Ken MacFadyen

Boston-based, energy-tech group RockPort Capital Partners has held a $155m interim close for its second fund, with backing from Reservoir Capital Group.

Apax has emerged as the winner of the Tommy Hilfiger auction, inking a deal to buy the clothing designer for $1.6 billion.

The Mayfield-affiliated Chinese venture group GSR Ventures has held a first close on its debut fund.

Sydney-based Pacific Equity Partners has overcome bird flu fears to acquire Heinz’s New Zealand poultry subsidiary Tegel Foods.

Wynnchurch Capital’s latest fund was roughly $250 million oversubscribed, holding its final close $50 million over its stated target.

Clayton Dubilier & Rice, The Carlyle Group and Merrill Lynch have completed their buyout of rental car giant Hertz.

The Southern California-focused Riordan, Lewis & Haden has corralled roughly $100m in an interim close for its second fund.

Boston-based Berkshire Partners is the second US private equity group to make a bet on a Canadian retailer in December, investing in women’s apparel company Aritzia.

Prides Capital has led a group of hedge funds to take travel services group Pegasus Solutions private, providing further evidence of the hedge-fund incursion into private equity.

Amid an increasingly competitive environment, many venture groups are doing what they can to keep their early stage investments under wraps. By Ken MacFadyen.