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AMERICAS
Charlesbank Capital-backed Bridges Consumer Healthcare, a consumer healthcare company focused on OTC and personal care products, completed the acquisition of KT Tape, an an elastic sports tape manufacturer, from Palladin Consumer Retail, a private investment firm. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to press releases.
KT Tape was advised by Houlihan Lokey, Latham & Watkins, The Brand Amp, Andersen Tax & Legal and RSM International. Bridges Consumer Healthcare was advised by Weil Gotshal and Manges (led by Jakub Wronski). Charlesbank Capital was advised by Prosek Partners, according to press releases.
Generali, a financial services provider, agreed to acquire a 77% stake in MGG Investment Group, an investment firm specializing in senior secured loans and structured capital solutions for middle-market businesses, for $320m, according to press releases.
MGG Investment Group is advised by UBS, Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, Schulte Roth & Zabel (led by Benjamin Kozinn) and Gasthalter & Co. Generali is advised by Ardea Partners and Morgan Lewis & Bockius, according to press releases.
Mount Logan Capital, an alternative asset management and insurance solutions company, agreed to merge with 180 Degree Capital, a publicly traded registered closed-end fund, for $114m, according to press releases.
Levine Leichtman Capital, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire SYNERGY HomeCare, an industry provider of in-home care services, from NexPhase Capital, a private equity firm, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Levine Leichtman Capital is advised by Houlihan Lokey and Robert W Baird. SYNERGY HomeCare is advised by DLA Piper and Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn. Debt financing is provided by Apogem Capital, according to press releases.
Ares Management, a private equity firm, completed the acquisition of Form Technologies, a global producer of precision-engineered components, for $304m.
Ares Management was advised by Evercore and Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison (led by Michael Vogel). Form Technologies was advised by Jefferies & Company and Kirkland & Ellis (led by Chad J. Husnick and Alexander D. McCammon), according to press releases.
VSP Vision, a health insurance company, completed the acquisition of Eyemart Express, a doctor-founded organization with similar values and a shared commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality eye care and eyewear, from private equity firms FFL Partners and Leonard Green & Partners, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
FFL Partners was advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher (led by Caleb Vesey). VSP Vision was advised by Wells Fargo Securities, Kirkland & Ellis (led by Rajab S. Abbassi) and PricewaterhouseCoopers, according to press releases and Mergerlinks data.
Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, an infrastructure investment platform, completed the investment in Torch Clean Energy, a utility-scale solar and storage developer, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Torch Clean Energy was advised by KeyBanc Capital Markets and Latham & Watkins. Morgan Stanley was advised by Santander and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (led by Eli Hunt), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
Thrive Capital, an investment firm, led a $10bn Series J round in Databricks, a data and AI company, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global, JPM, GIC, Insight Partners, WCM Investment Management, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, ICONIQ, MGX, Sands Capital, Wellington Management, QIA, Temasek, Macquarie Capital and Meta, according to press releases.
MGX was advised by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (led by Marwan Elaraby). JPM was advised by Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (led by Dan Alterbaum). Insight Partners was advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher (led by Erin Kinney). OTPP was advised by Kekst CNC (led by Oliver Mann) , according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
Avolon, an aircraft leasing company, completed the acquisition of a 116-aircraft portfolio from Castlelake, an investment company, for $5bn, according to press releases.
Castlelake was advised by Goldman Sachs, Milbank (led by Dean Sattler and Benjamin Fidler) and Prosek Partners, according to press releases.
Stellex Capital Management, a New York-based middle-market private equity firm, completed the acquisition of Industrial Construction Services, a provider of electrical services. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to press releases.
Industrial Construction Services was advised by Houlihan Lokey. Stellex Capital was advised by Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison (led by Angelo Bonvino and Michael Vogel) and Marketcom PR (led by Rosalia Scampoli), according to MergerLinks data and press releases.
MPE Partners, a private equity firm, completed the investment in SKB Cases, a manufacturer of specialty protective cases, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
SKB Cases was advised by JP Morgan and Glaser Weil (led by Matthew J. Jann). MPE Partners was advised by Jones Day (led by Lisa Lathrop), according to press releases.
