Category Archives: News

Bain Capital GSS Investment Corp. Announces the Separate Trading of its Ordinary Shares and Warrants Commencing

BainCapital

Boston, Massachusetts – November 20, 2025 – Bain Capital GSS Investment Corp. (NYSE: BCSS.U) (the “Company”), a blank check company, today announced that, commencing November 20, 2025, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade shares of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and warrants included in the units.

No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants that are separated will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “BCSS” and “BCSS.W,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BCSS.U.” Holders of units will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, in order to separate the units into Class A ordinary shares and warrants.

Bain Capital GSS Investment Corp. is a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Company intends to target companies with compelling, defensible business models that provide a growth platform with substantial expansion potential. The Company believes that its management team is positioned to drive long-term value creation post-business combination through accelerating growth, expanding market share, improving operational efficiency and enhancing profitability through strategic and operational support.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 29, 2025. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward Looking-Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement and final prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Investor Contact: bcss-spac@baincapital.com

Categories: News

La Caisse and Investissement Québec drive the growth of the Honco Group

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LaCaisse

The Honco Group, a Québec leader in steel processing, enters a new phase of growth with equity investments from La Caisse and Investissement Québec. This announcement consolidates the Québec ownership of the Honco Group, while accelerating its Canadian and international expansion, in line with the vision that has guided its development for more than 50 years.

La Caisse, which led this transaction, and Investissement Québec are both acquiring a minority stake in the Honco Group. The company’s management team is also joining its shareholders.

The move is part of an ambitious strategy to strengthen the Honco Group’s position as a key player in steel processing. The company is leveraging its diverse areas of expertise, modern manufacturing facilities and market diversification to support its growth. This model is based on six specialized business units: Honco Buildings (general contractor specializing in designing, manufacturing and installing prefabricated steel buildings), Sturo Métal (structural steelwork manufacturing and installation), Supervac (vacuuming and hydro excavation equipment design and manufacturing), Garex (garage door manufacturing), Ridge Nassau (garage door hardware manufacturing) and Métalec (commercial and industrial steel door and frame manufacturing). The Honco Group’s business units employ nearly 500 professionals.

“We are delighted to have the support of outstanding partners such as La Caisse and Investissement Québec as we embark on this new phase of growth for the Honco Group,” said Francis Lacasse, President and CEO of the Honco Group. “These major investments are a significant turning point for our family business. They give us the means to achieve our ambitions as a leading player in steel processing in Canada while remaining true to our values.”

“La Caisse is proud to partner with the Honco Group and the Lacasse family to support this leading Québec manufacturing company’s expansion. This milestone marks an important step in our approach to value creation and will help accelerate business unit growth, both in Canada and in global markets,” said Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec at La Caisse.

“The Honco Group is a key player in Québec’s steel industry and enjoys a leading market position. Investissement Québec is investing in this company to help consolidate its footing in Québec and give it the momentum it needs to step up its exports across Canada and internationally. This concrete support illustrates the strategic role that Investissement Québec intends to play to stimulate the growth of companies in key sectors of our economy,” said Bicha Ngo, President and CEO of Investissement Québec.

ABOUT THE HONCO GROUP

The Honco Group is comprised of Québec-based companies that specialize in processing steel for the building industry and manufacturing construction and environmental products. It owns and operates several manufacturing facilities serving over 600 clients from the private, public, and institutional sectors across Canada, the United States and over 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit groupehonco.com and the company’s LinkedIn page.

ABOUT LA CAISSE

At La Caisse, formerly CDPQ, we have invested for 60 years with a dual mandate: generate optimal long term returns for our 48 depositors, who represent over 6 million Quebecers, and contribute to Québec’s economic development.

As a global investment group, we are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private credit. As at June 30, 2025, La Caisse’s net assets totalled CAD 496 billion. For more information, visit lacaisse.com or consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages.

