Capital Dynamics, an independent global asset management firm, has announced the completion of the acquisition of Advanced Capital SGR, a leading alternative asset and fund-of-funds manager based in Milan, Italy. The transaction was first announced in July 2018 and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Advanced Capital SGR, founded in 2004, currently manages generalist private equity as well as real estate and energy fund-of-funds.

Martin Hahn, CEO of Capital Dynamics, said: “The acquisition of Advanced Capital accelerates our international growth strategy by expanding our geographic footprint in Europe. We are looking forward to offering our private equity, private credit, clean energy infrastructure and energy infrastructure credit funds and tailored investment solutions to a wider pool of Italian investors. Now that the transaction has closed, we are excited to welcome the existing Advanced Capital investors and our new Milan colleagues to Capital Dynamics.”

Robert Berlé, CEO of Advanced Capital, adds: “I am delighted that the Milan team will become part of Capital Dynamics and enthusiastic about working with Capital Dynamics’ global team to develop exciting investment opportunities for the Italian market.“

Advanced Capital will be fully integrated into the Capital Dynamics platform, which will involve changing its name to Capital Dynamics SGR. Robert Berlé will continue to lead the Italian business as CEO and Managing Director of Capital Dynamics SGR.

Source: Capital Dynamics Press Release

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The investment fund Accent Equity 2012 L.P. and minority shareholders have agreed to divest 100% of the shares in Nordic Traction to AB Max Sievert, a long-term focused investor in Nordic based companies. As part of the transaction, the minority shareholders will be reinvesting into the company together with its new owner.

Nordic Traction, founded in 1886, is a leading manufacturer of bespoke vehicle traction aids, which are used for a wide range of vehicle types operating in harsh environments primarily in the forestry sector. The company operates from two manufacturing sites based in Loimaa, Finland, and Dumfries, Scotland (UK), from where it supplies its products directly to OEMs and other distribution channels in over 30 countries worldwide. The company employs over 110 people and is headquartered in Loimaa, Finland.

“Since the carve-out from Gunnebo Industries AB three years ago, the management team has successfully implemented several strategic initiatives and, at the same time, prepared the company and the organization for continued growth. We wish the team every success as they continue their growth journey with AB Max Sievert.”, says Daniel Winberg, Partner at Accent Equity Partners AB, advisor to Accent Equity.

“Accent Equity has been a highly supportive partner and a driving force to help Nordic Traction build a stronger platform for future growth and continued great customer service. I now look forward to the next stage of the company’s journey and working with AB Max Sievert to continue to build an international leader in traction products and reach our latest set of goals and objectives,” says Tero Järvinen, CEO at Nordic Traction Group AB.

The transaction is expected to be completed on 13 December 2018.

Stephens Europe (M&A), Mannheimer Swartling (legal) and KPMG (financial due diligence) assisted Accent Equity in connection with the transaction.

Source: Accent Equity Press Release

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Inflexion Private Equity has announced it has completed the buyout of MYCOM OSI, a market leading provider of service assurance software to global telecommunication companies. This investment was made by Inflexion Buyout Fund V, Inflexion Private Equity Partners’ dedicated mid market buyout fund.

MYCOM OSI supports telecommunications companies with software solutions that assure network and service quality and performance for optimal customer experience. It provides the first service assurance solution run from the cloud and using a subscription model that has been commercially deployed at scale. With headquarters in the UK, the company employs over 250 people globally with clients including Deutsche Telekom, Safaricom, Saudi Telecom, Telefónica, Three UK, Telenor, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone.

The business is poised for significant future growth as telecommunications companies transform to offer new digital, IoT and 5G services whilst adopting automated solutions to reduce operational costs. MYCOM OSI is well positioned as it leads the industry with its cloud-based automated assurance solution enhanced with AI/Machine Learning.

Simon Turner, Managing Partner of Inflexion, commented, “The team at MYCOM OSI have built up an excellent global client base and designed their technology and the company to address the global trend of digital transformation that is underway. With our support, the firm plans to continue to evolve their offering and expand their global footprint. We look forward to working together to continue to grow this exciting business.”

Dr Payam Taaghol, CEO at MYCOM OSI, commented, “We’ve had a great journey through several telecom generations, and have now transformed our company in to a leadership position for the next digital era based on IoT, 5G, automation and AI.. We are confident Inflexion’s international footprint combined with their strong digital skills make them an excellent partner for us as we embark on our next stage of growth.”