Astorg, a pan-European private equity firm, agreed to acquire Medical Media Business of FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, a manufacturer of cell culture solutions for the life science and medical markets, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Astorg is advised by Jefferies & Company. FUJIFILM is advised by Zyme Communications, according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
Gainline Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in lower middle-market companies, agreed to invest in IMS Technology Services, a company focused on audiovisual systems integration and event staging. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to press releases.
IMS Technologyis advised by The DAK Group. Gainline Capital Partners is advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher (led by Justin Sommerkamp and Gregory Astrachan), according to MergerLinks data and press releases.
Macquarie, a diversified financial group, agreed to invest BRL300m ($50m) in Brasil TecPar, a Brazilian connectivity and technology company, according to press releases.
Brasil TecPar is advised by BTG Pactual, according to MergerLinks data.
Granite Creek Capital Partners, a private investment firm based in Chicago, completed the acquisition of Ritchie Industries, a private investment firm based in Chicago. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Granite Creek Capital Partners was advised by LCH Communications (led by Lisa Hendrickson), according to press releases.
Gainline Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests in US-based middle-market companies, completed the acquisition of M&M International, a manufacturer precision-engineered small-diameter stainless steel tubing for mission-critical medical device applications, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Gainline Capital was advised by Willkie Farr & Gallagher (led by Justin Sommerkamp), according to Mergerlinks data.
American Pacific, a private equity firm, completed the investment in ServerLIFT, a manufacturer of purpose-built material handling and lifting equipment for critical IT infrastructure, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
American Pacific was advised by Jones Day (led by Joseph Hatina), according to Mergerlinks data.
Orkila Capital, a growth equity investment firm, and Bolt Ventures, a family-owned venture capital firm, completed the investment in Cast Iron Media, a sports streaming and advertising company that specializes in delivering targeted ads, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cast Iron Media was advised by Jefferies & Company, according to press releases.
QIA, the Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, led a $100m Series D round in Instabase, an applied artificial intelligence solution for unstructured data, with participation from Greylock Partners, NEA, Andreessen Horowitz, and Index Ventures, according to press releases.
IBM, a provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise, agreed to acquire Applications Software Technology, a global Oracle consultancy, from Recognize Partners, a venture capital firm. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to press releases.
Lone Star Funds prepares for a potential exit from Novo Banco. ( Bloomberg)
Lone Star Funds, the US private equity firm holding a 75% stake in Portugal's Novo Banco, is reportedly engaging advisers to explore exit strategies, including a sale or IPO.
Novo Banco, established in 2014 following the collapse of Banco Espírito Santo, has undergone significant restructuring under Lone Star's ownership since 2017. The bank has improved its financial health, reporting a core Tier-1 capital ratio of 19.9% and consistent profitability over the past three years.
In December 2024, shareholders agreed to lift a dividend payout ban, facilitating potential ownership changes through an IPO or sale. CEO Mark Bourke has indicated readiness for an IPO in early 2025, aiming to diversify the shareholder base while maintaining the bank's independence.
General Atlantic CEO says he is optimistic on TikTok deal in the US. ( Reuters)
The CEO of investment firm General Atlantic, who also serves on the board of TikTok's parent company, expressed optimism on January 23 about reaching a deal to allow the short-video app to continue operating in the United States.
On January 20, newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump signed an executive order postponing the enforcement of TikTok's ban by 75 days. The app had originally been set to shut down in the US on January 19.
Insight Partners closes $12.5bn in new funds to invest in software companies. ( Press Release)
Global software investor, Insight Partners, announced the closing of its thirteenth flagship fund with a dedicated buyout co-invest fund, as well as the closing of its structured equity fund, Opportunities Fund II. These funds represent $12.5bn in capital to deploy in leading software companies across the globe to support growth at any stage. The closing of these new funds brings Insight Partners' regulatory assets under management to more than $90bn and marks a notable milestone in the firm's 30-year history of scaling transformative software companies worldwide.
