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CEPRES’ latest analysis shows the Pricing multiples for the top 25 per cent deals in North America, are rising at a much faster pace compared to the rest of the market.
In contrast to the North American market, European pricing shows a tighter spread among the quartiles which suggests that it is even more difficult for GPs to source and invest in opportunities that are particularly cheaper compared to the rest of the market.
Consequently, this means there is less room for returns driven by multiple expansion compared to North America with a broader spread of pricing multiples giving GPs a
Funds advised by YFM Equity Partners (YFM), a specialist private equity fund manager, have backed a GBP4.5 million investment into SharpCloud Software Limited (SharpCloud).
YFM’s investment comes from its two advised VCTs, British Smaller Companies VCT plc and British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc, alongside YFM Equity Partners Growth II LP.
SharpCloud was founded in 2012 by Sarim Khan and Rusty Johnson, following the successful sale of their previous software business to Oracle Primavera. Having spent some time within the Business Intelligence (‘BI’) and data analytics space, they noted a lack of powerful top-down software tools that could allow large organisations
True Nature Holding is forming a new Irish corporate entity, Mitesco PLC, to act as a holding company for its European based acquisitions.
The new name, which is Latin for “progress”, reflects the company’s strategy of acquiring healthcare technology solutions companies, generally, those that are early stage, but past proof of concept, and with revenues in the USD2 million to USD20 million range. It expects that the new operations will progress: by growing their market presence geographically in new markets, including the North American markets. The new entity will be based in Dublin, Ireland.
Separately, it announced that it has
Property agency Linley & Simpson has expanded into Humberside for the first time with the acquisition of the lettings arm of another agency, Beercocks in Hull.
The acquisition – completed for an undisclosed sum – is the ninth to take place since Linley & Simpson secured the backing of UK private equity investor LDC in June 2018 to accelerate its growth plans.
Linley & Simpson now operates 17 branches across North and West Yorkshire and this latest acquisition has transferred almost 500 properties into Linley & Simpson’s own rental portfolio, which today stands at 8,700 homes.
“While Linley & Simpson may
High Road Capital Partners (www.highroadcap.com) has sold its portfolio company Banner Solutions (www.bannersolutions.com) to Tailwind Capital. The sale, which closed on 31 October, 2019, marks the second exit for High Road Capital Partners Fund II.
Kansas City, Missouri-based Banner Solutions is a wholesale distributor of door hardware, electronic access control, and security products primarily for repair, replacement, and renovation applications in the commercial/institutional and residential markets.
High Road acquired Banner, formerly known as Midwest Wholesale Hardware, in February 2017. During High Road’s ownership, the company completed four acquisitions, and revenue and EBITDA more than tripled.
“Our successful investment
The cybersecurity sector’s largest ever deal, Broadcom’s landmark acquisition of Symantec for USD10.7 billion, set the tone for an uptick in transaction volume and continuously strong valuations, according to Hampleton Partners’ latest analysis of global cybersecurity mergers & acquisitions activity.
Hampleton’s Cybersecurity M&A report highlights the popularity of cybersecurity vendors as all industries seek protection from cyber-attacks.
Cybersecurity transaction volume rose by 15 per cent in the second-half of 2019 compared to that of 2H2017. Valuations have also remained healthy, with EV/S multiples consistently trading around 5x for the past four years – significantly above the 3x valuations seen
The Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (ESIF) is to acquire Condor Ferries, an operator of lifeline freight and passenger ferry services between Guernsey, Jersey, the United Kingdom, and the Port of St Malo in France.
The acquisition is made in consortium with Brittany Ferries, a French ferry operator, who has a minority stake. Condor Ferries has been acquired from Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund II, managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
ESIF is a new open-ended fund that invests in European mid-market equity assets, managed by leading global asset management group Columbia Threadneedle Investments. ESIF is managed by
Barings has completed a substantial investment in GigaSphere Holdings on behalf of clients and accounts managed by Barings.
The Company, which does business under the brand name GigaMonster, provides fibre-optic-based telecommunications products and services to the multifamily and commercial real estate industries.
“Worldwide 5G network infrastructure revenue is projected to reach USD4.2 billion in 2020 and GigaMonster’s UAN infrastructure technology is designed to support the mobile 5G market of the future,” says Mike Baumstein, Deputy Head of the Barings Private Equity & Real Assets team. “Barings has been deploying capital in cell towers, DAS systems, fibre networks, spectrum and data
Atalaya Capital Management, an alternative asset manager focused on private credit and special situations investments, has closed its seventh Special Opportunities Fund (ASOF VII) at its USD950 million hard-cap.
ASOF VII’s investors are primarily public pensions, corporate pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, and foundations & endowments.
Since the inception of its investment period, ASOF VII has closed 17 investments and called ~28 per cent of its capital commitments. Atalaya attributes the velocity of capital deployment to the Firm’s deep bench of repeat counterparty and joint venture relationships and long-standing industry experience. This initial activity demonstrates continued momentum from ASOF VI,
AMP Capital has appointed Ric Gordon as Head of Asset Management, Americas for its Infrastructure Equity business.
Gordon joins from Macquarie Capital, where he led asset management for the Americas, Europe and Asia since 2013. He has 15 years’ experience in private markets asset management, driving due diligence of investment opportunities, managing post-acquisition integration, and working with senior management to drive turnaround and performance improvement programs.
Gordon had worked at Macquarie Group since 2006, in Business Improvement & Strategy where he advised Group business units and portfolio companies of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets on business strategy and operational
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