International
Edition 63 · Week 43
EDITION
HOT SELLER THIS WEEK
- On 24 October French AI company Mistral agreed to acquire UK design company New Material, adding more design and user experience skills to its AI business. The deal shows that AI companies are also buying creative and consulting businesses to make their technology easier for companies to use. HPC can source similar design, consulting and technology businesses for international buyers.
- Energy investors continue to buy businesses connected to renewable power, electricity networks and energy storage as countries need more reliable and cleaner energy. Recent deals in the UK include investors buying wind, solar, battery and hydrogen assets. HPC can source renewable energy companies, project developers and specialist suppliers for investors and strategic buyers.
- On 24 October UK wealth manager Foster Denovo was reported to be exploring a possible sale. The company manages about £2.2 billion for clients and has grown strongly since receiving investment to fund acquisitions. HPC can identify other wealth managers, financial advisers and investment businesses looking for buyers or new investors.
- The UK Government has announced plans for a £100 million AI biosecurity laboratory designed to study how artificial intelligence can be used safely in biological research. OpenAI and Anthropic are also expected to provide significant AI support. HPC can connect specialist AI, cybersecurity, research and laboratory businesses with government projects and international partners.
- On 24 October OpenAI acquired Orchestra Bio, a company using artificial intelligence to improve the drug development process. The deal shows that major technology companies are moving deeper into healthcare and life sciences. HPC can source smaller medical technology, drug development, laboratory and healthcare AI businesses for technology companies and investors.
- Companies expanding in AI, healthcare technology, energy and data centres need more engineers, developers, researchers and other specialist workers. This creates opportunities for recruitment and staffing companies that already have access to skilled people. HPC can connect specialist recruitment businesses with technology companies and international groups that need to expand their teams.
- Tractian has raised $130 million at a valuation of about $1.4 billion for technology that uses AI and sensors to monitor machinery and prevent factory breakdowns. The business is working with manufacturers, utilities and other large organisations. HPC can source similar industrial technology and manufacturing businesses for investors and strategic buyers.
- The rapid expansion of AI is increasing demand for electricity, data centres, cooling systems, batteries and backup power. Companies with access to power or specialist infrastructure are becoming increasingly important to technology groups and investors. HPC can source data centre sites, power projects, energy storage businesses and infrastructure suppliers for international buyers.
- As governments introduce more rules around artificial intelligence, companies need help with data protection, security, risk and regulatory compliance. Specialist firms that can provide these services are becoming attractive acquisition targets for larger professional services groups. HPC can source compliance, legal technology and risk businesses for investors and strategic buyers.
- On 23 October Goldman Sachs Alternatives agreed to buy a majority stake in UK testing and compliance group Celnor, while existing management and investor Inflexion will remain involved. The deal shows continued private equity interest in specialist compliance and testing businesses. HPC can source similar companies for private equity firms, corporate buyers and international investors.
- The London Stock Exchange Group's $3.54 billion purchase of Octus shows how much buyers are willing to pay for specialist financial information and research. Octus provides data about credit markets and companies facing financial problems. HPC can source smaller data, research and analytics companies for banks, investment firms and technology groups.
- Companies are increasingly buying marketing businesses that combine advertising, customer data and artificial intelligence. Recent acquisitions in AI marketing show that larger technology groups want specialist teams and technology that can improve customer communication. HPC can source digital agencies, marketing technology businesses and advertising companies for strategic buyers.
- AI companies need large buildings with strong electricity supplies, cooling systems and high speed network connections. This is creating new opportunities for landowners, developers and property investors that can provide suitable sites. HPC can connect data centre developers with landowners, construction companies, power providers and investors.
- Investors are still putting large amounts of money into AI companies that have useful products and strong commercial customers. Recent funding includes $130 million for industrial AI company Tractian and major investment activity across healthcare, financial technology and AI infrastructure. HPC can identify promising startups seeking investment, buyers or international market access.
