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Newly Formed Redpoint e.ventures Announces Its First Brazilian Deal (Latin America)
Redpoint e.ventures, the Brazil-focused joint venture between global venture capital firms Redpoint Ventures and e.ventures, has invested in the Series A round of Minuto Seguros, a Brazilian online insurance broker. Minuto Seguros offers insurance products for individuals and businesses in 500 Brazilian cities. Redpoint e.ventures closed its first Brazil-focused venture capital fund with US$130 million in commitments in July 2012. Read More
Mahindra and LeapFrog in Strategic Partnership to Design and Deliver Insurance Solutions to Millions in Rural India (Asia)
LeapFrog Investments, a U.S.-based impact investment firm focused on insurance and related financial services, has announced a strategic partnership with Mahindra Insurance Brokers (MIBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian finance group Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services. Under the terms of the partnership, LeapFrog has invested approximately US$15 million for a 15 percent stake in MIBL. MIBL plans to use… Read More
The Carlyle Group Signs an Agreement to Acquire a Significant Minority Stake in Penti (CEE and CIS)
Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has announced an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Turkish hosiery manufacturer and retailer Penti. The equity for the investment will come from Carlyle MENA Partners, a US$500 million private equity fund focused on the MENA region. Carlyle plans to invest in enhancing the resources and facilities for Penti’s customers. Financial terms… Read More
EMX Capital Takes Majority Equity Stake in AG Convertidora (Latin America)
Mexican private equity firm EMX Capital has acquired a majority stake in AG Convertidora, a Mexican manufacturer of flexible packaging. AG Convertidora will use the investment for working capital needs, as well as to acquire additional equipment, develop its product line and strengthen its client relationships. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Alibaba Closes US$7.6 Billion Share Repurchase and Restructuring of Yahoo! Relationship (Asia)
Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding has announced the completion of its initial US$7.6 billion share repurchase from Yahoo!. Yahoo! received US$6.3 billion in cash, US$800 million worth of preferential shares in Alibaba and US$550 million in connection with the amendment to their intellectual property and technology agreement in exchange for 20 percent of Alibaba’s shares, representing half of Alibaba’s… Read More
AfDB Injects US$7 Million Equity into Pan African Housing Fund to Increase Access to Housing in African Cities (Sub-Saharan Africa)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has invested US$7 million in the Pan African Housing Fund (PAHF), an Africa-focused fund managed by private equity fund manager Phatisa Group. The fund will invest in lower-middle and middle class residential housing in African urban areas. Shelter-Afrique, an African housing finance and development institution established by African governments, the AfDB, Africa-Reinsurance Co. and CDC… Read More
IDFC Alternatives Invests US$29 Million in Parag Dairy; Motilal Oswal Private Equity Makes Partial Exit (Asia)
IDFC Private Equity, the private equity arm of Indian alternative asset manager IDFC Alternatives, has invested INR1.55 billion (approximately US$28.8 million) in Indian milk producer Parag Milk Foods through IDFC Private Equity Fund III. Existing investor Motilal Oswal Private Equity, the private equity arm of Indian financial services company Motilal Oswal Financial Services, partially exited its stake as part of… Read More
EBRD Launches First Investments in Emerging Arab Democracies (MENA)
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced its first investments in Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. The EBRD has committed EUR20 million (approximately US$26.2 million) to the Maghreb Private Equity Fund III, a North Africa-focused private equity fund managed by Tunisia-based AfricInvest-TunInvest Group, which is targeting EUR200 million (approximately US$262.4 million) in total commitments. The EBRD has also… Read More
H.I.G Capital Acquires Cel Lep, an Educational Company in Brazil (Latin America)
U.S.-based private investment firm H.I.G. Capital has acquired Cel Lep Idiomas (Cel Lep), a Brazilian English language teaching company. Cel Lep owns 17 schools and operates an additional four in the Brazilian states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Read More
Yemeksepeti.com Partners with Global Growth Investor General Atlantic (CEE and CIS)
Global growth equity investor General Atlantic has invested US$44 million in Turkish online food ordering service provider Yemeksepeti.com for a minority stake. Endeavor Catalyst, a philanthropic investment vehicle supporting entrepreneurs in global markets, also participated in the investment. Yemeksepeti.com allows its 1.5 million registered users in both Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to order from over 6,500 restaurants in… Read More
Brazil’s Gávea Buys Stake in Accessories Retailer Chilli Beans (Latin America)
Gávea Investimentos, a Brazilian asset management company, has purchased a 29.8 percent stake in Chilli Beans, a local retailer of accessories such as sunglasses. Gávea will be accorded a seat on the company’s board of directors, while Chilli Beans founder Caito Maia will remain head of the company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
CVCI Achieves 2x Return on Chinfon Vietnam Exit (Asia)
Global emerging markets private equity firm Citi Venture Capital International (CVCI Private Equity) has exited its stake in Chinfon Vietnam, a Vietnamese cement manufacturer. CVCI sold its stake, which it originally acquired in 2008, through a strategic sale to an undisclosed investor, reportedly generating a return multiple of 2x. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More