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Oktogo Raises US$11 Million in New Funding (CEE and CIS)
Russia-based online hotel reservations service Oktogo has raised US$11 million in venture capital funding from VTB Capital, the investment arm of Russia’s VTB Group, France-based Ventech Capital, Luxembourg-based Mangrove Capital Partners and Russian internet entrepreneur Victor Sazhin’s eponymous investment group. Oktogo will use the funds to invest in brand building and regional development in Russia. Read More
Carlyle-backed Repco Home Finance Launches IPO (Asia)
Repco Home Finance (RHF), the housing finance unit of India-based Repco Bank, has launched an initial public offering on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of 15.7 million shares valued at up to INR2.7 billion (US$49.7 million). RHF is backed by private equity firms The Carlyle Group, Wolfensohn Capital Partners and Creador. RHF, which priced… Read More
W7 Brazil Capital and Atomico Invest BRL20 Million in Bebe Store (Latin America)
Brazilian private equity firm W7 Brazil Capital and global technology investment firm Atomico have invested BRL20 million (approximately US$10.2 million) in Bebe Store, a Brazil-based online baby and children’s products retailer. Bebe Store intends to use the funding to expand its product range, augment its management team and improve logistics capabilities. Atomico previously invested in Bebe Store in December 2011. Read More
TPG Investing US$5 Million in Flexituff (Asia)
Global investment firm TPG has agreed to invest INR270 million (approximately US$5 million) in Flexituff, an India-based bulk container manufacturer, via a preferential share issue. TPG, through its TPG Growth II platform, intends to purchase over 1.2 million equity shares in the Bombay Stock Exchange- and National Stock Exchange-listed company, equivalent to a 5.3 percent equity stake. Flexituff previously raised… Read More
Genesis Capital Acquires Majority Stake in HSW Signall (CEE and CIS)
Genesis Capital, a Czech Republic-based private equity firm, has acquired an 80 percent stake in Czech advertising and printing solutions provider HSW Signall. Genesis Capital, which made the investment from its Genesis Private Equity Fund II, acquired the stake from Neschen Benelux, HSW’s Netherlands-based supplier, and purchased an additional equity interest from minority shareholders. HSW plans to use Genesis’ investment… Read More
Alta Ventures Mexico Invests in Ondore (Latin America)
Mexican venture capital fund Alta Ventures Mexico has invested US$1.5 million in Ondore, a company specializing in big data analysis and online reputation management. Ondore, which has offices in Mexico City and San Francisco, plans to use Alta Ventures’ investment to expand sales and marketing efforts for its flagship product, Ondore Scout. Alta Ventures Mexico, which invests in Mexico- and… Read More
Senior Solution Joins BOVESPA Mais (Latin America)
Senior Solution, a Brazilian software company, has held an initial public offering in Brazil that raised BRL62million (approximately US$32 million). The company, which was listed on Brazil’s BOVESPA Mais without a share offering in May 2012, sold 3.5 million new shares. Brazilian investment and advisory firm Stratus Group and development bank BNDES sold an additional 2 million shares in a… Read More
McNally Bharat Engineering Raises US$7.5 Million from Tata Capital, Others (Asia)
Indian private equity firm Tata Capital, Indian wealth management company Vyana Advisory and investor Brijesh Kumar Biyani have collectively invested INR416 million (approximately US$7.5 million) in Indian engineering company McNally Bharat Engineering (MBE). MBE provides turnkey solutions for the power, metals and minerals industries. The consortium purchased non-convertible redeemable preference shares in MBE on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Read More
Actis Reaches Agreement with Veolia (MENA)
Emerging markets-focused private equity firm Actis has agreed to purchase French environmental solutions provider Veolia Environnement’s Moroccan water, wastewater and electricity services, operated by concession companies Redal and Amendis. The transaction is valued at around EUR370 million (approximately US$482 million). Read More
The Abraaj Group Announces Investment in Anoud (MENA)
Global growth markets-focused private equity firm The Abraaj Group has made an investment in Palestine-based Arabic educational games and toys maker Anoud Games. The Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), an independent investment company, is co-investing in the deal alongside Abraaj’s Palestine Growth Capital Fund (PGCF), in which PIF is a cornerstone partner. Anoud Games plans to use the investment to increase… Read More
Affinity Reaches US$1.5 Billion First Close on Fund IV (Asia)
Asia-focused private equity firm Affinity Equity Partners has reportedly held a first close on its latest buyout fund, Affinity Asia Pacific Fund IV, with US$1.5 billion in commitments. The fund, which has a hard-cap of US$3.5 billion, will pursue control-oriented investments throughout Asia, with an emphasis on Australia, Greater China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. Approximately 20 institutional investors… Read More
3i Invests in Brazilian Eyewear Retailer, Óticas Carol (Latin America)
A consortium of investors led by international investment firm 3i Group has agreed to acquire Brazilian eyewear retailer Óticas Carol (OC) from Brazilian entrepreneur Marcos Amaro for BRL108 million (approximately US$54.8 million). The investment is intended to support OC’s plan to expand throughout Brazil. Institutional investors Siguler Guff & Company and Neuberger Berman are co-investing alongside 3i. Read More