- On 24 October Rocket Software acquired Geniez AI to improve its artificial intelligence tools for older computer systems used by large financial institutions and other businesses. The deal shows that buyers are looking for practical AI companies that solve specific business problems. HPC can source specialist AI, software and data companies for larger technology groups.
- International investors continue to buy hotels and hospitality assets in major tourism markets, with recent transactions including the sale of the Lake Como EDITION hotel to Thailand's Sansiri Capital. These deals show continued demand for high quality hotels in established destinations. HPC can source hotels, resorts, travel businesses and leisure assets for international investors and buyers.
Sector stories & insights.
Universities and Training Providers Seek Partners to Fund AI Labs and Shared Computing
Demand for AI skills keeps growing, but the cost of labs, safe digital campuses and computing power is high. Universities are looking for partners who can share that 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 $15 million.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture and Nestlé are working together to raise coffee yields for farmers in Northern Mindanao. Farming and nature projects that cut emissions or protect land 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 $10 million.
Peso Logs a Fresh Record Low of 63.615 per Dollar as the PSEi Falls to 5,728 After a Rate Hike
The Philippine stock index dropped on the rate hike and a weaker peso. BPI's nine month profit slipped to 48.9 billion pesos, while UnionBank's jumped 53% to 9.9 billion pesos and Landbank's rose 7.6% in the third quarter. The SSS also made its first overseas investment. Banks and investors 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 $80 million.
Philippines and Japan's JBIC Forge a Three Year Infrastructure Partnership
The Department of Finance and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation have agreed a three year partnership on infrastructure. Governments are leaning on partners to fund roads, rail and power, which opens the door to public and private projects.
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 $100 million.
A new feature looks at how local leadership is shaping the country's push for universal health care. Hospitals and health tech firms 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 $40 million.
With higher prices and tighter budgets, companies are looking at smarter ways to find, train and keep staff.
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 $8 million.
The government has set the wheat support price at Rs4,500 per maund, which will affect farmers, millers and food supply chains. Food makers, millers and logistics firms are looking for finance, storage 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 $60 million.
Leghari told the distribution companies, known as Discos, not to bill customers arbitrarily, as the cost of doing business, including electricity and fuel, sits at its highest level. Developers of power, solar and storage 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 $100 million.
Companies Tighten Rules on Billing, Reporting and Consumer Protection
As regulators and customers push back on unfair charges, firms need clear advice on contracts, billing practices and disclosure.
HPC brokers the acquisition of, and partnerships with, compliance, regtech and legal services providers. We earn a 3% success fee on deals of around $10 million.
The Gokongwei conglomerate plans to acquire the shares from one of its own units. Companies, banks and funds are weighing deals, listings and exits.
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 $100 million.
Higher flour prices pushed weekly inflation up. Brands, retailers and food companies 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 $8 million.
Broadcasters, streamers and creators are looking for money and partners to reach bigger audiences across Asia and beyond.
HPC arranges equity investments, content licensing and merger transactions for media businesses. Our success fee is 3% on deals of about $15 million.
Developers Seek Land, Partners and Long Term Funding for Housing and Mixed Use Schemes
Developers and investors are looking for land, joint venture partners and long term funding as borrowing costs and currencies move.
HPC connects developers with funders, landowners and offtake partners, and structures the joint ventures. We take a 2% success fee on projects of around $50 million.
The money transfer startup unveiled a major expansion on 24 October alongside a new brand, Ambition Has No Passport. Founders 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 $15 million.
A startup news roundup this week points to new Meta AI releases, including the Muse agent and Muse Spark 1.3. 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 $100 million.
The Palawan city wants more business events, conferences and exhibitions. Hotels, venues and tour operators are looking for fresh capital, new partners and buyers.
HPC arranges sales, recapitalisations and management agreements for hospitality assets. We take a 3% success fee on deals of around $30 million.