Suzanne Weinstock

Backed by a single investor, the fund will support the commercialisation efforts of Massachusetts-based medical technology companies.

Eighty-six companies this year have defaulted, affecting $285bn, 35 times the amount affected in 2007. That private equity is behind 62% of these companies is 'not a surprise', according to Standard & Poor's.

Better Place, backed by Morgan Stanley and VantagePoint Venture Partners, will begin building charging ports and battery exchange stations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in 2010.

The clothing retailer has rebuffed an unsolicited buyout offer worth between $165m and $175m as the company works to remedy its ailing operations.

The Cerberus-owned company has launched a $38bn debt restructuring to shore up its capital base to meet regulatory requirements necessary to become a bank holding company.

The regional US private equity investor is targeting $200m for its third fund after adjusting the target down from $300m.

AxleTech International will join the armament and technical products division of defense industry contractor General Dynamics.

The Sao Paolo-based alternatives firm has held a final close for its third private equity fund targeting the consumer and infrastructure sectors.

Palladium Equity Partners, Carpenter & Company and FrontPoint Partners have acted as lead investors in Heritage Bank, set to commence operations next week.

Communications company IPC Systems, exited by GS Capital for $800m in 2006, has sold off its emergency call-focused group to West Corporation.