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Thoma Bravo scoops up cybersecurity company Darktrace

The take-private values the company at £4.3bn

Goldman Sachs Jefferies Kirkland & Ellis Latham & Watkins Qatalyst Partners Thoma Bravo

Synova backs Synectics Solutions

The GP typically invests £15-150m into companies valued between £20m and £250m

Synova Uk

BGF backs UK-based human risk management platform with £3.25m

Yorkshire and Northeast investor Rob Johnson, who led on the deal, will join the portco's board

Bgf Kpmg Squire Patton Boggs Tax Advisory Partnership Uk Walker Morris

Neqst exits Swedish data management provider to GRO

Neqst first backed DigitalRoute in 2008, and most recently had a 94% ownership stake in the portco

Neqst Software Sweden

Deal in Focus: EMH Partners eyeing up geographic expansion for newest portco

Speaking to Real Deals off the back of the firm's recent investment in Stonebranch, partner Jens Zuber says engagement with the company intensified towards the beginning of 2023

Code & Co Elvaston Capital Emh Partners Milbank

Main exits healthtech firm Evolution in trade sale

The exit is the largest in the firm's 20-year history in terms of enterprise value

Main Capital Partners

Seraphim Space’s sophomore venture fund holds first close

The new fund is aiming to build a portfolio of approximately 30 companies

Seraphim Space Space

DB AG reaps more than 3x on In-tech sale to Infosys

The German GP invested in the company in 2022

Dbag Germany

Deal in Focus: Progressio’s Archiva deal reflects focus on IT, but some sub-sectors ‘too fragmented’

Beatrice Capretti, partner at Milan-based Progressio, speaks to Real Deals about the "caution" required when shopping around for tech deals

Bonelli Erede Clearwater International Deloitte Ey Progressio Pwc Roland Berger Russo De Rosa Associati

Battery Ventures-backed Proemion expands industrial asset analytics platform

The German company has acquired TrendMiner for €47m

Battery Ventures Belgium Germany Proemion Holding

Ardian-backed Planisware launches IPO

The software company postponed its intention to float in October last year

Ardian Bnp Paribas Hogan Lovells Rothschild & Co White & Case

Apax-backed Palex Medical forms European medtech platform with new add-on

Apax first invested in Palex in July 2023

Apax Apax Partners Belgium Freeman Capital Spain

Genesis Capital acquires Hungarian automotive-distribution IT specialist

The GP aims to capitalise on the ongoing digital transformation in vehicle distribution chains

Amplify Consulting Digital Transformation Ecovis Ey Genesis Capital Kinstellar Oppenheim

Apax acquires Zellis Group from Bain Capital

The payroll provider counts Harrods, Iceland and Jaguar among its clients

Apax Partners Arma Partners Bain Capital Evercore Kirkland & Ellis Morgan Stanley Ropes & Gray Weil Gotshal & Manges

Bowmark Capital sells UK-based digital specialist

Bowmark acquired a stake in Focus Group in 2020

Arma Partners Bowmark Capital Hg Capital Houlihan Lokey Linklaters Osborne Clarke

Deal in Focus: Triton’s Norstat exit preparation started on ‘day one’

"Identify likely buyers early" is the firm's approach, Triton partner Daniel Björklund tells Real Deals

Norway Triton Partners William Blair

MML Capital-backed Zanders expands consultancy expertise with Dutch bolt-on

The deal represents Zanders' third bolt-on since MML first invested in 2021

Abn Amro Dc Advisory Grant Thornton Mml Capital Partners Pinsent Masons

Lakestar closes latest fund generation on $600m

Lakestar Early IV and Lakestar Growth II will focus their investments in AI, digitalisation, deeptech, healthcare and fintech

Lakestar

Deal in Focus: Apiary’s 4x return on sale of entertainment touring agent TAG worth the wait

Apiary's Mark Salter and ECI's Rory Nath speak to Real Deals about the exit

Apiary Capital Browne Jacobson Clearwater International Eci Partners Rothschild & Co Squire Patton Boggs

STG Partners takes London fintech private

The Californian sponsor has delisted London-based fintech Gresham Technologies

London Stock Exchange Paul Hastings Stg Partners

French VC Quantonation raises €70m

The fund is dedicated to investing in quantum technologies

Bpi France France Quantonation Ventures Venture Capital

Expedition closes Fund II on €250m hard cap

The London-based GP closed its €174m debut fund in 2021

Software

PSG Equity sells Nalanda Global to Once For All

PSG will retain a minority stake in the combined business

Exits Psg Saas Spain

Helix Kapital closes Fund III on €135.9m hard cap

Helix Kapital Fund III will continue the strategy of Helix’s previous funds, focusing on growth buyout investments in small-cap Nordic companies.

