Managers
ILX has launched a new emerging markets SDG-focused private credit fund with Dutch pension provider APG, on behalf of its pension fund clients ABP and bpfBOUW, investing USD750 million.
This new fund will invests in private-sector loans arranged by the leading Multilateral Development Banks and other DFIs, such as the ADB, AfDB, EBRD, IDB-Invest, IFC and FMO.
Amsterdam-based ILX offers the opportunity to benefit from the DFIs’ long-standing track record of successfully investing in key economic sectors across the emerging markets and contributes directly to its SDG and climate-related commitments, whilst offering attractive risk-adjusted returns, combined with robust ESG safeguarding.
FTX Trading Limited (FTX), has launched FTX Ventures (the Fund), a USD2 billion venture capital fund focused on backing the world’s best teams building in the digital asset ecosystem.
FTX Ventures’ core mission is to advance global blockchain and web3 adoption, with a broad investment mandate across social, gaming, fintech, software, and healthcare. The Fund will invest in multi-stage companies and projects, providing flexible funding and strategic support from FTX and its network of global partners.
Alongside the Fund’s launch, crypto investor Amy Wu has joined FTX to lead Ventures, gaming, M&A and commercial initiatives. She was most recently
Century Park Capital Partners has recapitalised NCP Coatings, Inc, a developer and manufacturer of performance coatings solutions for the military, industrial, commercial, and forestry end markets.
NCP marks the third platform and eleventh overall investment by Century Park in the Specialty Chemicals sector.
Charlton Keultjes, who currently leads NCP, will remain with the business as President & COO.
This is the first transaction closed under the Century Leaders Program, a new Century Park initiative that is an executive-led, buy-and-build acquisition strategy.
Doug Holmberg, an executive in the firm’s Century Leaders Program covering the Specialty Chemicals sector, worked to source this
Nursery and childrenswear retailer Mamas & Papas, which is backed by Bluegem Capital Partners, has reported a 30 per cent increase in sales over the eight weeks to 26 December compared to the previous year and a 35 per cent increase on 2019, buoyed by new store openings, new product launches and an enhanced online presence.
The company, which designs and makes travel systems, nursery furniture and children’s clothing, said some of its strongest selling categories had been furniture and travel systems, where it made significant market share gains.
Thanks to positive Black Friday and Christmas trading, current year sales
Venture capital dealmaking, exit and fundraising values all broke records in 2021 by ‘stunning amounts’, according to the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor, a quarterly report produced by PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association with support from Insperity.
Chess.com, the world’s largest chess platform, has secured a significant growth investment from General Atlantic.
Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Launched in 2007, Chess.com is the world’s leading online destination for playing, learning and watching chess, with over 75 million registered users and more than 10 million games played every day.
Houlihan Lokey advised on the deal. Legal services were provided by Latham & Watkins; Paul, Weiss; Herzog Fox & Neeman; Shartsis Friese; and Poultan & Yordan.
Vienna-based GoStudent, which provides one-to-one video-based online tutoring, has raised EUR300m in a Series D funding round led by new investor Prosus.
Additional participation in the round came from Deutsche Telekom, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Tencent, Dragoneer, Left Lane Capital and Coatue.
The funding comes just seven months after GoStudent became Europe’s first EdTech unicorn, raising a Series C round of EUR205 million in June 2021. Since the company was founded in 2016, it has raised a total of +EUR590 million, and this new round strengthens its position as the highest valued K12 EdTech company in Europe with a EUR3
Funds managed by middle-market private equity firm Lee Equity Partners (Lee Equity) have invested in Therapy Partner Solutions (TPS), a physical therapy platform in the Southeastern US.
TPS employs a diversified operating model delivering physical therapy services across three divisions: Clinic Partnership, Management Services and Performance Solutions.
Steve Chenoweth, co-founder and CEO, will continue to lead the Company, while the entire senior management team, along with existing investor Walnut Grove Capital Partners, have retained a meaningful equity investment in the business.
Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Livingstone served as exclusive financial advisor to TPS and Arnall
Online valuation and data provider VesselsValue has acquired Norwegian shipping research and advisory company, ViaMar.
ViaMar provides market research and advisory services in shipping, energy and financial markets and has particularly strong relationships with major banks, investment funds, operators and traders, predominantly focused in Northern Europe and the Nordics.
The company produces fundamental quarterly forecasts to highlight key turning points for the bulker, tanker, container and LPG sectors, as well as incorporating freight earnings and vessel valuations into their reports.
European specialist growth equity investor Verdane has held a final close of Verdane Idun I (Idun), an impact focused fund investing in technology-enabled businesses based out of Europe.
The Fund is classified as “Article 9” under the European Union’s Finance Disclosure Regulation and closed at its hard cap of EUR300 million, over its target fund size of EUR225 million.
The fund has already made three investments: Auntie, a digital provider of workplace wellbeing services; Spond, a digital enabler of grassroot sports and physical health; and a third business which will be announced at a later time.
The Fund
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
