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Last year proved to be an outstanding year for SPACs in the US, while the total number of SPACs already surpassed the 2019 total in the first three weeks of 2021 alone, according to data published by Finnish investment fund Sijoitusrahastot.
Their research found that 248 SPACS raised USD83.04 billion in 2020 in the US. That figure was almost double the USD47.11 billion that SPACS have raised in the previous 10 years combined.
Compared to the 59 deals made in 2019, there was also a 300 percent increase in deal volume during this time. Based on SPAC Alpha data, the
Irish-owned Zeus Packaging, an independent packaging manufacturer and distributor, has acquired Austrian-based food packaging solutions business, Petruzalek, which was part of Sirap-Gema Group.
In 2020, Petruzalek achieved revenues of approximately EUR58 million, net assets of EUR16 million and EBITDA of EUR2.5 million. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum from Italian investment holding company, Italmobiliare, completes a three-year EUR40 million acquisition strategy for Zeus. It is the seventh business to be integrated into the Zeus family during the past 18 months. Established by Brian O’Sullivan in 1998, this acquisition brings the number employed by Zeus from 450 people across 14 countries
RapidSOS, creator of an emergency response data platform, has closed USD85 million in a Series C funding round led by global venture capital and private equity firm Insight Partners.
Insight is a leading software investor with over USD30 billion in AUM after announcing its 11th flagship fund, Fund XI at USD9.5 billion in April, 2020. The investment, which brings RapidSOS’s total funding to USD200 million, will advance the company’s work to connect emergency data from digital health, smart buildings, security, connected vehicles, and app companies with first responders globally.
The RapidSOS Platform powers 4,800-plus Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) across the
Oxford University, Global Accelerated Ventures, and the research commercialisation arm of the university, Oxford University Innovation (OUI), are launching The Oxford GAV Conservation Venture Studio (OXGAV).
OXGAV’s mission is to rapidly accelerate novel technologies and innovative solutions addressing the world’s most pressing environmental problems. The Studio will support the research and development of exceptionally promising innovations by interdisciplinary scientists across a dozen departments at Oxford University and will enable the outputs of this research to be commercialised and scaled around the world.
Technologies deriving from OXGAV will combat biodiversity loss, climate change, confront energy crises, promote human food security, and
International investment firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) has promoted John O’Neill to Head of Europe and David Cowan to Senior Managing Director. Both are based in LLCP’s London office.
As Head of Europe, O’Neill, who has also as also been named to the firm’s Investment Committee, will manage LLCP’s rapidly growing team of 10 professionals in its three European offices in London, The Hague and Stockholm.
Additionally, LLCP announced that it has expanded its European investment team with the hiring of Aqil Sohail as Associate Director and Zue Leong as Senior Associate. Sohail and Leong will be based in
ION Investment Group (ION) is to acquire options technology and execution provider Dash Financial Technologies from Flexpoint Ford.
“This is a very exciting moment for our firm as we embark on the next chapter of growth. Under ION’s ownership, we will continue to invest in product innovation that drives value for our clients while also benefiting from ION’s global reach and established network of relationships,” says co-founder Peter Maragos, who will continue to serve as CEO of DASH. “We are incredibly grateful for the contributions and support we received from Flexpoint Ford and are thrilled about what this new partnership
Highview Capital has acquired Randall Farms, a provider of fresh poultry and meat products.
The Company partners with grocery customers to provide all types of processed and value-added meats, including a variety of fresh prepared meals and marinated, ready-to-cook offerings. Highview purchased the business from the family of Stan Bloom, whose father, Sid founded the business.
“My family founded Randall Farms in 1952 as a small poultry farm raising chickens to sell to local supermarkets,” says Bloom. “I’m so proud of all of our team’s hard work and how far we’ve come to become an established partner of choice
Graycliff Partners has completed the acquisition of Ballymore, a designer and manufacturer of safety-centric equipment for use by retailers, OEMs, and distribution customers.
Since its founding in 1945, Ballymore has grown from its origins as the first ever manufacturer of rolling ladders to a provider of a variety of safety-focused electric lifts, ladders, work platforms, portable loading docks, and other related material handling equipment. Through an emphasis on engineering, new product development, and customer service, Ballymore is able to offer premier products that improve workplace safety, reduce insurance costs, and improve productivity for its customers.
“We are thrilled to
Finch Capital has held the first close of its EUR150 million fund, Europe III, which will invest in European technology companies that shape the future of finance by using technology such as artificial intelligence.
Europe III saw a near 90 per cent follow on investment from previous funds. Since its inception in 2013, the firm has made a total of 40 investments across Europe and Asia and its assets now total USD400 million.
Finch’s Fund II invested in both SE Asian and European startups. Both Fund I (EUR40 million, 2014 Vintage) and Fund II (EUR110 million, 2017 Vintage) are generating
Cathay Capital, a global investment firm supporting companies across stages and markets, has appointed Arthur Yeung as Executive President.
Yeung will preside over the global management and evolution of the firm, spanning four continents and eight offices, by further exploring innovative business opportunities and models that push the boundaries of traditional investment practices and bring greater value to entrepreneurs, investors, management teams, partners, corporations and all in the Cathay ecosystem.
The appointment comes at a time when Cathay Capital is bolstering its leadership across regions with several promotions across its private equity and venture capital teams including Fabien Wesse
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