Suzanne Weinstock

Scott Meyer will join the New York-based private equity firm as an entrepreneur-in-residence focussed on sourcing investment opportunities in the internet sector.

The US smaller middle market-focussed private equity firm has returned 4.8x its investment in Universal Air Filter while investing in GTI Diagnostics through its micro-cap fund.

The Paris-based private equity arm of French insurer AXA has divested itself of a 2005 investment from its third fund following the recent close of Fund IV on €1.6 billion; AXA Private Equity has also opened an office in Zurich.

The hardware, software and technology services giant and Russia-focussed investment firm UFG Asset Management have funded the launch of Almaz Capital.

Non-existent public offerings and slowing M&A activity have led venture firms to extend holding periods and have sparked secondary activity as stakeholders seek liquidity.

Private equity firms no longer lead the pack, according to recently released global M&A data from mergermarket.

Advent will add family-owned French fashion brand Gérard Darel to its extensive retail portfolio. The firm, which has had a local presence in France since 1997, is looking to international expansion to maximise the value of its investment.

The Long Island, New York-based firm has held a final close eight years after the close of its $213m predecessor fund, which targeted both venture capital and buyouts.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation may receive $1.7bn in exchange for relinquishing majority control of publicly listed subsidiary NDS Group to the global private equity firm.

LinkedIn, SodaHead, Twitter and I’m In Like With You are among the most recent companies to receive backing in the increasingly crowded social networking sector.