Aleva Neurotherapeutics, a company developing next-generation implants for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in major neurological indications such as Parkinson´s disease or depression, has closed a Series B financing round totalling CHF 4.0 million.  Banexi Ventures Partners acted as a lead investor in the financing, with selected private investors also participating in the round. Existing institutional investors are BioMedInvest AG, BB BIOTECH VENTURES III, LP and Initiative Capital Romandie. The proceeds will be used to advance Aleva’s leading-edge neurostimulation products through clinical development up to CE marking. Aleva´s products are based on its proprietary, next-generation microDBS technology for Deep Brain Stimulation

In response to strong investor interest in private equity in microfinance following the launch of the Azure Global Microfinance Fund of Funds, Azure Partners announces is launching its second fund of funds targeting the microfinance industry. Azure Microfinance Private Equity Fund of Funds will aim to capture high growth in emerging markets, investing in microfinance private equity funds.   The Fund will adopt a four steps investment strategy aimed at giving investors access to a fast growing, de-correlated industry, with low volatility. All of this in a vehicle which spreads risk in terms of geographic and diversity of underlying investments.

HIG Capital has successfully closed HIG BioVentures II, LP, which was over-subscribed with total aggregate commitments of USD268 million, exceeding its USD250 million target. The funds were raised entirely from limited partners specific to HIG BioVentures II, including a diverse group of top-tier global investors, including public and private pension funds, foundations, funds of funds, and large private family wealth managers. The Fund will make venture capital investments in innovative, product development focused healthcare companies located throughout North America. The Fund will invest in a broad range of sectors and development stages, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and

Accordion Partners, a financial services firm delivering deal and project execution services to private equity firms and corporate development groups, has completed a capital raise led by a mix of institutional and high net worth investors. The capital raise was led by Eagle Proprietary Investments Limited, a Dubai-based investment firm registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), with additional investments from strategic investors, including Peter Lehrman of AxialMarket and Alec Guettel, co-founder of Axiom Law. Each investor brings substantial professional networks and industry expertise important to Accordion’s mission and growth plans. Accordion acts as an in-house team for its

In the first quarter, US and European private equity funds held more closings and raised more capital than in the same period last year, but more than half the capital raised in each region went to a small contingent of firms. US private equity funds raised USD38.1 billion for 136 funds, a 4% increase in capital raised and 5% increase in fund closings from the first quarter of 2011. In Europe, private equity fund-raising spiked to USD22.3 billion raised for 43 funds, an 82% increase in capital and 10% increase in fund closings, according to Dow Jones LP Source.  

Piper, a private equity specialist in consumer brands, has taken a significant minority stake in Loungers, the operator behind the highly successful Lounge café-bar chain.   Loungers was founded in 2002 by a trio of longstanding friends, Alex Reilley, Jake Bishop and Dave Reid, who saw an opportunity to create a new chain of informal, neighbourhood all-day café-bars. Their idea was to provide customers with a ‘third space’ between work and home to meet, chat, eat and drink – a much more attractive and appealing alternative to the surrounding local pubs and coffee bars. Loungers opened its first unit in Bristol and there are now five Lounges in Bristol and more than

Mistral Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on the consumer, retail and consumer media sectors, has invested growth capital in XpresSpa, a leading airport retailer of spa services and spa and travel related products, with thirty-eight locations in the United States and the Netherlands. "This concept pioneered and defined the airport spa segment,” says Andrew Heyer (pictured), Managing Partner of Mistral Equity Partners. “XpresSpa has enormous untapped growth potential and a differentiated concept that has become a cornerstone of airport retail offerings, playing a crucial role in delivering health and wellness services to travellers in over 19 airports. Through