WHEB Ventures, a European clean technology venture capital firm, has invested in the home energy management company PassivSystems. Established in 2008 and headquartered in the UK, PassivSystems is developing the new PassivEnergy home energy management system. Without forcing energy consumers to change their lifestyles, Passiv’s system monitors and automatically optimises energy consumption in the home including heating, hot water and electrical appliances. PassivSystems is using this first round of external finance to establish a major commercial partnership and launch its first commercial product in early 2010.   James McNaught-Davis (pictured), managing partner at WHEB Ventures, says: “We are delighted to

Berkery Noyes has advised Tradeware Global in its sale to SS&C Technologies. The acquisition of Tradeware Global expands SS&C’s electronic trading offering in the broker/dealer market on a global basis. The acquisition adds approximately 250 clients and 60 staff based in New York and London to SS&C’s global capabilities. Tradeware currently provides services to brokers and institutions in 82 countries around the world. The company specialises in flexible financial information exchange-based equity order management systems, FIX connectivity solutions and full front-to-back office integration and compliance reporting services. "This is an exciting milestone for our company, and we look forward to

The UK saw a 24.5 per cent decrease in UK mergers and acquisitions and equity capital market transactions announced during 2009, according to data from Experian. In the UK there were 4,269 deals announced in 2009 compared to 5,656 in 2008. GBP272.6bn worth of transactions were announced in the UK in the year, up by 0.22 per cent on 2008. There were 8.4 per cent fewer deals announced during Q4 2009 compared to Q3 2009. Deal volumes decreased from 1,098 transactions in Q3 to 1,006 in Q4. JP Morgan Chase announced the most UK deals in 2009, advising on 82

Merger and acquisition deal value and volume fell 27 per cent in 2009, but the end of the year showed signs that the recession is coming to an end and M&A is starting to pick up, according to a report by mergermarket. The last quarter of 2009 was the best quarter in value terms since the third quarter of 2008. With 2,523 announced deals valued at USD626.8bn, the quarter saw an increase of 35 per cent over the same period in 2008 and 90 per cent compared to the previous quarter. The quarter was also the biggest by value ever

Archway Technology Partners, a global software and services company, has been chosen by Saturn Capital Management to provide fund administration services via its operations outsourcing service bureau. "Archway is excited about the local relationship with the Saturn team and the opportunity to expand its administration services," says Mike Landis, director, Archway Technology Partners. "Archway’s operations outsourcing service is a natural extension from our software business where our clients can leverage best of breed technology and a team of fund accountants to complete accounting responsibilities and financial reporting. With Saturn’s high performing management team coupled with their selection of other reputable

Mid-market growth investor Lyceum Capital has acquired McKinnon & Clarke, one of the largest energy procurement and compliance specialists in Europe, for GBP22m. The deal sees Lyceum Capital take a significant majority stake in the consultancy which advises business users on energy and environmental usage and legislation in regulated and deregulated markets across the globe.   McKinnon & Clarke assists its 2,500-strong client base in driving efficiencies by providing a broad range of planning, procurement and management services. Headquartered in Fife, the company employs 87 people in Scotland and a further 286 across an international network of offices which spans 18

Huiou (Chongqing) Education Equity Investment Fund, the first of its kind in China, has been officially launched in Chongqing. China’s education sector has been drawing increasing attention from international investors in recent years, due to the country’s large population base and stable cash flow in the education sector. In terms of value, China’s educational market makes up just two per cent of the world’s total, while the Chinese student population, from primary school through university level, makes up 17 per cent of the world’s total, according to a report released by the World Bank in 2007. Spending on education accounted

With an election due this year, 78 per cent of companies think a Conservative government would be more supportive of entrepreneurial businesses, according to a review by Bowmark Capital.  Respondents say keeping interest rates low, simplifying employment law and cutting red tape should be priorities for the next government.  Respondents are considerably more upbeat after their mood hit a gloomy nadir 18 months ago. The Optimism Index, which tracks how positive respondents are about their own businesses, rebounded 6.4 points to 73.1 from July 2008, but there were dramatic disparities between the sectors reviewed in terms of their past performance,