February 2008 Issue

Oliver Gottschalg of HEC School of Management and Robert M. Ryan of Peracs Due Diligence Services present new techniques for quantitative private equity fund due diligence.

Obstacles still remain, but Europe's private equity markets are becoming more integrated. Peter Cornelius and Karlijn Juttmann of AlpInvest Partners look at the implications.

Sister website PrivateEquityOnline.com recently asked leading industry professionals for their thoughts on what lies in store this year. Below is a selection of the responses.

The near-term future of the leveraged buyout market presents an unfolding tale of two halves. Mid-market private equity firms will cautiously continue to acquire quality companies, while mega-fund managers will dramatically downsize their deal sizes and pursue alternative deal structures. David Snow asks LBO insiders to take the temperature of 2008.

After several record-breaking years for the new kings of capitalism, life suddenly seems less than straightforward. Andy Thomson looks at some of the likely twists and turns in store for private equity in 2008.

Sheryl Schwartz launched the alternative investment programme at TIAA-CREF in 1997. More than a decade on, she talks with Amanda Janis about the evolution of the US retirement system's $11.3bn alternatives portfolio.

A renewable energy initiative recently rolled out by Google seeks to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in innovative technology companies and energy projects. Amanda Janis reports.

While it is often reported that investor views of European venture remain sceptical, a survey from secondaries specialist Coller Capital has revealed that half of limited partners in Europe believe European venture will be as attractive as North American venture within the next five years. However, while this vote of confidence will be welcomed by […]

If European venture is a hard sell, Italian venture is even tougher. But that didn't stop two former executives of large private equity groups from plunging into the space with a debut fund.

Brazilian asset manager FAMA Investimentos is moving into private equity with a $200m fund that will target small, local companies.

Financing is nearing completion for a hydroelectric project on the Victoria Nile, which represents Blackstone's first deal in Uganda.

2008 will be a tough year for Asian private equity, says Affinity Equity Partners' chairman.

The Chinese Government has made clear where it wants foreign private equity involvement – and where it doesn't.

The new service opens up a treasure trove of historic returns information.

LPs have no time for GPs who want to stick them with the bill for a higher carry tax.

Guy Hands, self-appointed saviour of the music industry, is making progress on the PR front.

Emboldened by another homerun in January, Index Ventures has added a new business line with a e400m growth capital fund.

Europe appears on the verge of a mezzanine revival.

There are challenging times ahead for buyout groups in Europe – and not just for the mega-funds.

TOUGH ON TOYS 2008-02-01 Staff Writer The Service Employees International Union stepped up its toxic toys campaign in time for the holiday shopping season. The labour union organised a group of activists and mothers to protest outside Kohlberg Kravis Roberts' New York headquarters, with the goal of persuadin

CHICAGO MOVIE MAVEN 2008-02-01 Staff Writer John Canning may be stepping back his leadership role at Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners, but he's as interested as ever in embracing risk, especially in the form of filmed entertainment. According to a recent Chicago Tribu

Editor's letter 2008-02-01 Staff Writer “The reality is we've gone from a raging bull market in credit to a bear market. Now people are worrying about anything and everything.” So said David Brickman, director of credit strategy at Lehman Brothers, in the context of a Financial Times

Nicholas Lockley, editor of PrivateEquityOnline.com, looks behind the recent headlines on the web.

Exponent Private Equity, a UK mid-market firm founded in 2004, has closed its second fund with commitments of £805 million ( €1 billion; $1.6 billion). The fund is double the amount raised in the first fund in 2004. Investors included funds managed by Pathway, Pantheon Ventures, Danske Private Equity, MassPRIM, OMERS Capital Partners, NYL Capital Partners and Bank of Scotland, as well as substantial US endowment and European private family sources. Hugh Richards, one of the firm's four founding partners, answers PEI's questions.