President and CTO of MYCOM OSI, Mounir Ladki added “We anticipated the telecoms industry’s transformation towards on-demand digital services using IoT and 5G and have rebuilt our portfolio in preparation using the very latest cloud-based technologies. As this transformation gathers pace, Inflexion’s first-class support will allow us to accelerate our roadmap plans to further embed automation and AI to deliver the brain behind the self-driving network.”

Inflexion is acquiring Clearlake Capital-backed MYCOM OSI from Founder and Chairman Siamak Sarbaz and management, with senior management continuing to manage the company in partnership with Inflexion.

Source: Inflexion Private Equity Press Release

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ZEDRA Group, the global specialist in trust, corporate and fund services, has announced that Corsair Capital LLC, one of the longest-standing private equity firms focused on the financial services industry, has made a majority investment in ZEDRA.  Corsair has a long and successful track record of growing financial services firms across a diverse range of sectors, and its partnership with ZEDRA will support the firm’s continued growth and global expansion.

ZEDRA’s network covers 13 jurisdictions across 15 offices in Asia, Oceania, the Americas and Europe. Its team of nearly 500 industry experts creates and delivers bespoke trust, corporate and fund services solutions to clients, including high-net-worth individuals and their families, international corporations, institutional investors and entrepreneurs.  Under the terms of the agreement, Corsair will acquire the majority of the equity holdings from ZEDRA’s current owners, the Nielsen and Sarikhani families.

At the close of the transaction, which is expected in 2019, Bart Deconinck, currently Group Deputy Chairman, will become Group Executive Chairman.

Mr. Deconinck said, “Corsair’s investment and support is a strong endorsement of ZEDRA’s differentiated value proposition, blue-chip client base, and long-term prospects. Since our acquisition of Barclays’ offshore and onshore trust businesses a little over two years ago, ZEDRA has grown rapidly, building and strengthening our reputation for innovative and independent thinking. With Corsair’s partnership and operational support, we will be able to build on these foundations, while continuing to provide our clients with the service and solutions they have come to expect from ZEDRA. The stewardship of Niels Nielsen and the support of Ali Sarikhani has been an important factor in our growth and I would like to thank them for their invaluable support.”

Raja Hadji-Touma, Managing Director at Corsair Capital added, “We’re delighted to announce this investment in ZEDRA. The business is growing strongly and operates in a sector which remains fragmented, offering exciting acquisition opportunities of independent businesses and bank-owned trust subsidiaries. We’re backing an ambitious management team, led by Bart Deconinck, with a proven track record of building leading companies in the sector. We look forward to bringing together our capabilities at Corsair with the deep specialist knowledge at ZEDRA to continue delivering an exceptional service in the trust, corporate and fund services industry to clients around the world.”

Derrick Estes, Managing Director at Corsair Capital said, “ZEDRA is a unique firm with unparalleled capabilities in the trust, corporate and fund services space. We believe our strategic investment, deep financial services expertise and global network will be critical as ZEDRA continues its rapid growth. We look forward to working with the team to support this exciting next phase of ZEDRA’s development.”

Niels Nielsen, ZEDRA Group Chief Executive Officer said, “I am tremendously proud of what we have achieved in the past three years and I am equally optimistic about the future of ZEDRA. Our new strategic partnership with Corsair creates opportunities for significant development, and Corsair’s extensive knowledge and experience in the sector will be invaluable to the team and clients. This is a milestone for ZEDRA, and I personally would like to thank the management team and staff for their hard work and dedication over many years and wish them all the best in the future.”

The deal remains provisional, pending full regulatory approval. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Source: ZEDRA Group Press Release

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Mediolanum Farmaceutici, a pharmaceutical company founded by the Del Bono family and now one of the most prominent players in the Italian cardiovascular market, has selected Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, as its strategic partner to further build its presence in Italy and continue the international growth plan of its subsidiary Neopharmed Gentili.

Under the agreement, Ardian will acquire a majority stake in Neopharmed Gentili, which focuses on therapeutic products. Mediolanum Farmaceutici, which was founded in 1972, will retain a minority stake. Alessandro Del Bono will become Chairman and CEO of the company, which is headquartered in Milan.

Neopharmed Gentili S.p.A. comprises the brands of the Mediolanum Farmaceutici Group, which are all dedicated to the development, production and marketing of high value therapeutic products in the vascular, cardio-metabolic, respiratory, antibiotic and over-the-counter drug markets in Italy.

With a strong, high-quality sales network, combined with sector expertise and well-established industry relationships, Neopharmed Gentili recorded sales of €192 million in 2017. Neopharmed Gentili is a well-recognized pharmaceutical brand in the sector, particularly in several specialized therapeutic areas. It is a reliable, specialized partner of many large pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and Teva for which it distributes and supplies some licensed products.

