GPCA covers the latest fund, investment and industry news across our markets in two newsletters: NewsWatch is a weekly round-up of key transactions across asset classes; the Global Tech Brief is a bi-weekly review of tech transactions and innovations with cross-border applications. Subscribe in the left-hand sidebar.
Access past editions of NewsWatch here.
GP Investments Announces the Creation of BR Towers (Latin America)
Brazil-based alternative asset investment firm GP Investments will acquire approximately 2,000 mobile telephone towers from an unnamed Brazilian telecom operator for BRL503 million (approximately US$250 million). The towers will be operated by a newly created tower management company, BR Towers. The investment will be made through GP Investments’ private equity fund GP Capital Partners V, with a total capital commitment… Read More
J.P. Morgan, London Fund Invest US$20 Million in Dubai E-Commerce Firm (MENA)
Middle East and Africa-focused investment firm Blakeney Management and J. P. Morgan Asset Management, the asset management arm of JPMorgan Chase, have invested over US$20 million into the United Arab Emirates-based online shopping service Namshi. Namshi sells designer clothing, shoes and accessories from over 400 international brands to customers in the Gulf region. Namshi will use the investment to expand… Read More
Norfund Invests US$10 Million in the Agricultural Business of Chayton Atlas (Sub-Saharan Africa)
The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) has invested US$10 million in Chayton Atlas Investments (Chayton), a company that develops and operates farms in Zambia and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Norfund’s investment will be used to expand the operations of Chayton, including through investments in additional farms or businesses providing grain drying, storage, processing and distribution services. The… Read More
Enterprise Investors to Finance Development of Radiotherapy Center (CEE and CIS)
Polish private equity firm Enterprise Investors (EI) will acquire 100 percent of Poland’s Center for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy (CDiTO) from Voxel, an operator of diagnostic medical centers and a manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals in Poland, for EUR14.5 million (approximately US$18.8 million). CDiTO is currently building a new radiotherapy center at a clinical hospital of the Medical University of Silesia. EI… Read More
Euroventures Invests in Tresorit (CEE and CIS)
Hungary-based private equity and venture capital firm Euroventures and nine private investors have invested HUF380 million (approximately US$1.7 million) in Hungarian software company Tresorit through its Euroventures IV Venture Capital Fund. Tresorit is developing encryption software for cloud-based file sharing. Euroventures IV Venture Capital Fund is a HUF7.1 billion (approximately US$32.5 million) fund supported by the European Union’s JEREMIE program… Read More
OPIC Board Approves US$135 Million for Two Investment Funds for India (Asia)
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has approved US$135 million in financing for two India-focused investment funds supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industrial logistics parks. OPIC approved US$35 million for the BanyanTree Growth Capital II fund, an SME-focused private equity fund managed by India-headquartered BanyanTree Capital Advisors, which is targeting US$175 million in total commitments. OPIC also approved… Read More
Actis Invests in Chinese Casual Dining Chain Bellagio (Asia)
Global emerging markets investor Actis has invested in Chinese restaurant chain Bellagio. Bellagio specializes in Taiwanese-style cuisine and currently operates 35 restaurants in mainland China, Macau and the Philippines. Actis’s investment will be used to expand Bellagio’s presence in China’s top-tier and second-tier cities. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
TA Associates Completes Buyout of SpeedCast (Asia)
Global growth private equity firm TA Associates has completed the buyout of SpeedCast, a Hong Kong-based global network and satellite communications provider, from Asia Satellite Telecommunications. Speedcast provides very small aperture terminal satellite-based broadband access services, managed networking solutions and value-added services to customers in over 30 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. According to a Hong Kong… Read More
Navis Completes Acquisition of BIG Cinemas in Malaysia and Merges BIG Cinemas with MBO Cinemas (Asia)
Asia-focused private equity firm Navis Capital Partners has announced the acquisition of BIG Cinemas, a Malaysian operator of movie theaters, from Indian entertainment company Reliance MediaWorks. Navis merged BIG Cinemas with MBO Cinemas, a company it acquired in April 2012, to form a cinema chain operating 165 screens across 24 theaters. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
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