Former investment banking vice president Keith Koeneman has set up a solo private equity firm that is actively looking at several investments for which the firm will raise capital on a deal-by-deal basis.
Global infrastructure specialist Macquarie and the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank have already raised more than half the fund.
Despite a number of stellar performances from the likes of Altor and HitecVision, Nordic fundraising for the first half of 2008 was down more than 50% year-on-year, while investments dropped by around a third.
Qatar's QInvest is aiming for a $250m first close early next year for its maiden private equity fund. Meanwhile, plans to raise $1bn in tandem with Silver Leaf and Qatar Islamic Bank have been delayed.
The New York-based secondaries firm plans to capitalise on an expanding secondary market in 2009 and 2010. Fund VII will invest mostly in the US, but also in emerging markets.
The Italian mid-market firm founded by three veterans of 21 Investimenti has beaten its €150m target for Fund III by €28m.
Morgan Stanley Real Estate focuses on commingled fund operation as it pulls out of the separate accounts business.
The Massachusetts-based firm has raised its largest fund to date, buoyed by a $900m commitment from parent company MassMutual. The fund held a first close on $1.4bn in June.
BNP Paribas has reportedly launched a $300m fund for investment in small and medium-sized businesses in the MENA region with the dual aims of taking advantage of lower valuations and helping businesses obtain much-needed growth capital.
The Mumbai-based private equity firm has raised $225 million for an India-focused private equity growth fund, falling short of its target of $400 million.