The acquisitions carried out by Neopharmed Gentili have to date allowed the company to significantly increase its market share, its product range offer and to strengthen its top-line, while expanding its share of proprietary products.

Alessandro Del Bono, Chairman and CEO of Neopharmed Gentili, said: “The aim of Neopharmed Gentili is to become an increasingly competitive player in the pharmaceutical sector, oriented towards growth, international expansion and value creation. We have chosen to share this project with Ardian, the leading private equity player in Europe and the third largest in the world. The deal will allow the company to accelerate its development and to target new acquisitions, strengthening its presence in strategic areas of the pharmaceutical sector, and, last but not least, to protect employment in our country”.

Nicolò Saidelli, Managing Director and Head of Ardian in Italy, added: “We are proud that the Del Bono family has chosen Ardian as their partner for the development of Neopharmed Gentili, which represents an example of Italian entrepreneurial excellence combined with strong growth opportunities. Today Neopharmed Gentili is well-known within the Italian pharmaceutical industry and is ready to begin expanding internationally, through important partnerships with global players such as Merck and Teva Pharmaceutical. We are pleased to support the Del Bono family in this new challenge and we will do it with passion, thanks to the experience and skills that distinguish Ardian and the many development projects already followed in Italy together with entrepreneurs and managers at the head of family businesses.”

Source: Ardian Press Release

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The Riverside Company has signed a definitive agreement to sell its investment in Euromed Botanicals S.A. (Euromed) to Dermapharm Holding SE (ISIN: DE000A2GS5D8). Barcelona-based Euromed provides standardized herbal extracts and natural active substances for the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement and cosmetic industries. The transaction is expected to close in the next few months upon receipt of antitrust approval.

Riverside invested in the company back in 2015. Euromed processes more than 5,000 tons of raw materials every year to produce high-quality extracts to meet the needs of more than 300 customers in 35 countries worldwide.

“Euromed’s already-premier brand and quality product offering were extremely appealing during our initial investment,” said Riverside Partner Karsten Langer. “Working with a strong management team, we were able to help Euromed’s sales grow at a CAGR in excess of 16% and increase earnings by two times under Riverside’s ownership.”

During Riverside’s investment, Euromed acquired ProbelteBio as an add-on, enhancing production capacity by approximately 30% and providing complementary products to the portfolio of dietary supplements and functional food ingredients. The add-on created significant value and the necessary production capacity to sustain growth for the future.

“Euromed presented us with an exciting opportunity to expand its portfolio by adding new processes and best practices – especially as it relates to R&D and new product development,” said Riverside Partner Rafael Álvarez-Novoa. “We built a new R&D center at the Euromed headquarters with latest lab equipment to help implement a structured product development process, allowing the sales team to present customers with new opportunities, constantly seeking to develop innovative products and applications for the extracts that they already commercialize, and to develop new extracts.”

“It has been a wonderful journey with The Riverside Company,” said Javier Roig, CEO of Euromed. “We’ve come so far in just three years achieving so many strategic initiatives, including the add-on investment and the launching of the Innovation Centre. Now starts another exciting chapter for our team and business.”

Working with Langer and Álvarez-Novoa on the deal for Riverside were Principal Damien Gaudin, Associate Michele Volpe and Senior Operating Executive Juan Rufilanchas.

Allen & Overy provided legal counsel on the transaction for Riverside; EY advised on financial and tax due diligence. Rothschild and Fidentiis served as M&A financial advisors.

P+P and Araoz y Rueda provided legal counsel on the transaction for Dermapharm AG; Deloitte advised on financial due diligence. Ferber & Co. served as M&A financial advisors.

Source : Riverside Capital Press Release

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After two years of exponential growth, MIOassicuratore closed a 1,5 million euro capital increase, in an investment round led by Innogest Capital with the participation of Pi Campus.

MioAssicuratore was born from the intuition of Giorgio Campagnano, whose family has been active in the insurance market for five generations. Back to Italy from New York, where he studied and worked, in 2015 Campagnano created a platform that, unlike preexistings in the Italian market, is able to calculate personalized estimates in real time, accelerating the acquisition process and reducing the distance between customers and insurance companies. The technological soul of the company is Carlo Martini, another founder of the Company.

MioAssicuratore is the only web platform able to calculate instantaneous estimates for any type of insurance of all the partner companies, not limited to simple comparison, differentiating itself for the direct online sale approach. Thanks to proprietary algorithms, the service analyzes the most adeguate combinations of covers and insurance needs, selecting the combinations closer to the specific profile. In addition to the insurance brokerage service, the startup offers to its customers a personal management service for insurance contracts, helping them to remember the deadlines of their policies and to archive documents.