La Caisse is a registered trademark of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec that is protected in Canada and other jurisdictions and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

ABOUT INVESTISSEMENT QUÉBEC

Investissement Québec’s mission is to play an active role in Québec’s economic development. The Corporation’s services are designed to spur productivity, innovation, market development and the competitiveness of Québec businesses. To that end, Investissement Québec supports them at every stage of their growth with financing, as well as assistance with business consulting, technological transformation, and workforce strategies. In addition, through Investissement Québec International, the Corporation also provides concrete support for businesses’ export activities and conducts prospecting activities to attract foreign investment to Québec.

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For more information

  • Isabelle Fontaine
    Directrice principale, Médias et affaires gouvernementales
    Investissement Québec
    438 622-4087
    medias@invest-quebec.com

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Avista Healthcare Partners Acquires PK Benelux

Avista Healthcare

New York, November 19, 2025 – Avista Healthcare Partners (“Avista”), a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on healthcare, has completed the acquisition of PK Benelux (“PK” or the “Company”), a leading player in vitamins, minerals, and supplements (“VMS”) in the Netherlands.

Founded in 1985 and based in Uden, PK is the #1 VMS supplier in the Netherlands. Its flagship brand, Lucovitaal, has been the fastest-growing brand in the country for five years. Owned by its second-generation founders, Albert Peters and Angela Steenbergen-Peters, the Company offers the highest quality, highest value branded product assortment across nearly all VMS categories. PK develops and markets vitamins, minerals, other supplements, and other health products for distribution primarily across drugstores and pharmacies in the Netherlands. PK also supplies white label and private label medical devices to more than 30 countries.

This acquisition reinforces Avista’s position as a leading consumer healthcare investor across North America and Western Europe. It marks Avista’s seventh platform investment in the sector and leverages its proven founder partnership model. Avista’s track record of growing businesses alongside founders was key to establishing the partnership with PK Benelux. The collaboration is further strengthened by Avista’s robust network of seasoned executives. Notably, this investment also represents Avista’s third partnership with Yvan Vindevogel and his family office, the Damier Group.

About Avista Healthcare Partners

Founded in 2005, Avista Healthcare Partners is a leading New York-based private equity firm with over $10 billion invested in 51 growth-oriented healthcare businesses globally. Avista partners with businesses that feature strong management teams, stable cash flows and robust growth prospects – targeting healthcare product and technology businesses with clear scale potential across six sub-sectors experiencing strong tailwinds. The team is supported by a group of seasoned Strategic Executives enhancing the entire investment process through strategic insight, long-term value and sustainable businesses. For more information, visit www.avistahealthcare.com or follow Avista on LinkedIn.

About PK Benelux

PK Benelux is a consumer health company democratizing healthy living through the Lucovitaal brand and licensing of medical devices. PK Benelux is best known for its Dutch brand Lucovitaal®, recognized for being “powerful and affordable.” The company develops and markets vitamins, minerals, supplements, and other health products for distribution across drugstores, pharmacies, and online in the Netherlands, and supplies white label and private label medical devices to more than 30 countries. For more information, visit https://peterskrizman.com/.

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EQT Foundation backs Trellis Climate to accelerate first-of-a-kind projects

eqt

EQT Foundation grants €500,000 to Trellis Climate, a catalytic capital program by Prime Coalition accelerating first-of-a-kind (FOAK) climate projects.

The partnership advances EQT Foundation’s Breakthrough Scale program, which backs innovative models that make high-impact climate technologies investable at scale.

EQT Foundation has awarded a €500,000 grant to Trellis Climate, an impact-first catalytic capital program developed by Prime Coalition. The support will enable Trellis to expand its work financing first-of-a-kind (FOAK) climate infrastructure projects, bridging the critical “valley of death” between early-stage innovation and commercial scale.

Climate companies, supporting technologies such as advanced solar manufacturing, green fertilizer, or carbon-negative cement, face a consistent funding gap when they build FOAK projects. FOAK projects are often too large for traditional venture investors, yet too risky for project finance. Trellis addresses this bottleneck by deploying philanthropic catalytic capital to derisk these projects and unlock mainstream investment.

EQT Foundation’s grant and EQT’s in-kind support will strengthen Trellis’s operational capacity and support the design of its next pilot investments.

