Latest News
PowerCloud Systems, a leading software platform provider for enabling Networking as a Service (NaaS), has secured USD6 million in Series B financing. The round was led by Qualcomm via its venture investment arm, Qualcomm Ventures. PowerCloud Systems’ existing investors – Walden Venture Capital, Javelin Venture Partners and PARC – all participated in the round.
Quinn Li, Senior Director of Qualcomm Ventures, says: "Qualcomm Ventures is focused on funding transformative business opportunities," said Quinn Li, senior director of Qualcomm Ventures. "PowerCloud’s technology platform enables powerfully simple networking-as-a-service solutions that can redefine the small-business networking market. PowerCloud’s innovative business model is compelling
LDC-backed MB Aerospace Holdings (MBAe), one of the UK’s leading aerospace companies, has acquired US-based Gentz Industries in a multi-million pound deal.
This strategic acquisition will double the size of MBAe’s current operations creating an international brand with total revenues in excess of USD80 million per annum. The enlarged group will focus on the supply chain management, manufacture and repair of highly complex machined and fabricated components for global aerospace and defence original equipment manufacturers.
Gentz Industries, based in Detroit, Michigan, has an established reputation within the global aerospace industry, manufacturing complex, high-precision engine components for customers including Pratt
Ashurst LLP has advised GE Capital Equity, General Electric’s investment vehicle, as well as the Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement (FSI), on their minority investments in the group AD Industrie.
An industrial group founded in 2004, and formed by successive acquisitions, today AD Industrie is a large French contractor specialised in the manufacturing and assembly of hydraulic units and networks and mechanical precision parts for the aviation, defence and energy sectors. The group’s turnover was EUR113 million in 2010 and it has almost 1500 employees, mainly in France.
These investments aim to support AD Industrie with its external growth strategy and in
Trade sales led realisation activity in 2011, according to the latest listed private equity Cash Flow Compass report published by LPEQ and Deloitte.
The report reveals that some 57% of direct fund realisations in 2011 consisted of trade sales as companies used their record cash surpluses to buy attractive business. This was almost double the 29% for the whole of 2010. Secondary buyouts fell to 20% in 2011 from 39% in 2010.
Furthermore, realisations were across a larger range of sectors in 2011 compared to 2010, with deals in the healthcare industry comprising 40% of the total in 2011, followed
The European Commission last week proposed a directive to regulate venture capital funds. David Blair (pictured), Head of Regulation at law firm Osborne Clarke, says the new proposals will hinder rather than benefit venture capitalists…
The European Commission describes its proposal for a Venture Capital Funds Regulation as an attempt to grow levels of venture capital investment in Europe through the creation of a European passport that will enable venture capital fund managers to market their funds without seeking authorisation in each member state.
When initially announced, it was welcomed in principle by the British government. In fact, if left
Willem Sels (pictured), UK Head of Investment Strategy at HSBC Private Bank, on last week’s ECB meeting…
The European Central Bank (ECB) last week provided the expected 0.25% rate cut and came to the rescue of banks, but not Eurozone governments. It gave a big boost to banks, by agreeing to provide longer term liquidity against a broader set of collateral. Senior bonds of better capitalised banks in core Europe may benefit from the ECB’s decision. On the sovereign debt side however, liquidity risks are still substantial.
We do not share Mr Draghi’s view that European governments’ efforts to cap
The Burgiss Group, a Hoboken, NJ-based solutions provider to the private capital markets, has announced a strategic partnership with Citi Private Equity Services (Citi PES), a provider of accounting, administration and tax services to private equity, venture capital and institutional investors.
Private capital investors are facing an increasing burden to consolidate data, track returns and administer investments across multiple funds and administration agents. Responding to this need, Citi has partnered with the Burgiss Group to leverage their software and data services to deliver integrated investment reporting and analytics that are seamlessly integrated into Citi’s private capital administration service. These solutions,
Cross Atlantic Capital Partners led the Series A financing round for Sagence Group, a management consulting firm focused on providing data strategy, management and analytics services to companies in Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Consumer Services and Consumer Products industries. Terms of the deal were have not been disclosed.
In addition to providing working capital, the investment will enable the company to expand sales and marketing and hire additional professional services staff.
“We believe that Sagence Group is unique in its ability to help its clients use their information assets in a strategic manner, due in large part to the management’s
Aureos Capital Limited (Aureos) has reached a final close of the Africa Health Fund, exceeding its target by raising USD105.4 million from a range of private sector and development finance institutional investors.
The Africa Health Fund is managed by Aureos, a private equity fund management company specialising in small and medium sized businesses in emerging markets.
The Africa Health Fund was established by Aureos in June 2009 with the International Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank, DEG, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as cornerstone investors.
Subsequent investors include private sector investors such including a major Dutch bank, Elma
Octopus Investments (Octopus) is reducing its annual management charge (from 1.75% to 1.25%) and capping the running costs on its flagship solar Venture Capital Trust (VCT) product, Octopus VCT 3&4. Adviser fees remain unchanged.
This action has been taken to ensure that, despite the reduction in Feed‐in Tariffs (FiT) for solar installations connected after 12 December, Octopus can continue to offer Octopus VCT 3&4 with the same target returns as originally envisaged, with tax‐free dividends of at least 5p per year beginning in 2013.
Octopus Managing Director Paul Latham says: “When the FiT reduction was announced, we wanted to make
Special Reports
Featured
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
