GPCA covers the latest fund, investment and industry news across our markets in two newsletters: NewsWatch is a weekly round-up of key transactions across asset classes; the Global Tech Brief is a bi-weekly review of tech transactions and innovations with cross-border applications. Subscribe in the left-hand sidebar.
Access past editions of NewsWatch here.
MCI Management to Acquire Lithuania-based Pigu Group (CEE and CIS)
Central and Eastern Europe-focused private equity group MCI Management has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Pigu Group, a Lithuania-based operator of online marketplaces in the Baltic states. The transaction will be structured through MCI.TechVenures 1.0, and is subject to clearances from competition authorities. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Tata Capital to Acquire a Minority Stake in TVS Logistics Services (Asia)
Tata Capital, the private equity arm of Indian conglomerate Tata Group, has agreed to acquire a minority stake in India-based third-party logistics provider TVS Logistics Services. The transaction is reportedly valued at up to INR2.5 billion (approximately US$39 million), and will be structured through Tata Opportunities Fund. The investment will fund TVS’s acquisition of Drive India Enterprise Solutions, an India-based… Read More
SparkLabs Global Ventures Invests in Dating LATAM (Latin America)
SparkLabs Global Ventures, a global seed stage fund, has invested in Dating LATAM, a Peru-based online dating start-up that operates the website MiMediaManzana.com. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Batuta Raises a US$2.5 Million Series A Round from Siraj Fund Management Company (MENA)
Palestine-based online travel site Batuta has raised a US$2.5 million Series A round of funding from Palestine-focused private equity fund manager Siraj Fund Management Company. The transaction was structured through Siraj Palestine Fund I. The company will use the new funds to grow its core business and develop a new booking platform. Read More
IFC and Swicorp Back Luminus Education with an US$18 Million Investment (MENA)
Development finance institution International Finance Corporation (IFC) and MENA-focused investment banking and asset management firm Swicorp have invested US$18 million in Jordan-based vocational and technical education provider Luminus Education. Luminus will use the new funds to diversify its offerings and expand locally and regionally. Swicorp first invested in Luminus in July 2014 in an investment structured through its Intaj II… Read More
Zodius Capital II Reaches a First Close with INR7 Billion in Commitments (Asia)
Technology-focused private equity firm Zodius Capital Advisors, in partnership with India-focused alternative asset manager Avendus Capital, has reached a first close for its second fund, Zodius Capital II, with INR7 billion (approximately US$110 million) in capital commitments. Zodius Capital II plans to back eight to ten enterprise software and consumer technology companies in India by the end of this year. Read More
Gulf Capital to Provide Debt Financing to Carbon Holdings (MENA)
Middle East-focused alternative asset manager Gulf Capital has signed a debt financing agreement to support Egypt-based petrochemicals holding company Carbon Holdings. Gulf Capital will provide an AED92 million (approximately US$25 million) convertible, five-year loan facility to finance the development and expansion of three of Carbon Holdings’ petrochemical projects: a mining grade ammonium nitrate plant, a polypropylene production plant and a… Read More
Lone Star Increases Its Stake in Globe Trade Centre (CEE and CIS)
Global private equity firm Lone Star has increased its stake in Poland-based real estate developer Globe Trade Centre (GTC) from 32.5 to 55.2 percent via a tender offer, with the intention of eventually raising its holding to 66 percent. Lone Star, which offered PLN6.1 (approximately US$1.63) per GTC share until 22 May, reduced its offer price to PLN5.5 (approximately US$1.47)—below… Read More
GP Investments and GTIS Partners Conclude US$400 Million Brazil Hospitality Group (Latin America)
GTIS Partners, a real estate private equity firm, and GP Investments, an alternative investments firm in Latin America, have concluded a US$400 million take-private of Brazil-listed hotel operator Brazil Hospitality Group (BHG). The deal gave GTIS Partners an approximately 70 percent stake in the newly-private company, with the remainder of the shares owned by GP Investments. BHG owns and operates… Read More
Warburg Pincus Completes a Follow-on Investment in Mofang Gongyu (Asia)
Global private equity firm Warburg Pincus has completed a follow-on investment in China-based apartment developer Mofang Gongyu, committing nearly US$200 million across two rounds of funding. Warburg Pincus originally invested US$60 million in Mofang in a Series B financing round in 2013. Mofang intends to open 100 buildings through a franchising model this year, providing community facilities and services for young… Read More
Vinci Partners Fully Exits Equatorial Energia for BRL700 Million (Latin America)
Brazil-focused alternative investment and asset management firm Vinci Partners has sold its remaining 10.5 percent stake in Brazil-listed energy holding company Equatorial Energia for BRL700 million (approximately US$231 million). Vinci had previously exited a ten percent stake in the company in February 2015. Read More
Piton Capital and Vostok Nafta Investment Lead a US$6.5 Million Round for Naseeb Networks (MENA)
International investment companies Piton Capital and Vostok Nafta Investment have led a US$6.5 million Series C round for Naseeb Networks, a Pakistan-based operator of online employment marketplaces with a focus on emerging markets. The company will use the new funding to accelerate its growth in target markets. Read More