According to CEO Campagnano, «this investment is a milestone and an indispensable tool to meet the challenge of the national insurance market. Over the next few months, the goal is to bring MioAssicuratore to become a leader in the Italian market in the sale of non-life insurance, through the development of machine learning technologies and new approaches to customer needs and tailor-made offers for every kind of request».

The startup is located in Rome’s Pi Campus and has concluded agreements with over 35 insurance companies offering more than 120 different types of insurance. Through its website, MIOassicuratore hosts 240.000 registered users and increased its average monthly policies sale up to 20% between 2017 and 2018, thanks to the first investment round closed in 2016 with H-FARM and Pi Campus.

With this new round led by Innogest, MioAssicuratore starts a new path that begins with the restyling of the logo and the website (online today), aiming to improve user experience and to drive the user in an easier choice between insurance coverages that suit his profile.

«The user experience is fundamental: the user who is able to understand by himself the policy terms become a satisfied and loyal user», says Giorgio Campagnano. «Insurance and financial services market is undergoing deep transformations: MioAssicuratore contributes to this powerful change in consumer behavior investing in technological innovation and developing new distribution models for insurance offers».

Stefano Molino, Partner at Innogest Capital, commented: «We are very happy to have completed this operation and to be able to drive Giorgio, Carlo and their team in this new phase of development. The insurance market is going through a very important phase of disruption of business models related to digital technologies and online channels. MioAssicuratore is optimally positioned to take on the challenge of transition towards the online insurance market. In particular, we believe that the focus on optimizing the user experience and the technology developed for the calculation of completely online personalized estimates are key to guaranteeing the best product to the customer».

Source: Innogest Capital Press Release

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Funds advised by Gilde Buy Out Partners has announced the acquisition of Gundlach Automotive Corporation together with management from companies controlled by Pon Holdings B.V. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

GAC is a leading aftermarket distributor of tires, rims, completely fitted wheels and related services to car dealerships and wholesalers in Germany as well as wheel assembly services to blue-chip car OEMs in Europe. The Group was formed under the successful leadership of the senior management team of Reifen Gundlach to form a leading European platform in 2017. GAC now encompasses Reifen Gundlach (a leading brand for premium tire and wheel distribution for over 45 years), PTG Automotive Solutions and Services (just-in-sequence wheel assembly for car OEM production), RG Automotive Solutions (winter wheel assembly services for OEM brands) as well as Euro Tyre (global tire purchasing organization) and Goodwheel (eCommerce tire platform). Operations are based in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Commenting on the transaction Gebhard Jansen, CEO of GAC, says: “We thank Pon for the fruitful cooperation under their period of ownership and we are proud of the over 650 employees to be part of our Group and with whom we look forward to jointly enter a new chapter in our success story. With Gilde we found a strong partner to continue and accelerate our growth strategy to become the leading player in the tire and wheel distribution market.”

Rogier Engelsma, Partner at Gilde, added: “GAC represents a very attractive opportunity for us to invest in a leading player in the European tire and wheel distribution market. We are impressed with the Group’s track record of consistent growth and its unique set up to serve multiple levels within the supply chain. GAC is in an excellent position to further build on this solid foundation and to become the number 1 integrated player in the European tire and wheel distribution business. We are excited to support GAC during this next phase of development.”

Source: Gilde Buy Out Partners Press Release

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Rozetka, the leading online e-commerce retailer in Ukraine and EVO, the internet company behind the country’s largest marketplace Prom.ua, have completed a merger, cementing their top position in Ukraine’s fast-growing e-commerce segment of the retail market. The combined Rozetka-EVO platform has 2 billion site visits and facilitates 30 million e-commerce transactions per year over four geographies. Rozetka and Prom consistently rank among the top 10 most-visited websites in Ukraine, reaching over 40% of Ukraine’s internet audience. Ukraine’s e-commerce segment, growing at 26% compound annual growth rate in dollar terms for the past 3 years, is poised for further growth, with online accounting for circa 7% share of total retail in 2018 vs 15-20% share in mature markets. Their merger enables the united platform to expand its product offering, rapidly introduce innovative products and services and provide local SMEs with a superior internet marketplace experience in selling their goods and services online to a national audience.

“The synergies that this merger enables in logistics, IT infrastructure and cooperation with tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, will ensure we continue to be the platform-of-choice for Ukrainian consumers. Internet marketplace is an important growth driver for Rozetka and the merger with EVO provides strong momentum for further expansion of marketplace sales.  Ukrainian consumers are the clear winners with this merger, we look forward to continuing to delight our customers in the years ahead”, commented Vladyslav Chechotkin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rozetka.