Trellis builds on Prime Coalition’s decade of experience channeling catalytic capital into climate innovation. Its catalytic investments have already demonstrated powerful leverage effects: its investment into solar company Tandem PV helped unlock critical non-dilutive financing for the company’s first manufacturing facility, while its funding for Nitricity’s first-of-a-kind green fertilizer project accelerated its path to commercial production and helped the company secure its subsequent $50 million Series B round.

Beyond project financing, Trellis also strengthens the systems around climate deployment, developing insurance tools for early technologies, publishing open-source field guides such as the Resources for FOAK Project Preparation & Development (1), and building frameworks for community engagement and equitable project design.

Cilia Holmes Indahl, CEO EQT Foundation: “Trellis Climate shows how philanthropy can move markets. By derisking first-of-a-kind projects, they are paving the way for commercial capital to scale solutions that matter most for people and planet.”

Lara Pierpoint, Managing Director of Trellis Climate: “We’re thrilled to partner with EQT Foundation as we continue to build and scale Trellis Climate. The support of forward-leaning philanthropies like EQT with deep investment expertise is critical to our work advancing climate infrastructure and to the broader climate ecosystem.”

1 ttps://www.primecoalition.org/research/resources-for-foak-project-preparation-and-development

Contact

EQT Press Office

press@eqtpartners.com+46 8 506 55 334

About EQT

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization focused on active ownership strategies. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT has a track record of more than three decades of developing companies across multiple geographies, sectors and strategies. EQT has investment strategies covering all phases of a business’ development, from start-up to maturity. EQT has €‌​​267​‌ billion in total assets under management (€139​‌ billion in fee-generating assets under management) as of 30 September 2025, within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets.

With its roots in the Wallenberg family’s entrepreneurial mindset and philosophy of long-term ownership, EQT is guided by a set of strong values and a distinct corporate culture. EQT manages and advises funds and vehicles that invest across the world with the mission to future-proof companies, generate attractive returns and make a positive impact with everything EQT does.

The EQT AB Group comprises EQT AB (publ) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, which include general partners and fund managers of EQT funds as well as entities advising EQT funds. EQT has offices in more than 25 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas and has more than 1,900 employees.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
Follow EQT on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram

About EQT Foundation

EQT Foundation is a philanthropic organization and long-term shareholder of the global investment organization EQT, founded by partners at EQT. The Foundation supports scientists and entrepreneurs bringing breakthrough solutions from lab to market, combining EQT’s expertise with catalytic investments and grants. With a focus on supporting scientific progress in underfunded areas of climate and health, the Foundation provides a learning platform for EQT employees to develop and work collaboratively across the globe, while engaging in philanthropy and making a positive impact.

EQT Foundation LinkedIn

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Carlyle and AssetMark Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Access to Private Markets for Advisors

Carlyle

New York and Concord, CA – November 18, 2025 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and AssetMark, a leading wealth management platform for independent financial advisors, today announced a strategic partnership as part of AssetMark’s expansion into private markets alongside asset managers Apollo, KKR, and StepStone.

The collaboration combines Carlyle’s global private markets expertise with AssetMark’s integrated wealth platform to bring institutional-quality opportunities to a broader range of investors. Together, the firms aim to broaden advisor access to differentiated strategies that blend scale, innovation, and disciplined investment design.

As part of AssetMark’s new private markets program, the Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (“CTAC”) will be the first Carlyle strategy available through the platform. The fund seeks to provide diversified exposure to private credit and represents an important step in making institutional-quality investments more accessible to the advisor community. A portion of AssetMark’s discretionary assets and dynamic unified managed accounts (“UMA”) will be allocated to private markets through this initiative, helping advisors provide clients a wider range of portfolio solutions.

“This collaboration highlights the growing role of private markets in the evolving global wealth landscape,” said Shane Clifford, Head of Global Wealth at Carlyle. “Advisors are seeking new ways to help clients build more resilient portfolios, and thoughtful partnerships like this make institutional-quality solutions more accessible and actionable. We look forward to working with AssetMark as they continue to create new opportunities for advisors and investors alike.”

