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VTB Capital to Exit Vivacom to BC Partners-Backed United Group in USD1.3 Billion Acquisition

VTB Capital, the investment arm of Russia-based VTB Bank, has agreed to exit its stake in Bulgaria-based telecommunications operator Vivacom to United Group, a Netherlands-based media company operating in countries of the former Yugoslavia and owned by Europe-focused private equity firm BC Partners. United Group will acquire Vivacom for a reported EUR1.2 billion (approximately USD1.3 billion). VTB Capital secured a… Read More

Global Founders Capital, Wamda Capital, and Arbor Ventures Invest USD2 Million in Tabby

Global seed- and growth-stage venture capital investor Global Founders Capital has led a USD2 million seed investment in Tabby, a UAE-based consumer finance platform. Other participants in the round include venture capital fund managers Wamda Capital and Arbor Ventures. The company, which allows consumers to purchase goods online and pay for them at a later date in multiple installments, will… Read More

Lori Secures USD30 Million in Series A Round Led by Hillhouse and Crystal Stream

Kenya-based logistics platform Lori Systems has completed its Series A funding round led by China-focused private capital fund managers Hillhouse Capital and Crystal Stream Ventures. Other investors in the round, which was reportedly valued at approximately USD30 million, include investment firms Apoletto Asia, EchoVC Partners, Timon Capital, Raba VC, and Endeavor Catalyst, as well as individual investors Ryan Peterson and… Read More

Avallon Agrees to Acquire Majority Stake in Clovin

Central Europe-focused private equity fund manager Avallon has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Clovin, a Poland-based washing products producer. Avallon will support Clovin’s ongoing investment program and lend strategic support for acquisitions, the production of innovative and ecological products, and expansion of the company’s international footprint. Financial details of the transaction, which is pending regulatory approval, have not… Read More

Eastern Bell Reaches USD365 Million Final Close for Debut USD-Denominated Fund

China-focused venture capital fund manager Eastern Bell Venture Capital has reached a final close for its debut USD-denominated fund with USD365 million in commitments. Investors in the fund include international sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, funds of funds, family offices, and corporate investors. The fund will focus on logistics and supply-chain upgrades, specifically targeting variable interest entity (VIE)-structured companies. Read More

LeapFrog Invests USD3 Million in Goodlife Pharmacy

Emerging markets specialist private equity fund manager LeapFrog Investments has reportedly invested a further KES309 million (approximately USD3 million) in Kenya-based retail pharmacy chain Goodlife Pharmacy. The company operates across 52 locations in Kenya and five in Uganda, providing pharmacy, wellness, beauty, and diagnostics services. The new capital from LeapFrog, which acquired its stake from Catalyst Principal Partners in 2016,… Read More

Axian and ECP Acquire 51 Percent Stake in Togocom

A consortium composed of Madagascar-based conglomerate Axian Group and pan-African private equity fund manager Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) has acquired a 51 percent stake in Togo-based government-owned telecommunications company Togocom at an enterprise value of XOF210 billion (approximately USD355 million). The consortium will reportedly invest EUR245 million (USD271 million) in Togocom over seven years to improve the company’s international connectivity… Read More

IAN Reaches USD53 Million Final Close for First Venture Capital Fund

India-focused angel investment group Indian Angel Network (IAN) has reached a final close for its first venture capital fund with INR3.75 billion (approximately USD52 million) in commitments. Investors in the fund include Small Industries Development Bank of India, IIFL Holdings, Yes Bank, Max India, Gray Matters Capital, and Hyundai. Other participants include individual investors Kris Gopalakrishnan, Sunil Munjal, Rajan Anandan,… Read More

Peijia Secures USD100 Million in Series C Financing from Lilly Asia, Matrix, and Others

China-based medical instrument producer Peijia Medical has secured CNY700 million (approximately USD100 million) in a Series C funding round from China-focused fund managers Lilly Asia Ventures and Matrix Partners China. Other investors include Far East Horizon’s investment arm Grand Flight Investment and state-owned investment firms China Chengtong Asset Management and SDIC Fund Management. The company, which produces heart-valve disease treatment… Read More

L Catterton Invests in OdontoCompany

Global consumer-focused private equity fund manager L Catterton has invested in Brazil-based dental clinic franchise OdontoCompany. The company, which operates in all 27 Brazilian states and serves approximately 800,000 patients each year, will partner with L Catterton to accelerate its growth and expansion. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Bloomage Biotechnology Raises USD337 Million in IPO

China-based hyaluronic acid producer Bloomage Biotechnology has raised CNY2.4 billion (approximatelyUSD337 million) in its initial public offering (IPO) on the Shanghai Stock Exchange Star Market. The company sold approximately 50 million shares at CNY47.79 (USD6.80) per share. Bloomage is backed by China-focused growth capital investor Redview Capital, which did not dispose of any shares in the IPO. Read More

Ezdehar Sells 30 Percent Stake in AluNile to Ekuity

Egypt-focused private equity fund manager Ezdehar Management has partially exited Egypt-based aluminum and glass fabricator AluNile to Ekuity Holding, an Egypt-based investment holding company wholly owned by the Kuwait Investment Authority, disposing of a 30 percent stake. AluNile designs, manufactures, and installs curtain walls, doors, window frames, facades, and processed flat glass. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More