“We have been working for over a decade on products and services that enable entrepreneurs to launch and develop their business easily on the Internet, while also giving buyers an opportunity to purchase a wide selection of goods at competitive prices. With this merger, we intend to bring even greater benefits by building a full-fledged ecosystem of online and offline services around the consumer“, said Mykola Paliienko, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EVO.

“We are pleased to conclude this landmark merger in Ukraine.  Our team has worked very closely with Rozetka founders, supporting major strategic projects including the acquisition of a 50,000 sqm state-of-the-art warehouse, an extensive automation project and now this unprecedented merger.  We are proud to be at the forefront of Ukraine’s economic transformation, building new champions in the region“, said Lenna Koszarny, Horizon Capital’s Founding Partner and CEO.

Source: Horizon Capital Press Release

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In collaboration with Main Capital, GOconnectIT expands its market leading position with the acquisition of Geodan van den Berg, provider of Geo-IT solutions for cable and pipeline operators. The combined entity makes it possible to establish a stronger connection between excavators and network operators in the field of underground cables and pipelines.

GOconnectIT, supplier of innovative and specialist software solutions for the infra sector, joins forces with Geodan van den Berg. Where GOconnectIT mainly focuses on the operational side of the excavators, Geodan van den Berg mainly focuses on network operators. By combining the knowledge and experience from both worlds, a party is created which can completely unburden its customers even better. Moreover, by facilitating and improving the information exchange between excavators and network operators, the chance of excavation damage can be further reduced.

Geodan van den Berg is the supplier of the self-developed WION System, with which they unburden more than 500 cable and pipeline operators in the field of the WION (‘Wet informatie-uitwisseling ondergrondse netten’) and the successor of that law, the WIBON. In addition, Geodan van den Berg supports, among other things, data management within the framework of the new legislation. Geodan van den Berg arose from a collaboration between construction company BAM Infra Telecom and Geo-IT service provider Geodan. Among the more than 500 network operators that are currently connected to the WION system are many municipalities, provinces, water boards and energy companies.

The products and services from GOconnectIT and Geodan van den Berg perfectly complement each other, and both respond to increasing laws and regulations in the field of underground cables and pipelines to prevent excavation damage.

Collaboration GOconnectIT – Geodan van den Berg

Edwin van Rooijen (Director GOconnectIT): “The acquisition allows us to serve the entire chain in the Klic-process, creating new opportunities in the area of data exchange between excavators and network operators. This fits perfectly in our ambition to reduce the number of excavation damages in the Netherlands.”

Theo Thewessen (Director van Geodan/Geodan van den Berg): “The Geo-IT solutions from Geodan van den Berg are a great foundation for serving the entire chain. As a partner, Geodan will be closely involved in the further development of innovative Geo-IT services in relation to the further digitization of the Klic-process.”

Jeroen Wijnen (Director van BAM Infra Telecom/Geodan van den Berg): “With the transition from Geodan van den Berg, the service to our customers is extended and secured for the future. We look forward to further cooperation with GOconnectIT, an excellent partner which is able to serve this market well.”

Source: Main Capital Press Release

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Main Capital has acquired a strategic stake in cleversoft, a Munich-based RegTech software specialist. With scalable SaaS solutions, cleversoft enables financial institutions to efficiently comply with the ever-increasing regulatory challenges in the financial industry.

 cleversoft was founded in 2004 and grew out to a leading software specialist in the RegTech market. With its 80 plus employee workforce, cleversoft helps financial institutions to efficiently comply with a growing number of complex regulations. The company supports globally-acting banks, asset managers and insurers to tackle regulatory challenges under regimes such as PRIIPs, MiFID II, PIB, FIDLEG and AML-regimes. The Services for these regulations are underpinned with lifecycle management solutions including customer relations (CRM) and marketing processes. The company currently serves over 200 international customers.

In recent years, financial institutions have been under increasing pressure to comply with more regulations with limited resources. It is expected that the multitude of financial regulation, its increasing complexity and the strong enforcement of financial authorities will increase the demand for smart regulatory solutions and spur growth of the RegTech market for the coming years.

 Under these market conditions, cleversoft aims to grow towards a market leading RegTech player in the European market through organic growth and a synergetic buy-and-build strategy. In addition to maintaining its strong growth trajectory, an explicit focus lies on smart add-on acquisitions in order to expand into adjacent market segments as well as to further internationalize.