“By partnering with Carlyle, AssetMark is removing traditional barriers to private markets – making access practical, scalable, and seamlessly integrated into our unified platform,” said David McNatt, AssetMark EVP and Chief Wealth Solutions Officer. “This empowers advisors to deliver differentiated, strategic advice that preserves and grows client wealth.”

 

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across its business and operates through three segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $474 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,400 people in 27 offices across four continents. Further information is available at carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group and on X at @OneCarlyle.

About AssetMark

AssetMark, Inc. operates a wealth management platform with a mission to help financial advisors and their clients. AssetMark, together with its affiliates AssetMark Trust Company, Voyant, and Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions, serves advisors at every stage of their journey with flexible, purpose-built solutions, powered by its innovative technology platform. The company equips advisors with planning tools, investment solutions, and operational capabilities to help deliver better investor outcomes by enhancing their productivity, profitability, and client satisfaction. Founded in 1996, AssetMark has over 1,100 employees and serves more than 10,500 financial advisors and 318,000 investor households. As of June 30, 2025, the firm had over $148 billion in platform assets. AssetMark is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.assetmark.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Carlyle
Isabelle Jeffrey
+1 212-332-6394
Isabelle.Jeffrey@carlyle.com

 

AssetMark
Jen Deitsch

jen.deitsch@assetmark.com

 

INVESTING IN THE FUND INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK, INCLUDING THE RISK THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE LITTLE OR NO RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT OR THAT YOU MAY LOSE PART OR ALL OF YOUR INVESTMENT. THIS IS A CLOSED-END INTERVAL FUND AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A TYPICAL TRADED INVESTMENT. THE FUND WILL NOT BE LISTED OR TRADED ON ANY STOCK EXCHANGE. LIMITED LIQUIDITY IS PROVIDED TO SHAREHOLDERS ONLY THROUGH THE FUND’S QUARTERLY REPURCHASE OFFERS FOR NO LESS THAN 5% OF THE FUND’S SHARES OUTSTANDING AT NET ASSET VALUE. REGARDLESS OF HOW THE FUND PERFORMS, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE ABLE TO SELL ALL OF THE SHARES THEY DESIRE IN A QUARTERLY REPURCHASE OFFER. THERE CURRENTLY IS NO SECONDARY MARKET FOR THE FUND’S SHARES AND THE FUND EXPECTS THAT NO SECONDARY MARKET WILL DEVELOP. SHARES OF THE FUND WILL NOT BE LISTED ON ANY SECURITIES EXCHANGE, WHICH MAKES THEM INHERENTLY ILLIQUID. LIMITED LIQUIDITY IS PROVIDED TO SHAREHOLDERS ONLY THROUGH THE FUND’S QUARTERLY REPURCHASE OFFERS, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE FUND PERFORMS.

 

The Fund is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

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PCMI Strengthens F&I Platform Leadership with Acquisition of StoneEagle Enterprise Solutions Business Unit

Thomabravo

Acquisition adds StoneEagle’s administration software systems supporting contract and claims management, uniting two organizations with deep industry expertise to advance the F&I ecosystem 

CHICAGO—PCMI, a leading SaaS provider for Finance & Insurance (F&I) product and service contract administration, announced today the acquisition of the Enterprise Solutions Business Unit of StoneEagle. Included in the transaction are administration software systems supporting contract and claims management. This move unites two teams with long-standing roles in advancing administration technology across the F&I ecosystem and aligns with PCMI’s long-term growth strategy following its investment by Thoma Bravo.

The acquisition is specific to StoneEagle’s Enterprise Solutions Business Unit. StoneEagle’s Retail Business Unit including reporting, analytics, menu, and service drive products will continue operating independently under StoneEagle.

Effective January 1, 2026, PCMI will implement the following leadership transitions to support our next phase of growth following the acquisition. Chief Executive Officer and Founder Mark Nagelvoort will be elevated to Executive Chairman where he will focus on long-term strategy, M&A opportunities, and deepening key relationships across the F&I ecosystem. President Clyde Owen will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, responsible for day-to-day company operations, market execution, and organizational alignment.