"For 30 years, Insight Partners has been more than an investor—we have been a partner to software leaders, helping them scale transformative ideas into global powerhouses. Fund XIII is a testament to the trust we've built with our founders, Limited Partners, and team. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on shaping the next era of innovation and growth in the software industry," Jeff Horing, Insight Partners Co-Founder and Managing Director.
Frontenac, a Chicago-based private equity firm, today announced the closing of its 13th fund, Frontenac XIII Private Capital at $900m of committed capital.
"It is incredibly meaningful to see our firm's investing approach, team and hard work resonate in the market. We are grateful for the enduring support from our existing investors and the confidence they have demonstrated in our team and in our strategy. We are also pleased to welcome a diverse group of high-quality new LPs that serve to deepen our investor base, especially amid challenges in the broader fundraising
environment," Walter Florence, Ron Kuehl, Michael Langdon, Frontenac
Managing Partners.
Frontenac was advised by Harris Williams & Co and Kirkland & Ellis.
EMEA
H.I.G. Capital, a global alternative investment firm, agreed to acquire Kantar Media, a media measurement and analytics company, from Bain Capital-backed Kantar Group, a marketing data and analytics company, for $1bn, according to press releases.
H.I.G. Capital is advised by ING Bank, Morgan Stanley and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (led by Lucy Gillett and James Howe). Kantar is advised by JP Morgan and Jefferies & Company, according to press releases.
Qualitas Energy, a global investment and management platform focused on renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure investment, completed the acquisition of a 117 MWp solar portfolio in Poland from ib vogt, an international renewable energy development platform, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Qualitas Energy was advised by Ernst & Young, Linklaters and Barlovento. ib vogt was advised by DC Advisory (led by Tod Kersten), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
KKR, a global investment firm, agreed to acquire Dawsongroup, an independent asset leasing business which provides a diverse range of business-critical solutions, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Dawsongroup is advised by FTI Consulting (led by Richard Mountain). KKR is advised by FGS Global (led by Alastair Elwen), according to press releases.
KKR agreed to acquire a minority stake in Gulf Data Hub, one of the largest independent data center platforms in the Middle East. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to press releases.
Gulf Data Hub is advised by JP Morgan. KKR is advised by Jefferies & Company, according to MergerLinks data.
SKKY Partners, a private equity firm, completed the acquisition of the minority stake in 111SKIN, a skincare brand. Financial terms were not disclosed, according to press releases.
SKKY Partners was advised by Goldman Sachs and Raymond James, according to press releases.
TDR Capital, a private equity firm, agreed to acquire CorpAcq, a UK-based company specialising in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, for £1bn ($1.2bn).
TDR Capital is advised by Barclays, according to MergerLinks data.
Elm, a provider of innovative secure services & solutions to both public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, agreed to acquire Thiqah, a firm specializing in smart technology solutions for business services, from PIF, a private equity firm, for $907m, according to press releases.
Thiqah is advised by JP Morgan, according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
Chausson Matériaux to acquire France operations of Frans Bonhomme from Hayfin Capital Management.
Chausson Matériaux, an independent national construction material distribution company, agreed to acquire France operations of Frans Bonhomme, a provider of multi-channel distribution of materials and solutions for networks and infrastructures, from Hayfin Capital Management, an alternative asset management platform, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Chausson Matériaux is advised by Rothschild & Co, according to MergerLinks data.
BPCE, a banking group, and Generali, a global insurance and asset management provider, agreed to form a joint venture between the asset management operations Generali Investments and Natixis Investment Managers, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
BPCE is advised by Chiomenti (led by Filippo Modulo), according to to Mergerlinks data.
Volpi Capital, a pan-European B2B technology investor, completed the investment in Bluestar, an SaaS provider, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Bluestar was advised by ATRIUM Partners, according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
Adelis, a private equity firm, agreed to merge Crowe Osborne, Frejs Revisorer, RSM Göteborg and Qrev, four audit firms, according to press releases. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Carlyle Group explores potential sale of British fund network Calastone. ( Reuters)
Global investment firm The Carlyle Group is reportedly considering the sale of its British funds network and data business, Calastone. The firm has engaged bankers to explore this possibility, marking the latest development in a sector that has attracted significant investor interest.
