) of tech entrepreneurs planning to grow their headcount over the next two years, finding skilled
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12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