Cooperation cleversoft – Main Capital

Florian Clever (Managing founder of cleversoft): “The RegTech market is accelerating under the increased pressure and complexity of regulation in the financial industry. At the same time, the market for smart regulatory solutions is underserved and extremely fragmented. We are excited that the cooperation with Main allows us to capitalize on these observations and to further expand our product offering through an add-on strategy. Their proven track-record in consolidation strategies and software expertise make them the ideal partner to support cleversoft in our next growth stage.

 Charly Zwemstra (Managing Partner Main Capital): “cleversoft has demonstrated an impressive profitable growth path over the last few years. The company offers highly-scalable regulatory reporting solutions for the financial industry. With its products, the company supports the financial industry to overcome the increasingly complex regulatory challenges. We see strong organic growth opportunities for cleversoft in this market. Moreover, through an active buy-and-build strategy, we see ample opportunities for cleversoft to expands its product offering and to enter adjacent market segments, both in Germany and abroad. Currently we are also invested in SecondFloor, an Amsterdam-based Regtech company with a focus on the insurance & pensions industry”.

Source: Main Capital Press Release

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In collaboration with Main Capital, GOconnectIT expands its market leading position with the acquisition of Geodan van den Berg, provider of Geo-IT solutions for cable and pipeline operators. The combined entity makes it possible to establish a stronger connection between excavators and network operators in the field of underground cables and pipelines.

GOconnectIT, supplier of innovative and specialist software solutions for the infra sector, joins forces with Geodan van den Berg. Where GOconnectIT mainly focuses on the operational side of the excavators, Geodan van den Berg mainly focuses on network operators. By combining the knowledge and experience from both worlds, a party is created which can completely unburden its customers even better. Moreover, by facilitating and improving the information exchange between excavators and network operators, the chance of excavation damage can be further reduced.

Geodan van den Berg is the supplier of the self-developed WION System, with which they unburden more than 500 cable and pipeline operators in the field of the WION (‘Wet informatie-uitwisseling ondergrondse netten’) and the successor of that law, the WIBON. In addition, Geodan van den Berg supports, among other things, data management within the framework of the new legislation. Geodan van den Berg arose from a collaboration between construction company BAM Infra Telecom and Geo-IT service provider Geodan. Among the more than 500 network operators that are currently connected to the WION system are many municipalities, provinces, water boards and energy companies.

The products and services from GOconnectIT and Geodan van den Berg perfectly complement each other, and both respond to increasing laws and regulations in the field of underground cables and pipelines to prevent excavation damage.

Collaboration GOconnectIT – Geodan van den Berg

Edwin van Rooijen (Director GOconnectIT): “The acquisition allows us to serve the entire chain in the Klic-process, creating new opportunities in the area of data exchange between excavators and network operators. This fits perfectly in our ambition to reduce the number of excavation damages in the Netherlands.”

Theo Thewessen (Director van Geodan/Geodan van den Berg): “The Geo-IT solutions from Geodan van den Berg are a great foundation for serving the entire chain. As a partner, Geodan will be closely involved in the further development of innovative Geo-IT services in relation to the further digitization of the Klic-process.”

Jeroen Wijnen (Director van BAM Infra Telecom/Geodan van den Berg): “With the transition from Geodan van den Berg, the service to our customers is extended and secured for the future. We look forward to further cooperation with GOconnectIT, an excellent partner which is able to serve this market well.”

Source: Main Capital Press Release

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Group of Butchers, the Dutch supplier of high-quality meat and mince-based products in which Equistone Partners Europe acquired a majority stake in January 2017, has announced the acquisition of Hartmann GmbH, a leading family-owned German producer of meatballs and mince-based products. The deal represents Group of Butchers’ first move into the German market and strengthens the company’s position as one of the leading producers of artisan meats by extending its product range to include a number of traditionally prepared mince-based products. The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed and completion of the sale remains subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.

Hartmann GmbH was founded in 1984 in Warendorf-Milte, North Rhine-Westphalia, where the company’s sole production and administration site remains situated today. The site covers approximately 4000 square metres in total and Hartmann produces its entire meat range there, including meatballs, patties, cutlets and chops in a variety of weights and packages, serving both the high-end and price-conscious market segments. Hartmann primarily supplies well-known national and international commercial and bulk buyers of meat products. In Germany the business is distinguished by high quality standards as well as its range of long-standing and ongoing customer and sales relationships.