“Both PCMI and StoneEagle have held influential roles in shaping how F&I administration has evolved,” said Mark Nagelvoort, Executive Chairman of PCMI. “By uniting our experience, we are better positioned to define the next generation of administration technology and introduce new ideas that create lasting value for the industry.”

“This strengthens PCMI’s foundation for the future,” said Clyde Owen, Chief Executive Officer of PCMI. “We see meaningful opportunity to continue to modernize technology, streamline workflows, and help customers scale with confidence.”

“The Enterprise Solutions Business Unit has played an important role in delivering trusted administration capabilities to the industry,” said Cindy Allen, CEO of StoneEagle. “We’re confident PCMI is the right organization to carry this work forward, ensuring customers continue to benefit from strong expertise, thoughtful innovation, and a seamless transition.”

About PCMI, LLC.

Founded in 2012, PCMI is a global SaaS company delivering cloud-based administration software for the automotive F&I industry. Our PCRS platform unifies contract and claims administration into a single, modern system bringing automation, real-time data, and a more connected experience to teams across the F&I ecosystem. With more than 200 employees across North America, Europe, and Asia, PCMI helps administrators, dealers, OEMs, and lenders work smarter, scale faster, and deliver stronger results for their customers.

About StoneEagle

StoneEagle is the automotive industry’s premier source for data intelligence and technology innovation, delivering the insights and connected solutions that power smarter decisions and better outcomes across F&I, sales, and service. Backed by more than 35 years of proven expertise, StoneEagle continues to redefine how the industry leverages data to streamline operations, elevate customer experiences, and accelerate growth. StoneEagle — Making Lives Better Through Smart, Innovative Solutions That Drive Success.

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Azul Announces Strategic Investment from Thoma Bravo

Thomabravo

Investment to accelerate growth and innovation of the world’s most trusted enterprise Java platform

Existing investors Vitruvian Partners and Lead Edge Capital to make new investments and retain significant minority stakes in Azul

SUNNYVALE, Calif. and MIAMI—Azul, the only company 100% focused on Java, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to receive a majority strategic investment from Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm. As part of the transaction, Azul’s existing investors Vitruvian Partners and Lead Edge Capital will be reinvesting significant new capital and will retain minority stakes alongside Azul’s employees.

Azul provides industry-leading Java runtime solutions that deliver superior performance, security, and cost efficiency for enterprise applications. Its products – Platform Core, Platform Prime, the company’s high-performance Java platform, and Intelligence Cloud – help organizations run Java workloads faster, safer and more economically across hybrid and cloud environments. Azul’s growing customer base includes 36% of the Fortune 100 and the world’s ten largest banks, as well as many other highly regarded global businesses. This strategic investment from Thoma Bravo will support Azul’s continued growth to meet the rising demand for high-performance Java platforms, scale its engineering efforts, accelerate innovation in runtime performance, observability and security tooling, and expand its reach in global enterprise and cloud markets.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Thoma Bravo at this exciting time for our company and the Java ecosystem,” said Scott Sellers, co-founder and CEO of Azul. “Thoma Bravo brings the scale, resources, and expertise that align seamlessly with Azul’s vision and aspirations, strengthening our confidence in the significant growth opportunities ahead. We are grateful for their investment as well as for the continued backing from Vitruvian and Lead Edge. Together, we’ll accelerate our global growth, advance innovation across our platforms and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

“As enterprises move away from legacy Java offerings and face rising cloud infrastructure costs, demand for Azul’s enterprise-ready, scalable, secure and cost-efficient Java solutions has never been stronger,” said Adam Solomon, a partner at Thoma Bravo.

“Azul’s superior technology foundation and talented and established team position the company for accelerated growth at this dynamic time in the Java market. We are excited to support Azul as they build on their impressive history of growth and leadership,” added Chandler Gay, a vice president at Thoma Bravo.

