Luisa Beltran

DSW to buy Camuto Group for $375 mln

DSW Inc said Oct. 10 that has agreed to buy the operations of Camuto Group for about $375 million. The deal includes the licensing rights for the Jessica Simpson® footwear business, as well as the footwear and handbag licenses for Lucky Brand® and Max Studio®. DSW and Authentic Brands Group LLC also agreed to buy several IP rights from Camuto under a new partnership.

Blackstone, Hellman explore $17 bln Nielsen bid: Financial Times

Blackstone and Hellman & Friedman are leading a group that is exploring a bid to buy Nielsen, which could sell for $17 billion, the Financial Times is reporting. CPPIB from Canada and GIC of Singapore are also part of the group that is exploring a buy of the TV ratings provider, the story said. If successful, the deal would return Nielsen to its previous owners. Blackstone and H&F, along with Carlyle, took Nielsen private in 2006.

With Thoma Bravo, Apttus could be as big as Salesforce or SAP: executive chair

Thoma Bravo closes Apttus investment

Thoma Bravo has completed its majority investment in Apttus. The deal was previously announced. Apttus, of San Mateo, provides middle office software.

Sears bankruptcy could come this week: Wall Street Journal

Sears could file for bankruptcy as early as this week and has hired M-III Partners LLC to help it prepare, the Wall Street Journal reported. Sears has $134 million in debt due on Monday, the story said.

FTV makes Anderson a partner

FTV Capital said Oct. 10 that it promoted Robert Anderson to partner.

KKR, IGIS Asset Management buy Gangnam real estate

KKR and IGIS Asset Management have invested in a mixed-use real estate project under development in the Gangnam Business District in Seoul, South Korea. National Pension Service of Korea also invested. The deal is valued at 2.1 trillion South Korean wons ($1.9 billion). The sellers include a consortium led by Daor E&C. The property will consist of prime grade office space, amenity retail space and a five-star hotel.

Gotham Therapeutics raises $54 mln

Gotham Therapeutics has raised $54 million in a Series A financing round led by Forbion and Versant Ventures. Also participating were SR One, Celgene and Alexandria Venture Investments. Forbion contributed $15 million to Gotham’s round. Gotham is a biotech that is developing a drug class targeting RNA-modifying proteins.

PE HUB Wire Highlights, 10.9.18

Court Square to make 6.5x on $2 bln Rocket Software sale; TA preps PhysIOL for a sale; TPG eyes disruptive opportunities in education, healthcare and dying malls

H.I.G., General Atlantic to exit FNZ in 1.65 bln pound sale

H.I.G. Capital said Oct. 9 that it agreed to sell its stake in FNZ to Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec and Generation Investment Management LLP. The deal was valued at 1.65 billion pounds ($2.15 billion). FNZ, of Edinburgh, U.K., is a Platform-as-a-Service provider to the European wealth management industry. UPDATE: General Atlantic, which invested in FNZ in 2012, is also selling its holding.