Calastone, established in 2007, is recognized as the largest global funds network, connecting over 2.3k clients across 43 countries. The company processes approximately £200bn ($244bn) of investment value each month, offering automated order routing, settlement, dividend, and transfer services to asset and fund managers.
The Carlyle Group acquired a majority stake in Calastone in October 2020, aiming to support the company's growth and international expansion. At that time, Calastone's management retained a minority stake in the business.
Historically, The Carlyle Group has worked with JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Latham & Watkins and Kirkland & Ellis, according to MergerLinks data.
IK Partners considers €2bn sale of Kersia. ( Bloomberg)
Private equity firm IK Partners is exploring the sale of Kersia, a global leader in biosecurity and food safety solutions, with a potential valuation of approximately €2bn ($2.1bn).
The European buyout firm is working with Bank of America to gauge interest for the business. A formal sale process could kick off later this year.
Historically, IK Partners has worked with Ernst & Young, Rothschild & Co, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and White & Case, according to MergerLinks data.
Bain said to mull €1.5bn sale of chemicals firm Italmatch. ( Bloomberg)
Bain Capital is exploring a potential sale of Italmatch Chemicals, which could be valued at approximately €1.5bn ($1.6bn).
The US private equity firm is working with advisers to evaluate options for the Italian specialty chemicals company. Based in Genoa, Italmatch is likely to attract interest from both industry players and financial investors.
Historically, Bain Capital has worked with Kirkland & Ellis, Goldman Sachs, Stanton PRM and Ropes & Gray, according to MergerLinks data.
HongShan nears $1.1bn deal to acquire rock icon Marshall. ( Bloomberg)
HongShan Capital Group is close to finalizing a deal to acquire iconic audio equipment maker Marshall Group.
The transaction could value the Stockholm-based company, known for its guitar amplifiers used by legendary musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Lana Del Rey, at approximately $1.1bn. The founding Marshall family is expected to retain a partial stake in the business as part of the deal.
Historically, HongShan Capital has worked with Fangda Partners, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Linklaters, according to MergerLinks data.
Bankers pitch up to €1bn debt for buyout of Karo Healthcare sale. (Bloomberg)
Banks are offering around €1bn ($1.05bn) in debt packages to support a potential buyout of Karo Healthcare.
EQT, the private equity firm that owns the Swedish consumer-health company, is collaborating with Jefferies Financial Group and Morgan Stanley on a potential sale. The proposed €1bn ($1.05bn) in debt financing represents approximately five times Karo's €200m ($208m) in earnings.
Davidson Kempner to sell Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels in Portugal. ( Bloomberg)
Davidson Kempner Capital Management, a global institutional alternative asset management firm, is reportedly planning to sell a portfolio of Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels located in Portugal. The decision aligns with the firm's strategy to optimize its investment portfolio and capitalize on favorable market conditions.
Davidson Kempner is seeking about $51m for the Hilton Hotel, which has 194 rooms, and about $41m for the Holiday Inn, which has 287 rooms and apartments. The two properties are located in Vila Nova de Gaia, near the coastal city of Porto. Property broker Jones Lang LaSalle is advising Davidson Kempner on the sale.
The portfolio includes several prominent properties operating under the Hilton and Holiday Inn brands, which are well-established in the Portuguese hospitality market. The sale is expected to attract interest from various investors, including real estate investment trusts, private equity firms, and international hotel operators seeking to expand their presence in Southern Europe.
Historically, Davidson Kempner has worked with Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance, according to MergerLinks data.
Prosus CEO Bloisi has $20bn, is ready to spend in Europe. ( Bloomberg)
Prosus CEO Fabricio Bloisi stated that the technology investor has nearly $20bn available for investments and is prepared to expand its presence in Europe.
Bloisi oversees both Amsterdam-based Prosus and its South African parent company, Naspers, which already hold substantial stakes in European firms, including Germany's Delivery Hero. However, recent deals have primarily focused on higher-growth markets, such as an initial public offering in India and a $1.7bn acquisition of a travel agency in Brazil.