“We’re very proud of the partnership we have formed with the Azul executive team to help deliver strong and consistent global growth over the past five years and are delighted to continue supporting Azul in its next chapter,” said Sophie Bower-Straziota, partner at Vitruvian Partners. “We are excited to welcome Thoma Bravo as Azul’s new majority owner and to deepen our commitment as Azul builds on its track record of exceptional results and success and pursues the significant opportunities ahead.”

Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal advisor and William Blair is serving as financial advisor to Thoma Bravo. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor and Guggenheim Securities, LLC is serving as financial advisor to Azul. Debt financing for the transaction is being provided by funds affiliated with Ares Management LLC.

About Azul Systems (“Azul”)

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Azul provides the Java platform for the modern cloud enterprise. Azul is the only company 100% focused on Java. Millions of Java developers, hundreds of millions of devices and the world’s most highly regarded businesses trust Azul to power their applications with exceptional capabilities, performance, security, value, and success. Azul customers include 36% of the Fortune 100, 50% of Forbes top 10 World’s Most Valuable Brands,10 of the world’s top 10 banks and leading brands like Avaya, Bazaarvoice, BMW, Deutsche Telekom, LG, Mastercard, Mizuho, Priceline, Salesforce, Software AG, and Workday. Learn more at azul.com and follow us @azulsystems.

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest software-focused investors in the world, with over US$181 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. Through its private equity and credit strategies, the firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging Thoma Bravo’s deep sector knowledge and strategic and operational expertise, the firm collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices and drive growth initiatives. Over the past 20+ years, the firm has acquired or invested in approximately 555 companies representing approximately US$285 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). The firm has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit Thoma Bravo’s website at thomabravo.com.

About Vitruvian Partners

Vitruvian Partners is a global growth-focused investor with offices across London, Miami, San Francisco, Stockholm, Munich, Madrid, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Singapore and Shanghai. Vitruvian focuses on dynamic situations characterized by rapid growth and change across asset-light industries. Vitruvian has over $20 billion of active funds which have backed many leaders in their sectors, including Just Eat, Arrive, Skyscanner, Marqeta, Wise, Global-e, CFC, Darktrace, and Bitdefender. Further information can be found at www.vitruvianpartners.com.

About Lead Edge Capital

Lead Edge Capital is a $5 billion growth equity firm investing in software, internet, and tech-enabled businesses globally. The firm has invested in a number of major software and internet companies around the world, including Alibaba Group, Arrive Logistics, Asana, Azul Systems, Bazaarvoice, Benchling, Clearscore, Duo Security, Grafana, GrowthZone, Holistiplan, LeanStaffing, LiveView Technologies, Pacemate, Safesend, Signal Sciences, Tempo, Toast, Wise, and YouSign. One of the main drivers of Lead Edge’s success is its unique investor base, a network of 700+ executives, entrepreneurs, and dealmakers who have built and run some of the world’s most successful companies. In addition to providing flexible capital, Lead Edge leverages this global advisory group to connect portfolio companies with the customers, partners, talent, and advisors needed to accelerate growth. Lead Edge Capital was founded in 2011 and has offices in New York City, London and Santa Barbara.

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Keen Venture Partners launched the European Defence and Security Fund

Keen

Today, Keen Venture Partners announces that it has completed the ‘first close’ of its European defence and security technology fund. The fund has raised more than €150 million and is now the largest defence-tech venture capital fund in Europe. Keen is fully operational and deploying capital into startups and scale-ups, building defence and security technology in European NATO countries.

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The Urgent Need for European Strategic Autonomy

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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte made clear that Europe can no longer wait to strengthen its own defence capabilities. Investing more in European technology is essential for achieving strategic autonomy.

  • The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that scalable, software-driven technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, now significantly impact effectiveness on the modern battlefield.
  • European startups are also building these technologies.
  • Yet only one quarter of European defence procurement budgets currently stays within the EU.
  • As a result, innovators lack both capital and access to initial defence customers.

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Private and Institutional Investors Stepped Up

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The ‘first close’ was made possible by commitments from private individuals and institutional investors who recognise the urgency of strengthening Europe’s defence-tech ecosystem.

