International
Edition 63 · Week 43
EDITION
HOT SELLER THIS WEEK
- On 22 October London based Cognitive Credit received $40 million from Summit Partners to expand its corporate debt information and research business. The company plans to grow in the US and other markets. HPC can source financial data, credit research, wealth management and specialist finance businesses for investors and larger financial groups.
- A UK specialist AI business that helps government and public safety organisations understand information, online risks and changing public opinion is available for sale. The business has annual sales below £500,000 but works in an important area where governments and large organisations need better technology. HPC can introduce suitable technology buyers, investors and government focused partners.
- On 22 October healthcare innovation businesses continued to attract international interest, with Redesign Health agreeing to combine with ARC Global, a healthcare innovation group connected to Israel's Sheba Medical Center. The businesses help hospitals and healthcare professionals turn problems into new products and services. HPC can source healthcare technology, medical services and healthcare innovation businesses for international buyers.
- Companies investing in AI, engineering, energy and financial technology need more people with specialist skills. Businesses expanding into new countries also need recruitment companies that can find and manage these workers. HPC can connect specialist recruitment and HR businesses with growing technology, engineering and infrastructure companies looking for skilled staff.
- On 22 October US based Tractian raised $130 million and reached a valuation of about $1.4 billion. Its technology uses AI and sensors to monitor factory machinery and warn companies before equipment breaks down. HPC can source similar industrial technology, manufacturing and supply chain businesses for investors, manufacturers and larger industrial groups.
- AI companies need large amounts of computing power and electricity, which is increasing demand for data centres, power systems and energy storage. Businesses that can provide reliable electricity, cooling, backup power and computing infrastructure are becoming more valuable. HPC can connect these companies with data centre developers, investors and technology groups.
- Companies are dealing with more rules around AI, data, financial risk and online security. Businesses that help organisations monitor risks, protect information and follow regulations can therefore become attractive acquisition targets. HPC can source specialist compliance, risk, legal information and regulatory businesses for professional services groups and investors.
- Large financial groups are continuing to buy companies that own valuable data and specialist information. The recent multi billion pound LSEG purchase of Octus shows how much buyers can pay for businesses with trusted data and strong customers. HPC can source smaller financial data, research and information companies for banks, investment firms and strategic buyers.
- Businesses that collect, organise and analyse useful information are becoming more valuable as companies use AI to make faster decisions. Financial, customer and industrial data businesses can be sold to much larger groups looking to improve their own services. HPC can find research and analytics companies that are looking for investment, buyers or international expansion.
- Marketing agencies are increasingly adding data, software and AI services to their businesses because clients want better results from advertising. This is creating opportunities for smaller marketing agencies and technology companies to join larger groups. HPC can source digital agencies, advertising technology businesses and data companies for buyers looking to expand.
- The rapid growth of AI is creating demand for land, buildings and specialist property that can support large data centres. Developers also need power, cooling, construction and network connections before these sites can become operational. HPC can connect landowners and developers with technology companies, infrastructure investors, contractors and energy providers.
- Tractian raised $130 million on 22 October, giving the industrial AI company a valuation of about $1.4 billion. Its technology helps factories and other large businesses predict machinery problems before they cause expensive downtime. HPC can identify similar AI startups that need funding, buyers, strategic partners or international market access.
- AI computing is creating opportunities for companies that provide GPUs, cloud computing, software and data centre services. A recent acquisition of a GPU cloud provider shows that companies are willing to buy specialist businesses to enter this fast growing market. HPC can source AI software, cloud, GPU and data businesses for technology groups and investors.
- Travel technology remains an active area for investment, with larger travel groups looking to buy specialist companies that can improve booking, hotel management and business travel services. The recent acquisition of American Express Global Business Travel for $6.3 billion also shows the size of the market. HPC can source travel agencies, hotel technology companies, travel platforms and leisure businesses for international buyers.
Sector stories & insights.
AI Stocks Slide, but Demand for AI Skills Keeps Universities Searching for Partners
A deep selloff in AI shares this week has not removed the need for AI labs, safe digital campuses and shared computing power. Universities and training providers are looking for partners to share the cost.
HPC acts as the broker between these institutions and technology vendors, education investors and research funders. We structure and negotiate the partnership, and earn a success fee of 3% on a transaction value of about $20 million.
Average American Feels 48 Days of Eco Guilt a Year as Shoppers Want Easy Ethical Choices
Newsweek reports that people want to make ethical choices without working hard for them. Brands and projects that cut emissions or protect nature are looking for verified buyers and investors.
HPC connects project developers with credible offset purchasers and impact investors, handles the deal structure and due diligence, and takes a 3% success fee on credit sales and offtake agreements of roughly $15 million.
Treasuries Stage Their Biggest Rally in Over Two Years as Investors Flee the AI Trade
The US 10 year yield fell 17 basis points on Thursday and traded at 4.96% on Friday, markets priced out more than 20 basis points of Fed tightening, and gold slipped below $4,000 for the first time since July. Asian stocks slid for a fourth week in a row, and French market turmoil added to demand for safe assets. Banks and funds are looking for partners to manage risk and raise fresh capital.