Helix Kapital Sweden

SEP exits Intelligent Reach

The Scottish firm acquired the business in 2014

Exits Retail Saas Scottish Equity Partners Uk

Accel-KKR invests in Aico

With the deal, the firm will support Aico's expansion in the DACH region

Acquisitions Finland

Gyrus Capital exits Intellera Consulting

Following a three-year holding period, the Swiss sponsor has sold the business to Accenture 

Allen & Overy Oc&c

Nordwind Growth backs Stackfield

The investor said it was impressed by Stackfield’s commitment to innovation, security and customer satisfaction

Communications Germany Stackfield

Sagard in negotiations to invest in Primelis

The deal is the tenth investment from the Sagard 4 fund.

8advisory Alvarez & Marsal Amala Partners Cambon D’ornano Et Associés Ecap Partner France Kearney Kpmg Lamartine And Dumon Partners Mayer Brown Sagard

ECI-backed Moneypenny expands to the US

The telecoms business has acquired Sunshine Communications

Eci Partners

PX3 acquires Com Laude Group

Vespa Capital has exited after a seven-year holding period

Aon Castlegreen Partners Debevoise Grant Thornton Houlihan Lokey Kpmg Marlborough Partners Pinsent Masons Px3 Partners Roland Berger Teneo

ThinCats launches regional fund

The fund targets midsized SMEs across the UK

Liquidity Private Debt Thincats Uk

TA becomes lead investor in Carlyle-backed SER

Carlyle first acquired a majority stake in the portfolio company in 2018

Carlyle Group Germany Ta Associates

Hg backs CUBE

The portco’s founder and CEO Ben Richmond has also invested

Artificial Intelligence Hg

Exponent backs Ethos Engineering

It is the PE firm’s seventh platform investment in Ireland

A&l Goodbody Alantra Capnua Corporate Finance, Beauchamps Data Exponent Ireland Kpmg Lek

Kester Capital III closes on £200m hard-cap

The fund is more than double the size of its predecessor

First Point Equity Kester Capital Osborne Clarke Uk

Verdane backs Nordic software provider Ingrid

The transaction also saw participation from Schibsted Ventures

Sweden Verdane

Main Capital-backed PeakAvenue bolts on Isograph

The GP backed the software company in 2022

Grant Thornton Main Capital Partners Mcdermott Wdp

Ardian acquires green data centre platform Verne

The deal was signed in November last year when Ardian agreed to acquire the company for $575m

Ardian

GCP-backed Bridewell acquires Arculus

The deal allows the firm to expand into the public sector

Addleshaw Goddard Cavendish Cowgills Cybersecurity Flint Global Gbh Growth Capital Partners Hsbc Pinsent Masons Uk

Keensight-backed BYG4lab acquires Finbiosoft

The deal expands BYG4lab’s footprint in new markets

Finland Keensight Capital

Coniston Capital invests in Equity Networks

The deal will enable Equity Networks to build on its acquisitive growth strategy

Barnes Roffe Browne Jacobson Coniston Capital Old Mill

LDC-backed Onecom acquires Excalibur Communications

The bolt-on represents the 11th acquisition since the GP first invested in 2019

Ldc Uk

Schroders Capital launches UK LTAF

The fund eyes tech and science opportunities within the UK VC arena

British Business Bank Ltaf Phoenix Equity Partners Schroders Capital Uk

Estancia acquires stake in Flagstone

Estancia partners Takashi Moriuchi and Keegan Mitchell will join the Flagstone board of directors

Cms Dechert Estancia Capital Partners Houlihan Lokey Jefferies

H.I.G. exits ICG Group

The communications business has been sold to a trade buyer

France Germany H.i.g. Capital

Hg-backed Septeo acquires ACIGrup

The GP first invested in the business in 2020 through its Hg Genesis 9 fund

Hg Capital Spain

Bregal Milestone acquires Evli Alexander Incentives

The Nordic company is a subsidiary of Evli Plc

Bregal Investments Castrén & Snellman Finland White & Case

EMZ Partners-backed portco expands to the US

The GP’s portfolio company FotoFinder Systems has acquired DermLite

Emz Partners Germany Goodwin Procter Houlihan Lokey Isp Healthcare Rsm Ebner Stolz Taxess Venable, Lupp + Partner

Exclusive: Quilvest acquires Acuiti Labs

Thomas Vatier, partner and co-head of buyout, tells Real Deals that the investor plans on leveraging its transatlantic expertise to grow the business

