Middle East

The sun never sets on the VC empire(2)

Accel Partners’ Joe Schoendorf says the expansion of VC activity throughout the world has created a 24/7 venture environment in which investors are going after revolutionary advances that could change the world. Dave Keating reports.

Nikko sells RoadChef to Israeli group for £375m(2)

Nikko Principal Investments has sold UK firm RoadChef to an Israeli real estate group for £375 million. Nikko had owned the motorway service station chain for nearly ten years.

Canadian pension groups launch Turkey fund(2)

Teachers’ Private Capital and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board plan to capitalise on a growing market with Actera Partners.

Benchmark-backed Bebo hires Google managing director(2)

Benchmark Capital-backed social networking site Bebo has hired information technology veteran and former Google managing director Joanna Shields as president, and will move out of Benchmark’s offices this week.

Investcorp to raise $1bn buyout fund(2)

Investcorp raises over $500m from investors in six months and is preparing to raise a dedicated private equity fund.

3i closes medical technology funding round(2)

3i has added its 25th healthcare business to its portfolio after closing a financing round for Glucon, a US medical technology company.

Citigroup and CDC launch $200 million African fund(2)

Citigroup joins forces with a UK government-backed investor to target African opportunities.

Abraaj holds first close on infrastructure fund on $500m(2)

Dubai-based Abraaj Capital has secured one-quarter of its targeted fund size at the first close of its infrastructure and growth capital fund.

Mid Europa snaps up another telecoms business(2)

European private equity firm Mid Europa Partners has broken new ground in the Baltic region with the €450m acquisition of a mobile telephone operator.

Wellington Partners holds first close on €50m(2)

German venture capital firm Wellington Partners has held a final close of its third life science fund on €50m and expects to hold a final close by the summer on €120m.