October 2006 Issue

The editor of PrivateEquityOnline.com, looks through our online window on the industry.

Ian Cash, a former member of the proprietary trading division at Citigroup and co-founder of the global special situations group at Mizuho International, joined London-based private equity firm Alchemy Partners in May this year to head up the firm's new £250 million distressed debt vehicle, Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund. He explains the fund's focus and ponders the future of distressed debt in Europe.

Head officeVisiting addressBradbenken 1Bygdøy Allé (Hydrobygget)Postboks 3964 Dreggen0257 Oslo5835 BergenNorwayNorwayTel: +47 55 54 7000Fax: +47 55 54 7001www.argentum.noASSETS / FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT€295 millionYEAR FIRST INVESTED IN PRIVATE EQUITY2002APPROX. NUMBER OF FUNDS INVESTED IN:17ALLOCATION TO PRIVATE EQUITY / ALTERNATIVES100%CONTACTS: Mr. Jørgen Kjærnes Arne Trondsen CEO Investment Director jhk@argentum.no at@argentum.no Tel: +47 9225 0810 Tel: +47 2243 […]

GAME ON 2006-10-01 Staff Writer “The Nordic region is characterised by its ability to grow hightech businesses fast,” proclaimed former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt in his keynote address to the recent Nordic Private Equity Congress in Stockholm. As an example, he cited GSM techno

Business schools are surfing the private equity wave by offering training and job opportunities. Yet private equity is an apprenticeship business and schooling can only get you so far. By Shahin Vallée.

A new $1bn vehicle provides evidence of the marketability of funds targeting the crossroads of emerging markets and sustainable investments.

FIRST ROUND 2006-10-01 Staff Writer When CNNMoney.com recently asked 12 leading US venture capitalists to name the worst business ideas they'd ever encountered, responses ranged from the disturbing (talking sneakers) to the unpleasant (secondhand toys for pets). But perhaps the winner

The editor of PrivateEquityOnline.com, looks through our online window on the industry.

Ian Cash, a former member of the proprietary trading division at Citigroup and co-founder of the global special situations group at Mizuho International, joined London-based private equity firm Alchemy Partners in May this year to head up the firm's new £250 million distressed debt vehicle, Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund. He explains the fund's focus and ponders the future of distressed debt in Europe.

Head officeVisiting addressBradbenken 1Bygdøy Allé (Hydrobygget)Postboks 3964 Dreggen0257 Oslo5835 BergenNorwayNorwayTel: +47 55 54 7000Fax: +47 55 54 7001www.argentum.noASSETS / FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT€295 millionYEAR FIRST INVESTED IN PRIVATE EQUITY2002APPROX. NUMBER OF FUNDS INVESTED IN:17ALLOCATION TO PRIVATE EQUITY / ALTERNATIVES100%CONTACTS: Mr. Jørgen Kjærnes Arne Trondsen CEO Investment Director jhk@argentum.no at@argentum.no Tel: +47 9225 0810 Tel: +47 2243 […]

Business schools are surfing the private equity wave by offering training and job opportunities. Yet private equity is an apprenticeship business and schooling can only get you so far. By Shahin Vallée.

GAME ON Staff 2006-10-01 Writer “The Nordic region is characterised by its ability to grow hightech businesses fast,” proclaimed former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt in his keynote address to the recent Nordic Private Equity Congress in Stockholm. As an example, he cite

Sweden is home to one of Europe's most mature private equity markets. But, as the country's Prime Minister questions the motives of financial buyers and large listed companies come up for grabs, the profile of the asset class is higher than ever. Andy Thomson reports.

Louis Elson and Michael Hoffman have faced some fundraising challenges since launching Palamon Capital Partners in the late 1990s, but their belief in the viability of European growth capital has remained unshaken. Andy Thomson reports.

Who are the 30 most influential lawyers in global private equity? We asked the market. Here are the results.

A handful of buyout firms are systematically pursuing deals in one of Europe's most vibrant economies.

Switzerland's alternative investment houses are on a roll, with clients at home and abroad flocking to private equity. How long will it continue, asks Philip Borel.

As private equity matures, advisors and investors say it is becoming increasingly complicated to create a balanced portfolio that adequately manages risk and return. Alison Granito reports.

Taking full advantage of ultra-liquid debt markets, buyout funds are handing big sums of cash back to investors. As holding periods shorten, are limited partners in danger of getting too comfortable with private equity's new short-termism, asks Philip Borel.

After a false start in balmy South Florida in 1995, Marc Leder and Rodger Krouse refocused and grew Sun Capital Partners into one of the biggest turnaround investors in the market. The two best friends have divergent personalities but a common goal – to build the dominant firm in a growing, global niche. David Snow reports.

In the second of a series looking at prospects for European venture hotbeds, Robert Venes examines VIB, a Flanders research institute partnered with four local universities.

As more and more video-sharing sites try to become the next big thing, VCs are vying for their attention and pouring in funding. But do online video sites have a sustainable business plan? Dave Keating explores the evidence.

A new $1bn vehicle provides evidence of the marketability of funds targeting the crossroads of emerging markets and sustainable investments.

Asia news Staff 2006-10-01 Writer WL ROSS BUYS CAR PARTS SUPPLIERS WL Ross & Co, a US restructuring specialist, has acquired Japan's Mitsuboshi Belting Kaseihin Co and BST Safety Textiles for a combined $305 million (€240 million). Ross bought Mitsubos

India is offering a healthy diet of transactions to private equity firms operating in the country, though large buyouts remain off the menu for the time being.

Euan Hamilton, global head of leveraged finance at RBS, is moving Stateside to help grow the bank's US business.

The sale of Misys is taking longer than some investors would like.

Electra Private Equity, the recently renamed UK investment trust, is hoping to gorge on new deals after seven years of profitable abstinence.

Spin-outs from European universities need capital and commercial management. Venture capitalists are competing to provide both.

William Donaldson brings his broad expertise as a senior advisor to globe-spanning Ripplewood.

A painful Heartland investment has found a new home.

A secondary team leaves en masse to start a new firm.

Institutions everywhere are increasing their allocations to private equity, chasing hard after David Swensen's historic returns. Few of them will get there.

Nothing is funnier than a well crafted piece of irony. Nothing, that is, except for the dour declamations of people who don't get the joke.

Editor's letter Staff 2006-10-01 Writer Private equity is a long-term game – or is it? Newcomers to the asset class marvelling at the streams of cash flowing back to limited partners might be forgiven for getting the wrong end of the stick. If as an investor you entered pri