Asia Fried Frank Houlihan Lokey North America Quilvest Capital Partners

Keensight Capital acquires SoftCo

The GP will target geographical expansion with a focus on North America

Bird & Bird Deloitte Ireland Keensight Capital Paul Hastings

Afinum acquires Prologa

It is the ninth platform investment from its Afinum 9 fund

Afinum Circular Economy Germany

LDC backs Brighton-based software developer

LDC partner and head of south Aylesh Patel, plus investment manager Josh Wachman, will join the portco’s board as non-executive directors

Clearwater International Ldc Pwc Software Travel Uk

Maguar Capital Partners’ second fund holds final close on hard-cap

The GP said existing investors “significantly” increased their investment amounts

Asante Capital Clifford Chance Germany Maguar Capital Partners

Genui and Primepulse exit Mindcurv

The investors helped grow the firm’s revenues threefold

Cms Genui Germany Primepulse

Palatine’s maiden Growth Credit Fund holds first close

The fund will support maturing, high-growth but not startup companies

Credit Palatine Uk

YFM backs Smart Numbers MBO

Founder Scott Woolaway will continue to hold a “significant” shareholding in the business

Cil Confidas People Gateley Grant Thornton Hazlewoods Lockton Marketing Pkf Francis Clark Taylor Rose Uk Yfm Equity Partners

Foresight Group backs Live Group with VCT investment

The VCT funding will support the company to develop its audience engagement technology

Azets Brightbridge Catalysis Charles Russell Speechlys Cloud Origin Crowe Events Foresight Group Kryptocloud Shoosmiths Uk Vct Vista Whitecap Consulting

Bowmark-backed Focus Group acquires Pinnacle

The add-on will enhance Focus Group's geographical reach across the Southwest

Bowmark Capital Knight Corporate Finance Pwc Roxburgh Milkins Rsm Uk

Turquoise and Redwheel launch UK climatetech growth-stage fund

The fund is targeting more than £100m

Climate Investment Climatetech Growth Redwheel Turquoise Uk

Montagu-backed ParentPay Group bolts on GDPRiS

The acquisition aims to further develop ParentPay Group’s client offering

Montagu Uk

Equistone-backed Timetoact Group bolts on Trustbit

The deal marks the eighth add-on for Timetoact Group since the GP invested

Austria Bdlv Equistone Equistone Partners Europe Mcdermott P+p Pöllath Wdp

Exclusive: Phoenix exits Global Freight Solutions

During a seven-year hold period, the GP helped double the firm’s revenue and profitability

Deloitte Phoenix Equity Partners Rothschild & Co Travers Smith

Inflexion carves out Marlowe’s GRC division

The deal represents Inflexion fifth carve-out in three years

Carve-outs Ey Inflexion Oc&c Slaughter & May Uk

Nordic Capital-backed Conscia acquires ITGL

The deal marks the 17th acquisition by the business in the last decade

Cybersecurity Denmark Ireland Nordic Capital Uk

Adelis Equity Partners sells Presto and HVD

The GP has reinvested in the business via its Adelis Fund III

Adelis Equity Partners Continuation Funds Harbourvest Partners Software Uk

Pride Capital Partners-backed GBC Group bolts on Bolde

The GP first invested in GBC Group in February 2022

Germany Pride Capital Partners

Maguar Capital-backed HRworks bolts on Bonrepublic

The GP first invested a majority stake in the business in 2020

Blomstein Code&co; Germany Herbst Kinsky Kpmg Maguar Capital Partners Saas Schindler Attorneys Software

Verdane completes quadruple acquisitions swoop from VNV Global

The investor seeks to support the digitalisation of the economy, it said in a statement

Sweden Uk Verdane

Main Capital-backed Qics bolts on ProjectFlow

The deal marks the first add-on for Qics since the GP backed the firm in 2021

Denmark Main Capital Partners Netherlands

August Equity exits Agilio Software

The firm was sold to Five Arrows and TA Associates

Aon Arma Partners August Equity Cms Crosslake Deloitte Five Arrows Netherlands Oc&c Ta Associates

BGF reinvests in KYND

The growth investor first invested in the firm in 2022

Bgf Phoenix Equity Partners Uk

Main Capital-backed TimePlan bolts on TimeMap

TimeMap offers a cloud-based SaaS workforce management solution

Denmark Finland Main Capital Partners Norway

Innova Capital picks up minority stake in CloudFerro

The GP backed the business through its Innova/7 fund

Innova Capital Poland

Growth Capital Partners exits Cubelogic

Bowmark Capital has acquired shares in the SaaS business

Bowmark Capital Growth Capital Partners Saas

Keensight-backed Valiantys bolts on Glintech

The business eyes global expansion following this transaction

Australia Cloud Services Keensight Capital Software

LDC invests in Uinsure

Aziz Ul-Haq, partner at the GP, told Real Deals that the value creation plan will focus on removing the complexity of insurance for the firm’s partners and customers