Remko Rosman, CEO of Group of Butchers, said: “Currently we primarily serve the Dutch and Belgian markets. The acquisition of Hartmann GmbH will give us access to the German market, which is an important and extremely interesting proposition for us. We are also extending the product range that we can offer our existing customers, particularly of mince-based products. Together with the management and highly motivated workforce of Hartmann GmbH we will now identify and leverage common customer and market opportunities, in order to maintain both our growth strategy in all price segments and sales regions as well as our customers’ high level of satisfaction.”

The three siblings Martina Beuker, Christian Hartmann and Maike Hartmann are selling their shareholding in Hartmann GmbH. They commented: “Our family business is becoming part of the strong Group of Butchers team. By joining forces, we are guaranteeing the continuity of Hartmann GmbH, the site with all its employees and our high-quality product range. As part of Group of Butchers, we will continue working to produce and sell traditional and innovative meat and mince-based products of proven quality.”

Marc Arens, Partner at Equistone Partners Europe who is responsible for the firm’s investment in Group of Butchers alongside Maximilian Göppert, added: “Our aim when investing in Group of Butchers was to tap into the company’s potential for further expansion – through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. With the acquisition of Hartmann GmbH, Group of Butchers has succeeded in taking an important step into the German market. We are pleased to continue supporting the group’s dynamic development.” 

Source: Equistone Partners Europe Press Release

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 New funding will support exciting new product development and further B2B customer acquisition across global markets and industry sectors.

Ultrahaptics, the world leader in mid-air touch technology, has announced it has completed a £35 million ($45 million) Series C round of investment. The raise, which was oversubscribed, will enable Ultrahaptics to further develop and commercialise its revolutionary haptic technology in next generation user interfaces and experiences.

The new funding is led by Mayfair Equity Partners, the buyout and growth investor providing capital to dynamic businesses in the TMT and Consumer sectors, with further new investors including Hostplus, the major Australian superannuation fund. Existing shareholders IP Group plc, Woodford Investment, Cornes and Dolby Family Ventures have again participated.

Source: Ultrahaptics Press Release

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Aprea Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel anticancer therapies targeting the p53 tumor suppressor protein, Has announced the closing of a EUR 50 million Series C financing round led by the Redmile Group, with participation by new investor Rock Springs Capital and existing investors 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, HealthCap, Sectoral Asset Management and Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV).  A representative from Redmile Group will also be appointed as Director to the Aprea Therapeutics Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to close this financing, initiate a Phase III clinical study in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with our lead compound, APR-246, and drive the company toward its next value inflection point,” said Christian S. Schade, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aprea. “The addition of Redmile and Rock Springs to our investor group broadens the US investor base and we believe positions the company for future strategic opportunities.  We are committed to bringing this important new therapy to cancer patients with limited therapeutic options.”

Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the clinical development of APR-246, a first-in-class anticancer agent that reactivates mutated p53 tumor suppressor protein.  Aprea is planning to begin a Phase 3 clinical study in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and is nearing completion of a Phase Ib/II clinical trial in p53 mutated high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and oligoblastic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with APR-246 and azacitidine. The Phase II part of the study is ongoing, with updated data to be presented at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting.

Source: Aprea Therapeutics Press Release

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Nestor Primecare Services Limited, which is owned by the AURELIUS Group , sold part of its homecare services business in England, Scotland and Wales to the Health Care Resourcing Group (CRG), Prescot, UK.

CRG is one of the biggest British staffing services providers in the healthcare and nursing sector in Great Britain. It will combine the acquired business with its own activities, creating one of the biggest British providers of homecare services. The homecare services business in Northern Ireland and Ireland is not affected by this sale and will remain with AURELIUS. The parties agreed to keep the purchase price secret.

AURELIUS acquired the business operated under the brand names “Allied Primecare” and “Allied Healthcare” from Saga plc. in late 2015 and has restructured it extensively since that time.

Source: AURELIUS Group Press Release

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Meddex, a healthcare information exchange software vendor, continues its operations as part of Enovation. Following the bankruptcy of Meddex in November, continuing the mission-critical services for healthcare institutions is the top priority at this moment. Enovation, the Dutch healthcare communication software vendor will acquire the Meddex’ operation to guarantee the continuation of services ensuring that clients are able to continue healthcare delivery without disturbances.

Meddex’ solutions play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of a large amount of Dutch healthcare institutions. This created the necessity to continue the services Meddex’ provides to its clients. Curator Hans Hendriks (KBS advocaten NV) indicates that the healthcare institutions involved provided inventory credit to enable him to look for suitable acquisition candidates. The 35-year experience Enovation has in providing healthcare communication solutions makes the company the ideal candidate for continuing Meddex’ operations. The transaction also facilitates the continuity of employment preserving the market- and product specific knowledge currently present at Meddex.

