Foresight Group (Foresight), a listed private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has made a GBP2.5 million growth capital investment in Kognitiv Spark (KS) which is commercialising software that provides 3D data to support field service workers in remote locations.  The investment is funded by the Foresight Williams Technology Fund, a joint venture between Foresight and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). The growth capital will enable the company to expand into new industries and geographies via new sales and marketing teams in the US and UK and support the ongoing development of further products. The company hopes to work with the WAE

Cynergy Bank has provided a loan amount of GBP2.5m to Faith in Nature, a natural beauty products brand based in Manchester. The loan will enable the company to develop new manufacturing and business premises, having outgrown its existing location. The development of the new site provides space for future sales growth and more jobs.  The loan was structured with a 12-month interest only period followed by repayment profile. Faith in Nature started trading in 1974 in a cottage kitchen and initially made plant-based face creams and shampoos. It continues to sell shampoos, body washes and soap, offering an ethical and

International private equity firm Cinven has signed an agreement with Bayer AG (ETR: BAYN) to acquire its Environmental Science Professional business for a total enterprise value of USD2.6 billion (~EUR2.4 billion). Bayer Environmental Science Professional (BESP) is a leading global provider of products and services to create healthier environments, to manage pests, and to eliminate vector-borne diseases, across a range of end-markets. BESP has an extensive product portfolio to manage pests (such as rodents, pest insects and invasive weeds) in a sustainable and responsible manner, including for the vegetation management, range and pasture, forestry and turf and ornamentals markets. In

A UK gut health food brand, Bio&Me, created by The Gut Health Doctor, has closed a GBP1.4 million funding round in a record 72 hours.  The fundraise was supported by a number of high profile investors including England captain Harry Kane. The investment round, which was over subscribed and closed within 72 hours, sees Kane become a shareholder in the business. The funds will be used to fuel an ambitious growth strategy including significant innovation in the cereal aisle and beyond. The funding round was guided by Bio&Me’s lead investor and serial FMCG entrepreneur, Giles Brook.  

VSS Capital Partners (VSS), a private investment firm investing in healthcare, business services and education, has sold its interest in Caravan Health, a specialist in population health management and value-based payment programmes, to Signify Health, a value-based healthcare platform that leverages advanced analytics, technology and nationwide healthcare provider networks. During VSS’ four years of ownership, Caravan reached more than 200 health systems and 100 Federally Qualified Health Centers with more than 10,000 primary care providers, who collectively manage over 500,000 patients. Together, the combination of Caravan and Signify Health will create one of the largest national networks of providers engaged in

Vauban Infrastructure Partners has acquired a significant minority stake (20 per cent) in Paprec Holding, an integrated French waste and recycling company, operating in the collection, sorting and treatment of non-hazardous waste from private and municipal entities.  Paprec is the third largest player in the French waste management market, with cEUR2.1 billion of sales in 2021. After this operation, Vauban will become Paprec’s second largest shareholder.  

Stax, an all-in-one payments platform, has raised USD245 million in its latest funding round, earning unicorn status as a result.  Stax will use the new capital to expand product capabilities, enhance its customer offerings, grow its team and expand internationally. Investors include Greater Sum Ventures (GSV), HarbourVest Partners and Blue Star Innovation Partners, all of whom have long invested in the payments industry and will serve as strategic partners to Stax.  Rob Wechsler, founder and CEO of Blue Star, will join Stax’s board of directors. After completing a secondary round, Stax raised an additional primary round of capital to reach

Milo, a financial technology company reimagining the way global and crypto consumers access financial solutions, has raised USD17 million Series A funding round led by California-based venture capital firm M13. QED Investors and MetaProp, who were also investors in the previous seed round, also participated. Since 2019, Milo has developed trusted innovative financial solutions for global consumers. In January 2022, Milo launched the first-ever 30 year crypto mortgage and has begun processing applications from its waitlist of 7,400-plus