Deloitte Dla Piper Eversheds Sutherland Gp Bullhound Hsbc Insurance Kpmg Ldc Lek Santander

HAT holds first close of Technology Fund 5

The new fund has a target size of €200m

Article 8 Hat Italy

Bregal Milestone-backed Anywhere365 bolts on Deepdesk

The business plans to open new offices overseas

Belgium Bregal Investments The Netherlands Uk Us

Fund in Focus: Fondo Italiano d’Investimento’s co-investment fund hits first close on €82m

Roberto Travaglino tells Real Deals that the investor hopes to reach its final close within 12 months

Co-investments Fondo Italiano D’investimento Italy Smes

Keensight Capital-backed Bedford Consulting bolts on Mentat Technology

It is the third acquisition by the business since Keensight's first investment in 2022

Keensight Capital Uk

Kennet and Federated Hermes invest in Screendragon

Screendragon's executive chairman Clive Sirkin has named a new board of directors

Federated Hermes Private Equity Fladgate Ireland Kennet Partners Kroll Pagemill Partners Uk Us Wilson Sonsini

Riverside’s RAC Opportunity Fund II closes at $235m

The fund provides growth opportunities to B2B software companies

Final Close Fundraising

British Patient Capital commits funds to Episode 1’s Fund III

The third fund from the specialist early-stage technology investor fund has closed on £76m

British Business Bank British Patient Capital

TMT Report 2024: Wired for investment

Chris Baker, Aylesh Patel and Oliver Schofield, investors at leading UK midmarket private equity firm LDC, on why TMT businesses remain an attractive opportunity for private equity and the key trends driving M&A in the sector

Ldc

VR Equitypartner and AG Capital acquire Identa Kartensysteme

The German company provides chip-card solutions

Ag Capital Grant Thornton K&p Strategy Consultants Luther Tauw Vr Equitypartner

Thoma Bravo completes €400m take-private of EQS Group

The software investment firm made a €40 per share offer to acquire EQS

Germany Thoma Bravo

Driv Kapital backs new Norwegian IT consultancy group

The Nordic investor invested in the business through its Driv Kapital Fund I

Driv Kapital Norway

BGF backs holiday parks IT specialist

Elite Dynamics serves more than 350 parks in the UK and internationally

Apex Group Bgf Big Hand Group Dtm Legal Hurst Mills And Reeves

Main Capital Partners invests in Cisbox

The private equity firm has announced three acquisitions and three bolt-ons in 2024 so far

Germany Main Capital Partners

FPE-backed Egress Group acquires Stalis

The UK-based company provides specialist IT consultancy services and bespoke solutions to the healthcare sector

Cortus Transaction Services Fpe Capital Graph Strategy Stephenson Harwood Tax Advisory Partnership

AnaCap-backed PFS acquires AIS Group

The GP invested in the Spanish company in July 2022

Anacap Spain

Organic Growth: Foresight and Partners Group reveal their tech playbooks

In this Organic Growth special, we speak to Foresight and Partners Group about how the GPs’ value creation strategies led to their successful exits of Fresh Relevance and Civica respectively

Foresight Group Hg Capital Partners Group

Keensight Capital exits Vision-Box in trade sale

The GP first invested in the business in 2015

Houlihan Lokey Keensight Capital

Pride Capital Partners-backed Link11 Group bolts on Reblaze Technologies

Since the GP invested, the business has completed two bolt-ons

Germany Pride Capital Partners

TMT Report 2024: Turn the page

Amid increasing interest from tech investors in B2B information services, Xhulio Ismalaj explores the subsector

Coniston Capital Epiris Icg

Maven invests in medtech business Carcinotech

The British Business Bank has inked its first major deal from its £150m Investment Fund for Scotland through appointed fund manager Maven Capital Partners

British Business Bank Maven Capital Partners

3TS Capital Partners holds final close of European tech fund on €111m

The GP received commitments from the EIF among others

3ts

Main Capital Partners acquires Millum

The GP aims to support the firm’s expansion internationally

Denmark Main Capital Partners Norway Sweden

Progressio Investimenti IV holds first closing on €182m

Commitments from its existing investor base made up more than 75% of the fundraising, the GP said

Di Tanno Associati Italy Legance Progressio