HPC introduces investors to banks, asset managers and wealth firms and arranges minority stake sales and joint ventures. Our fee is 2.5% of closed transaction value, on deals of about $100 million.
Ambassador Xie Feng told Newsweek that the US and China can avoid an AI arms race and an iron curtain on technology. Governments are racing to set the rules for AI, which opens the door to public and private partnerships.
HPC matches infrastructure sponsors, contractors and lenders with qualifying public private partnership opportunities, supports bid positioning, and earns a 2% success fee on financed projects of around $150 million.
Global Healthcare Groups Seek Capital for Hospitals, Diagnostics and Digital Health
Hospital operators, drug makers and health tech firms around the world are raising money to grow and want partners they can trust.
HPC brokers acquisitions, equity raises and technology partnerships between healthcare operators and specialist investors. We take a 3% success fee on transactions of about $50 million.
Many people worry that AI could replace white collar jobs such as lawyers, accountants and coders, and in India some workers are now training the systems that may take over their roles. Employers are rethinking hiring, reskilling and recruitment partnerships.
HPC brokers the sale and merger of recruitment, training and talent platforms, and introduces workforce providers to large employers. Our fee is 3.5% of deal value on transactions near $10 million.
The Australian miner says it may cut output if the standoff over iron ore in China continues, while the wider commodity complex fell on Friday as the AI selloff drained risk appetite. Miners, steelmakers and shipping firms are looking for finance, equipment and partners.
HPC places manufacturers and logistics investors into industrial projects and arranges the joint venture or lease terms. We charge a 2.5% success fee on deals of around $100 million.
Oil Heads for a Third Weekly Gain as Attacks on Saudi Arabia Raise Supply Fears
Brent traded around $113 to $114 a barrel on Friday, a five month high, after Houthi militants claimed attacks on the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu and deadly strikes on an oil field and an airport. Reports that the US and Israel are planning fresh strikes on Iran after the midterms added to the worry. Developers of power, solar, storage and fuel projects are lining up money and buyers.
HPC introduces equity and debt providers to project sponsors and negotiates offtake and financing terms. Our success fee is 2% on projects of about $250 million.
Coupang Chairman Gave Improper Orders After a Worker Death, South Korea Finds
South Korea's labour ministry confirmed that Chairman Kim Bom Suk gave improper orders in the case of a worker's death at Coupang, but said criminal punishment is difficult because the time limit has passed. Companies need clear advice on workplace safety, evidence rules and governance.
HPC brokers the acquisition of, and partnerships with, compliance, regtech and legal services providers. We earn a 3% success fee on deals of around $20 million.
The idea of joining two of the world's best known companies is under discussion. Companies, banks and funds are weighing deals, listings and exits as markets stay jumpy.
HPC sources targets, qualifies buyers and manages the process from first introduction to signing. Our fee is 2% of enterprise value on transactions of about $300 million.
General Mills Shares Drop as Shoppers Look for More Value in What They Buy
The food giant's stock fell as consumers hunt for better value. Brands and retailers want clear data on what shoppers are buying and why.
HPC brokers acquisitions and licensing arrangements between analytics providers and enterprise buyers. We take a 3.5% success fee on deals near $15 million.
The Australian broadcaster announced on Friday that its business show will end after this year. Media firms, producers and creators are looking for investors and distribution partners.
HPC arranges equity investments, content licensing and merger transactions for media businesses. Our success fee is 3% on deals of about $25 million.
Big Tech Data Centres Reshape a Drought Stricken Region of Northeast Spain
American companies are looking at a dry corner of northeast Spain as a location for data centres. Developers and investors are looking for land, joint venture partners and long term funding.
HPC connects developers with funders, landowners and offtake partners, and structures the joint ventures. We take a 2% success fee on projects of around $120 million.
With investors moving out of one of the year's hottest themes, startups are looking for their next funding round or a smart exit.
HPC brokers funding rounds and acquisitions between startups and investors. Our fee is 3% of capital raised on rounds of about $20 million.
Chip Rout Spreads Across Asia as KOSDAQ Falls 3.5% Despite Western Digital's 55% Sales Jump
Western Digital said quarterly revenue rose about 55% to $4.38 billion on AI storage demand and guided above forecasts, yet its shares still fell after hours. South Korea's Kospi was heading for its weakest close since early April. Data centre firms, chipmakers and cloud providers are looking for money and anchor customers.
HPC brokers capacity deals, joint ventures and infrastructure financings between operators and investors. Our success fee is 2.5% on transactions of about $150 million.
Deadly Attacks on a Saudi Airport and Oil Field Raise Fears for Gulf Travel
Houthi militants have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, hitting a Red Sea port, an oil field and an airport. Airlines, hotels and tour operators are looking for fresh capital, new partners and buyers as routes and plans change.
HPC arranges sales, recapitalisations and management agreements for hospitality assets. We take a 3% success fee on deals of around $40 million.