The acquisition strengthens Enovation leading position in the Dutch healthcare communication market. Both companies deliver solutions based on an XDS infrastructure making both product propositions complementary to each other. This creates an opportunity to improve client service by giving them the option to benefit from a broader XDS product proposition. The exclusive focus of both, Enovation and Meddex, on delivering healthcare communication solutions enable clients to procure communication software independent of IT system vendors. Enovation, backed by Main Capital Partners, envisions to further grow towards a leading SaaS player in the North-West European Healthcare market by leveraging organic growth and following a selective buy-and-build strategy.

Jeroen van Rijswijk (CEO Enovation): “We strongly realize the importance of Meddex’ operations for the execution of primary processes within many healthcare institutions. This includes patient referrals, cooperation and communication within organizations and between multiple stakeholders in healthcare provision. Our top priority is to ensure the continuation of Meddex’ operations.”

Charly Zwemstra (Chairman of the Board Enovation and Managing Partner Main Capital Partners): “The Meddex acquisition strengthens Enovation’s position in the Dutch XDS information exchange market. The combination of both companies creates the scale required to deliver the mission-critical services to healthcare institutions.”

Source: Main Capital Partners BV Press Release

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London-based asset management consultancy, MJ Hudson, has acquired Amaces, a data and analytics firm, which provides tools and consulting services to help institutional investors benchmark and monitor the cost and quality of the investor services they receive from their custodian banks. The firm also provides innovative tools and related consulting services in the field of FX transaction cost analysis.

Founded in 2002 by two senior treasury and custody principals that worked together at Chase Manhattan (now JP Morgan) and then Citibank, Amaces has an established customer base and operations in Europe, as well as in the United States and Canada.

The acquisition expands MJ Hudson’s existing asset management client base from 600+ managers, pension funds and other asset owners to more than 700, collectively managing in excess of $10Trn. It provides MJ Hudson with an established operational and commercial presence in the US and Canadian markets, while simultaneously offering new and existing clients an extended and enhanced suite of services.

Amaces is a subscription-led data and analytics service provider to more than 100 fund managers, pension funds and endowments. Its clients rely on Amaces products and services to help them achieve and sustain optimum performance from their custodian banks and administrators. Its clients are located principally in the US, Canada and Europe and include many of the world’s most significant institutional investors.

The senior executive team at Amaces will remain with the business and there will be no interruption of services to existing customers. A number of client initiatives to develop services benefitting from the natural synergies between Amaces and MJ Hudson’s existing service offering are already underway.

The Amaces name will continue as ‘MJ Hudson Amaces’ and all of the services provided by the company will be accessible under the MJ Hudson brand.

Matthew Hudson, CEO, MJ Hudson, commented on the deal:

“Amaces is a leader in its field. The team has built an impressive business, becoming a trusted adviser to a remarkable array of blue chip clients on both sides of the Atlantic. The acquisition will complement the consulting, analytics and software capabilities MJ Hudson has already built and allow our clients to benefit from a more comprehensive, technology-enabled suite of services, across multiple markets.”

“As well as allowing us to provide new services to MJ Hudson’s European customers, our decision to acquire the company, its software system and IP comes as we seek to further improve the support we provide to our North American clients and begin to grow our profile in the world’s largest asset management market. The Amaces team has identified a significant growth opportunity for its market-leading services and we are excited to work with the team to capture this opportunity and help more institutions generate enhanced returns.”

James Economides, Director, Amaces US, commented:

“Amaces and MJ Hudson both operate within asset management and both have strong, compatible cultures. The logical next step was to combine forces for the benefit of all our clients. We look forward to providing even better, more extensive products and a broader consultancy practice for the 100+ institutions that we already work with.”

Source: MJ Hudson Press Release

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BaltCap together with JBIC IG Partners, a Japanese government backed private equity and venture capital firm, will establish a new €100m fund focusing on venture capital investments in the Nordic and Baltic region. JB Nordic Ventures, 50/50 joint venture between BaltCap and JBIC IG, will focus on early stage investments into ICT/Deep Tech sectors, including Autonomous Mobility, Digital Health, AR/VR/MR, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and IoT. The fund investors will include large Japanese technology corporations like Honda, Omron and others. The Fund will utilize global network in Tallinn, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tokyo and plans to start operating in Q1 2019. “We are very pleased to see that the Nordic-Baltic region has emerged as one of the hottest venture capital areas in the world and we are excited to begin this new venture together with highly reputable Japanese investors,” says Peeter Saks, Managing Partner of BaltCap.

Source: BaltCap Press Release

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