Fundraising

With E765m in equity commitments and a E300m debt facility, the GSC European Mezzanine Fund LP intends to play a lead role in European mezzanine investment.

Dominic Shorthouse, the former Warburg Pincus dealmaker, has launched a E450m mid-market buyout fund.

Edinburgh-based Albany Ventures has received commitments from Scottish Widows, BoS, Alliance Trusts and Martin Currie en route to a £40m final closing.

Star Capital Partners’ low-risk capital outsourcing fund and its co-investing limited partners are targeting transactions worth several billion Euros.

Sigma Technology Group’s VC fund has held a first closing following commitments from BoS and Scottish Widows.

Quester’s latest fund, the Quester Venture Partnership, has raised E115m at first closing.

Who is shaping the industry? The question is important, because private equity, despite its becoming a more mainstream, institutionalised asset class, fundamentally remains a people's business. Private Equity International picks the people who make all the difference in European private equity.

Primary Capital has closed its second UK and European buyout fund at £100m.

The French firm has completed the fundraising for its mid-market Perfectis I fund.

NewMedia SPARK invests in Kobalt; Carlyle leads $10m third round investment in Apama