  • The European Investment Fund (EIF) and pension fund PME each committed €40 million.
  • Keen is the first European VC fund to receive a commitment from the EIF under its new €175 million Defence Investment Programme.
  • Other investors include TNO, the Netherlands’ largest applied research organization with deep expertise in defence and deep tech, and ABN AMRO, signalling strong support from the broader financial ecosystem.
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“With the first close completed, we are firing on all cylinders,” say Alexander Ribbink and Giuseppe Lacerenza, partners at Keen Venture Partners. “We have institutional backing from the EIF and PME, and an advisory board with deep experience in both military operations and defence policy. Europe has the talent, the technology and the ambition. What was missing was capital and access to launching defence customers. That is the gap we are closing.”

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“Our message to entrepreneurs is clear: If you are building technology that can make a difference on the modern battlefield or strengthen the resilience and deterrence of Europe, we need to talk. This is about adding entrepreneurs to Europe’s defence-tech ecosystem and building a stronger, more innovative Europe together.”

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Capital Ready to Be Deployed

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Keen backs companies that develop dual-use technology as well as defence-first companies building critical capabilities directly for defence.

  • Fund Focus Areas: cybersecurity, autonomous systems, deterrence technologies, and space applications.
  • Investment Strategy: Keen aims to invest in more than 25 companies from seed to Series B, with the emphasis on Series A.
  • Investment Size: Investments ranging from €1 to €10 million.
  • Previous Investments: EclecticIQ, Intelic (formerly Avalor AI), and Perciv AI.

Keen expects extensive collaboration and co-investment with other European VC firms over the coming years. To support this next phase of growth, Keen is ramping up the team and hiring additional investment professionals.

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Pike Corporation to Accelerate Growth through Partnership with TPG, La Caisse and Management

LaCaisse
Partnership will support grid modernization and climate adaptation for U.S. electric utilities

TPG, a leading global alternative asset manager, and global investment group La Caisse (formerly CDPQ), today announced that they have partnered with the management team of Pike Corporation, a leading national provider of turnkey infrastructure engineering and construction solutions for the electrical grid, and signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Pike.

TPG will invest in Pike through TPG Rise Climate, the firm’s dedicated climate investing platform, with La Caisse investing alongside TPG for a significant minority interest. J. Eric Pike, third-generation founder and Chairman of Pike, and James R. Wyche, Chief Executive Officer of Pike, also are investing alongside TPG and La Caisse with other existing investors. Following completion of the transaction, the company will continue to be led by Mr. Wyche and the current management team, which combined have over 200 years at Pike. Mr. Pike will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Pike’s legacy as a family-founded company has been defined by safety, integrity and innovative solutions,” said J. Eric Pike, Chairman of Pike. “Our success has been a direct result of the dedication of our team, our long-tenured customers and the support of our investors. I am excited to continue supporting the company with our new partners.”

“TPG’s and La Caisse’s investments mark an exciting new chapter for Pike and provide us with the resources to execute our shared vision for Pike as the leading national provider for energy infrastructure solutions,” said James R. Wyche, CEO of Pike. “I look forward to working with TPG, La Caisse and our other stakeholders to continue helping our customers achieve their goal of providing affordable, reliable energy.”

Founded in 1945, Pike Corporation is among the nation’s leading providers of turn-key infrastructure solutions, including construction and engineering for electric distribution, transmission and substation; renewables and distributed energy resources; and telecommunications services. With approximately 12,000 employees serving over 400 customers, Pike plays a foundational role in building and maintaining critical infrastructure and addressing the demands of aging infrastructure, load growth, and climate-driven stress facing the electric grid.

“As the U.S. power grid faces rising demand, aging infrastructure, and increased exposure to extreme weather, Pike is uniquely positioned to help utilities adapt, modernize, and harden their systems,” said Jonathan Garfinkel, a Managing Partner of TPG Rise Climate. “We see a long-term growth opportunity for grid services providers in the US and we look forward to partnering with the Pike team – well-established leaders in the industry – to advance grid resilience and energy reliability across the country,” added TPG Rise Climate’s Elizabeth Stone Redding.

