The total valuation of late-stage, venture-backed private companies in the United States and Europe has exploded from a few dozen startups worth a collective US$40 billion in 2010 to hundreds of firms that together are now worth almost US$500 billion, Reuters reported, citing a new study. The numbers show the magnitude of recent trend in which the biggest Silicon Valley startups raise hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars from private investors while delaying their entrance into public markets. There are now 471 late-stage private companies with an approximate valuation of US$490 billion, according to the report from Scenic Advisement, a San Francisco-based investment bank.
2 min read · 02 June 2017
Canadian activist investor West Face Capital disclosed a 5 percent stake in FirstGroup plc after the British transport company's shares fell more than 5 percent, Reuters reported. West Face, a Toronto-based hedge fund, has previously taken stakes in companies such as Maple Leaf Foods Inc and SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.
1 min read · 01 June 2017
The Chilean government has received five offers for a major highway concession in capital Santiago, the ministry of public works said this week, as the South American country seeks to revamp its infrastructure network, Reuters reported. The highway, known as Americo Vespucio Oriente Tramo Principe de Gales-Los Presidentes (AVO II), will cut underneath a large portion of Santiago, at the price of about US$800 million. The bidders include Grupo Costanera made up by Italy's Atlantia and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
1 min read · 01 June 2017
The sale of Reckitt Benckiser Group's (RB.L) North American food business, which could fetch more than $3 billion, has kicked off with information packages going out to industry players, Reuters reported.
2 min read · 01 June 2017
Stitch Fix Inc has hired investment banks for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the U.S. personalized fashion internet retailer at between $3 billion and $4 billion, including debt, Reuters reported.
2 min read · 01 June 2017
CVC Capital Partners has raised 16 billion euros ($17.98 billion) for its latest flagship fund for private equity investments in Europe and North America, Reuters reported.
1 min read · 01 June 2017
European Union states and their joint parliament in Brussels on Tuesday agreed new rules to give smaller companies improved access to financing, a move the bloc said would help create jobs and spur economic growth.
1 min read · 31 May 2017
Private equity fund Enterprise Investors may sell Polish energy-efficient housebuilder Danwood, sources told Reuters.
1 min read · 31 May 2017
Chinese online tutoring company Yuanfudao said on Wednesday it raised $120 million from private equity firm Warburg Pincus and Tencent Holdings (0700.HK), putting it among a raft of unicorns valued at more than $1 billion in the world's second largest economy.
1 min read · 31 May 2017
Private equity firm HGGC has agreed to take a majority stake in database software firm Idera, valuing the company at roughly $1.125 billion including debt, Reuters reported.
2 min read · 31 May 2017
