BCN Group, a Manchester based IT cloud and managed services specialist, has acquired Evo-Soft, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central specialist. The acquisition follows a recent investment in BCN by growth-focused mid-market private equity firm ECI Partners. BCN is a digital transformation solutions and managed service provider delivering cloud first data strategies, including Microsoft Modern Workplace, Microsoft Azure, analytics, development, and IT security services to the mid-market and public sector organisations. The acquisition of Evo-Soft provides BCN with an exceptional platform to provide solution driven services for businesses across the UK. The move enhances the group’s focus on and capability

Skip Protocol (Skip) has raised $6.5 million in a seed funding round led by Bain Capital Crypto to support its development of a platform to bring the multi-billion dollar market for transaction prioritisation, reordering, and bundling (often known as “Miner Extractable Value” or “MEV”) to the Cosmos blockchain ecosystem and other fast-emerging proof-of-stake ecosystems.  Jump Crypto, Galaxy, Robot Ventures, Lightspeed Faction, IEX Group, Informal Systems, Sommelier Cofounder Zaki Manian, Celestia Chief Operating Officer Nick White, and JUNO Cofounder Jake Hartnell, among others, also participated in the round. Founded in 2022 by veteran software developers Barry Plunkett and Maghnus Mareneck, Skip’s

AccessFintech has raised $60 million in a Series C funding round, led by WestCap. As the lead investor, WestCap brings deep experience building and scaling transformational software for capital markets with companies including Ipreo, iLEVEL, BrokerTec, Tradeweb and SIMON Markets. Additional investment was secured from BNY Mellon and Bank of America, with further participation from Series B investors Dawn Capital, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi Group. The company’s latest funding round follows a $20 million Series B and brings the total capital raised to $97 million since 2018.  The additional funds will be used to accelerate AccessFintech’s growth as it

Technology and healthcare-focused buyout firm LLR Partners has made a growth investment in transportation management platform PCS Software. Existing investor Capstreet remains a minority shareholder in the business. PCS runs AI-driven transportation management platforms that automate transportation logistics operation via a single comprehensive web-based solution. LLR’s investment will support continued organic growth and product innovation plans as well as the pursuit of strategic acquisitions.  Kevin Johnson, principal at Capstreet, said: “Over the last three years, we have built out the PCS management team, invested in sales and go-to-market initiatives to expand into new customer segments, upgraded the software architecture, and completed

Technology-focused private equity firm Vector Capital is to make a $100 million strategic minority investment in real-time cyberprotection business Malwarebytes. Vector Capital Managing Directors Sandy Gill and Dave Fishman will join the company’s Board of Directors as part of the transaction. Founded in 2008, Malwarebytes detects and mitigates cyber threats for customers through intelligence, AI and machine learning.  The new capital will be deployed for product innovation, scaling the channel partner program and grow its Managed Service Provider business, the company said. The funding by Vector Capital follows investments led by Highland Capital Partners and Fidelity Management and Research Company.

Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS) has sold its remaining 30% stake in Shields Health Solutions to Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) for $1.37 billion, based on the exit multiple agreed at the time of Walgreen’s September 2021 investment in Shields Health. WBA’s full acquisition of Shields follows the increase of its stake to approximately 70% in September 2021. Shields runs specialty pharmacies in the US with nearly 80 health system partners representing approximately 1,000 hospitals nationwide. It delivered pro forma sales growth of 57% for the first nine months of fiscal 2022, driven by key contract wins, further expansion of

Global institutional investor GIC has entered into a strategic partnership agreement to acquire luxury beach resort group Sani/Ikos (SIG) in a €2.3bn deal. GIC will become the leading shareholder alongside SIG’s management team. Other investors in the group include Oaktree Capital, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Moonstone, Florac and Hermes GPE who will be selling their stakes to GIC as part of this transaction. Founded in 2015, SIG owns and operates luxury resorts in the Mediterranean. It recorded a 52% year-on-year increase in bookings this year and a 59% increase when compared with 2019. Its Ikos concept resorts were named TripAdvisor’s