I've been a business reporter for a while. I've covered Wall Street, venture capital and now private equity. I'm always looking for a scoop or something to talk about. I'm the eternal optimist and am still waiting for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series. Yes, I believe.
Golden Gate Capital said Monday it agreed to buy Springs Window Fashions from Heartland Industrial Partners and interests of the Close Family. Financial terms were not announced. Middleton, Wis.-based Springs Fashions makes and sells custom and stock window coverings and drapery hardware to retail and commercial customers. The deal is expected to close in June. BofA Merrill Lynch served as financial advisor to Golden Gate Capital on this transaction. J.P. Morgan served as financial advisor to Springs.
3 min read · 22 April 2013
Aquiline Capital Partners said Monday that it has completed its buy of Equity Insurance Group. Financial terms weren't announced. The seller was Insurance Australia Group. U.K.-based Equity Insurance is a specialist motor insurer. The deal includes Equity Red Star and Equity Syndicate Management Ltd., with its associated Syndicate 218 at Lloyd’s, as well as the broking business Equity Direct Broking Limited.
3 min read · 22 April 2013
Spondo has raised AU $1 million (US $1.03 million) in funding. Melbourne, Australia-based Spondo is a social broadcasting network.
3 min read · 22 April 2013
Content Partners has acquired a 50% interest in three series comprising the TV franchise CSI: "CSI: Las Vegas," "CSI: New York" and "CSI: Miami." Financial terms weren't announced. Allen Matkins provided legal advice to Content Partners.
2 min read · 22 April 2013
To end your week, we have news on how long Siri keeps your cries for help, Reditt faces outages and the harsh reality of being a middle-aged programmer. Stay strong, Boston!
1 min read · 19 April 2013
The Weather Company has named Peter Kuipers CFO effective May 6. Kuipers joins the company from Yahoo! Inc., where he serves as vice president of finance for the Americas Region. He will report to Chris Walters, Weather's chief operating officer. Weeather is owned by NBC Universal, The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.
3 min read · 19 April 2013
A spate of large transactions helped boost deal values by 250% this week.
2 min read · 19 April 2013
American Capital said Friday that its sponsor finance group invested over $59 million in three companies during first quarter. In March, American Capital invested in a second lien facility to support the refinancing of Total Safety, which is owned by another PE firm. Also that month, American Capital invested in a second lien facility to support the buy of Datapipe by another PE firm. In February, American Capital invested in a new first lien facility as part of the refinancing of its portfolio company, Neways.
4 min read · 19 April 2013
The Carlyle Group has made a "significant" investment in Addison Lee. Financial terms weren't announced. Addison Lee is a U.K. taxi company. The investment comes from Carlyle Europe Partners III L.P., a 5.4 billion Euro (US$7 billion) fund that makes mid and large cap investments. Reuters says the investment was in the region of 300 million pounds ($458.8 million).
2 min read · 19 April 2013
NovoPedics has received a commitment of up to $500,000 from Foundation Venture Capital Group. NovoPedics will use the funds to its development of an implantable meniscus replacement/regeneration medical device.
3 min read · 19 April 2013