“Pike helps keep the power on and the grid strong—an essential service for businesses and communities across the United States,” said Martin Longchamps, Executive Vice-President and Head of Private Equity and Private Credit at La Caisse. “As a global investor with significant exposure to the power and energy sector, La Caisse understands the critical role service providers like Pike play in ensuring grid reliability and resilience. Together with TPG, we’re investing in the growth of a proven leader supporting the backbone of the country’s energy network.”

Moelis & Company LLC is serving as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP is acting as financing counsel to TPG in relation to this transaction. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is providing legal counsel to TPG and A&O Shearman is serving as legal advisor to La Caisse. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as Pike’s financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel.

ABOUT TPG RISE CLIMATE

TPG Rise Climate is the dedicated climate investing platform of TPG, a leading global alternative asset management firm. With dedicated pools of capital across private equity, transition infrastructure, and the Global South, TPG Rise Climate pursues climate-related investments that benefit from the diverse skills of TPG’s investing professionals around the world, the strategic relationships and insights developed across TPG’s broad portfolio of climate companies, and a global network of executives, advisors, and corporate partners. As part of TPG’s $29 billion global impact investing platform, TPG Rise Climate invests broadly across the climate sector, with a focus on building and scaling leading climate solutions across the following thematic areas: clean electrons, clean molecules and materials, and adaptive solutions.

For more information, please visit www.tpg.com/platforms/impact/rise-climate

ABOUT LA CAISSE

At La Caisse, formerly CDPQ, we have invested for 60 years with a dual mandate: generate optimal long term returns for our 48 depositors, who represent over 6 million Quebecers, and contribute to Québec’s economic development.

As a global investment group, we are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private credit. As at June 30, 2025, La Caisse’s net assets totalled CAD 496 billion. For more information, visit lacaisse.com or consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages.

La Caisse is a registered trademark of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec that is protected in Canada and other jurisdictions and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

ABOUT PIKE

Founded in 1945, Pike Corporation is the nation’s leading provider of infrastructure engineering and construction services. Pike’s portfolio of expertise provides end-to-end infrastructure coverage, including electric distribution, transmission and substation; renewables and distributed energy resources; telecommunications; and gas distribution services. In the rapidly evolving and increasingly connected world that we live in, Pike’s ability to plan, design and install infrastructure upgrades within a single enterprise ensures that our customers get the most up-to-date solutions delivered in the most effective way possible. Not only does our approach and field expertise maximize project efficiency, but it also leads to the industry’s highest-quality work. We have maintained long-standing, trusted customer relationships with over 400 investor-owned, municipal and cooperative utilities and infrastructure providers throughout the United States.

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Anders Invest has acquired a stake in Straatman

Anders Invest

Anders Invest has acquired a 51% stake in Straatman, a manufacturer of balcony railings and balustrades from Varsseveld. The company has an annual turnover of €20 to €25 million and employs nearly 100 people.

Straatman Building Smart Connections, founded in 1991, specializes in balustrades and stairs for apartment complexes. The Varsseveld-based company designs, manufactures, and installs customized solutions in series that combine safety, innovation, and visual appeal.

By digitizing and automating every step in the process as much as possible, from 3D engineering to production, the company succeeds in realizing tightly managed construction processes with short installation times on site. This expertise makes the company particularly strong in apartment complexes where large quantities and varieties must be built within a short timeframe. Since 2017, turnover has tripled and the company has increased its market share, particularly with large Dutch construction companies.

Anders Invest holds a 51% stake alongside the two existing shareholders. Albert ten Wolde (59), involved with Straatman since 1999, is the driving force behind innovation and product development. Bart Peters (39) joined the company in 2006 as a project engineer and subsequently held various key roles within the company. He excels at optimizing processes and strengthening teams and will take on the role of Managing Director. Together, Albert and Bart combine innovative strength with a sharp focus on scalability and productivity. Anders Invest’s participation will enable the company to continue fulfilling its growth ambitions in the long term.

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