April 2009 Issue

Commentary on the month's hottest private equity stories by Amanda Janis, editor of PrivateEquityOnline

Les Brun founded Hamilton Lane, a private equity advisor and management firm with more than $40 billion in assets under management. Among other things, he now manages a holding company for his personal investments, SARR. PEI spoke with Brun about his views on the fund of funds industry

The financial crisis may have taken a toll, but lower mid-market French companies are still keen to engage with private equity. Amanda Janis reports

How can cash-starved GPs nurture their portfolio companies at a time when exits are a remote prospect? Tim Chapman investigates a possible solution that may be hard for some to swallow

We identify 10 limited partners that have capital to invest. A snapshot of their appetites and allocations reveals a diverse market – and hope for those raising funds. By David Snow

Greg Brenneman, chairman of US private equity firm CCMP Capital, has a long history of turning around troubled companies. He tells Christopher Witkowsky about his simple formula for success and why now is the time to buy

Can publicly listed private equity firms justify their existence in the current market environment? Kevin Ley finds some evidence that they can

With a lucrative new contract and fresh funding under its belt, a Chinese digital screen provider is planning interactive adverts

Sofinnova's blockbusting $700m exit from a medical device firm made European early-stage venture capital seem less of a longshot, writes Toby Mitchenall

A new fund to be spearheaded by a UK-based investment firm will target transport and energy

Kingdom Zephyr has done three diverse deals in a month, including a €45m investment in housebuilder Mixta Africa

The financial crisis will throw up some compelling opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Toby Mitchenall finds out where and when

Consolidation among its investment vehicles poses questions about the emirate's private equity plans

An increasing number of Chinese venture capital firms are raising funds denominated in the local currency

For GPs targeting Asian opportunities, South Korea is unlikely to be at the top of the priority list. Perhaps it should be

The importance of risk-related due diligence has been illustrated by an unusual case in the US

Christopher Witkowsky finds investors keen to withdraw apparent pledges to private equity funds

Firms jumping on the social responsibility bandwagon are looking to improve their public image – and, their profits too

Insolvent portfolio companies are facing ‘medieval’ action from lenders. But disaster is not inevitable

Serial entrepreneur Luke Johnson claims not everyone has faced up to the reality of recession. He has – and he's confident it means his new fund will be a success

In a sparse deal landscape, a return to growth equity is on the cards

Will an industry code will slake the political thirst for pan-European regulation?

In buyout firms' battle for survival, it is not simply a case of “mid-market good, mega fund bad”

Private equity haiku* of the month 2009-04-01 Staff Writer In the third of a series, PEI applies an ancient art form to a modern (private equity-related) setting: My thoughts are haunted

In these straitened times, it's encouraging to hear that some private equity professionals are able to mix in glamorous circles. A team at law firm Taylor Wessing, headed by London-based private equity partner Russell Van Praagh, has been doing just that by advising Brawn GP, the newest addition to the flashy world of Formula 1 […]

Private equity have always had a taste for the food and drink industry, but, as we discover below, the results have varied

Numbers game Staff 2009-04-01 Writer At the time of this issue of PEI going to press, limited partners could still be heard drumming their fingers on desks. Mounir Guen of placement agent MVision points out in our fundraising cover story (see coverage starting

Tourists who flock to Venice will have many reasons for doing so. They may be exploring the famous canals by gondola, staring in awe at the magnificent St Mark's Basilica, or perhaps marvelling at the view from atop the Rialto Bridge. It is likely that few will travel there to pay homage to the roots […]