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.

Agri-Vie Invests in Cape Olive Holdings (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Sub-Saharan Africa-focused private equity fund Agri-Vie, which targets food and agribusiness investments, has acquired a 63 percent stake in South Africa-based table olive supplier Cape Olive Holdings. The company intends to use the new capital to increase its penetration in the food services sector and exports into Africa. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

KKR Invests in Malaysia-Based Weststar Aviation Services and Serbia-Based SBB/Telemach Group (Asia, CEE and CIS)

Global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) has invested about MYR642 million (approximately US$200.8 million) for a substantial minority stake in Malaysia-based Weststar Aviation Services, provider of offshore helicopter and transportation services to the oil and gas industry. The transaction was structured through KKR Asian Fund II. Weststar intends to use the capital injection to expand its reach… Read More

Bridgepoint Acquires Polish Food Group Dr Gerard (CEE and CIS)

International private equity group Bridgepoint has acquired Poland-based Dr Gerard, a producer of branded and private label biscuits, from France-based biscuit manufacturer Groupe Poult. Dr Gerard intends to consolidate its position in Poland and develop an international platform in CEE. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Brazil’s Neogas Raises US$20 Million from IFC and ALAC (Latin America)

Development finance institution International Finance Corporation (IFC) and IFC Asset Management Company (AMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of IFC, have invested US$20 million in Brazil-based provider of natural gas logistics services Neogas. IFC AMC’s investment was structured through IFC African, Latin American and Caribbean Fund (ALAC). Neogas, which currently operates in Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Columbia, intends to use the… Read More

IFC Global Infrastructure Fund Completes US$1.2 Billion Fundraising (Global)

IFC Asset Management Company (AMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of International Finance Corporation (IFC), has completed fundraising for its infrastructure equity fund with capital commitments from 11 investors totaling US$1.2 billion, exceeding the fund target of US$1 billion. Investors include IFC and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC as anchor investors, as well as nine sovereign and pension fund investors from… Read More

The Abraaj Group Backs Côte d’Ivoire’s African Industrial Services (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Global growth markets investor The Abraaj Group has invested in Cote d’Ivoire-based engineering services and component manufacturing and distribution company African Industrial Services Group (AIS). AIS intends to use the capital injection to accelerate its next phase of expansion across West Africa. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Matrix Partners India Invests in Stayzilla.com (Asia)

Investment firm Matrix Partners India has acquired a significant minority stake in India-based Stayzilla.com, an online hotel booking platform. Matrix Partners India is the only investor in the company’s first institutional round of equity funding. Stayzilla.com, which was previously known as Insara.com, raised US$500,000 from Indian Angel Network in March 2012. It intends to use the new funding to increase… Read More

Henderson Equity Partners Completes Exit from HT Media (Asia)

Henderson Equity Partners, the private equity operation of Henderson Global Investors, has completed an exit from India-based HT Media, owner of English newspaper Hindustan Times, Hindi newspaper Hindustan and business newspaper Mint, by selling its remaining three percent stake on the National Stock Exchange of India. Henderson sold a little over seven million shares for INR526.9 million (approximately US$ 8.4… Read More

Aavishkaar Invests in Swarna Pragati and Arohan Financial Services (Asia)

Aavishkaar Venture Management, a venture capital firm focused on India’s rural areas, has participated in venture rounds for two India-based microfinance institutions: Swarna Pragati Housing Microfinance and Arohan Financial Services. Aavishkaar, alongside existing investor non-banking finance institution Asia Pragati, invested INR200 million (approximately US$ 3.2 million) in Swarna Pragati. For Arohan Financial Services, Aavishkaar participated in an INR220 million (approximately… Read More

IK Investment Partners to Acquire DNV Petroleum Services (Asia)

European private equity firm IK Investment Partners has entered into an agreement with Norwegian foundation Det Norske Veritas (DNV) to acquire its Singapore-based subsidiary DNV Petroleum Services (DNVPS), a provider of fuel management services for the maritime and power sectors. DNVPS intends to use the new capital to expand its service offerings and research and development capabilities, and use its… Read More

Aqua Capital Closes US$173 Million Agribusiness & Food Fund (Latin America)

Aqua Capital, a private equity firm focused on growth investments in mid-market companies in Latin America, has held a final close on its Agribusiness & Food Fund with total capital commitments of US$173.4 million, exceeding its target of US$150 million. Limited partners in the fund include United States, European, Middle Eastern and Latin American development finance institutions, endowments, family offices,… Read More

Jacana Partners and Soros Economic Development Fund Complete Investment in Tanzania (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Pan-African SME private equity firm Jacana Partners and non-profit private foundation Soros Economic Development Fund have invested a reported US$ 1 million in Tanzania-based dry bulk cargo handling company DSM Corridor Group (DCG). DCG intends to use the capital injection to finance the expansion of its storage capacity with respect to both volume and range of commodities. Read More