Ontario Teachers’ CEO sees chance to snap Up cheap European assets. ( Bloomberg)
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is shifting its focus toward European markets while many other investors concentrate on the US, according to its CEO.
“A lot of the Americans at the moment are actually saying, ‘I only want to be in the US.’ To me, that’s great news — I’ll just fill my boots in Europe,” Jo Taylor, OTPP CEO.
Permira, Blackstone weigh multi-billion-euro Mobile.de IPO. ( Reuters)
Buyout firms Permira and Blackstone are considering a multi-billion-euro initial public offering of German online auto marketplace Mobile.de.
Mobile.de is a subsidiary of Norway's Adevinta, which was taken private in 2023 through a €13.6bn buyout led by the two private equity firms. Discussions with advisers are underway about a potential listing in 2026. The company could be valued at up to €10bn ($10.4bn).
Ardian, a private investment house, announced the successful raise of €3.2bn ($3.3bn) for its sixth-generation Expansion Fund, Ardian Expansion Fund VI.
Aligned with Expansion’s strategy, AEF VI aims to support high-growth industry leaders through equity investments ranging from €50m ($52m) to €300m ($310m), targeting private mid-sized businesses led by committed and visionary entrepreneurs.
Bain Capital names new new co-head of European private equity. ( Bloomberg)
Bain Capital promoted Ivano Sessa to co-head its European private equity operations, as part of a leadership reshuffle in the region. The 47-year-old Italian executive will lead the business alongside Stuart Gent.
The move underscores Bain Capital’s commitment to strengthening its leadership as it navigates opportunities and challenges across European markets.
APAC
Bain Capital matched an offer from CC Capital Partners for Insignia Financial at A$4.60 ($2.89) a share, as the bidding frenzy for the Australian wealth management firm heated up. Insignia is at about A$3.1bn ($1.9bn), according to press releases.
Insignia is advised by Citigroup, Gresham and King & Wood Mallesons. Bain Capital is advised by FTI Consulting (led by Stuart Carson), according to Mergerlinks data and press releases.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group chooses Bain Capital for pharma unit sale. ( Nikkei)
Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical Group has selected US investment fund Bain Capital as the preferred bidder for its pharmaceutical subsidiary, Tanabe Mitsubishi Pharma, in a deal potentially exceeding $3bn.
The sale of Tanabe Mitsubishi Pharma is expected to be valued at over $3.2bn. The move signals Mitsubishi Chemical Group's strategic effort to streamline its portfolio, focusing on core business areas while divesting its pharmaceutical interests.
Historically, Bain Capital has worked with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Kirkland & Ellis and Ropes & Gray, according to MergerLinks data.
Advent nears buying Ginko's Chinese business. ( Bloomberg)
Private equity firm Advent International is reportedly close to a deal to acquire the Chinese operations of contact lens manufacturer Ginko International from EQT-owned BPEA. The transaction could value the unit at approximately $1.1bn.
Founded in 2007 and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2009, Ginko International was acquired by BPEA in 2022. The pending sale reflects continued interest in China’s growing healthcare and consumer sectors.
Major shareholder excluded in Korea Zinc shareholders' meeting amid takeover battle. ( Reuters)
Korea Zinc held a special shareholders' meeting on January 23 to elect new board members, marking the latest development in a contentious four-month takeover battle for the world’s leading refined zinc producer.
During the meeting, which was delayed by several hours, Korea Zinc’s management declared that its rival and major shareholder Young Poong did not have voting rights. This announcement sparked objections from representatives of Young Poong and its takeover partner, private equity firm MBK Partners.
Historically, MBK Partners has worked with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Morgan Stanley, White & Case and Goldman Sachs, according to MergerLinks data.
Northstar Group, one of Southeast Asia’s longest-established private equity firms, is in discussions to sell its business to Ares Management.
This development underscores Ares Management’s ongoing expansion into Asia’s private equity market, leveraging Northstar’s deep regional expertise. Talks remain at an early stage.
Historically, Ares Management has worked with Goldman Sachs, Latham & Watkins and Brunswick Group, according to MergerLinks data.
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