International
Edition 64 · Week 44
EDITION
HOT SELLER THIS WEEK
- UK education startup Nuuri has raised £550,000 to develop its business. The new funding gives the company capital to expand its product and customer base. HPC can source education technology companies, training providers and specialist education businesses looking for investors, buyers or international partners.
- Blue Planet Environmental Solutions has acquired UK waste management company Recycle Force as it expands its circular economy business. The deal shows continued interest in recycling, waste management and environmental services. HPC can source waste, recycling, renewable energy and sustainability businesses for international buyers and investors.
- Ares Capital has agreed to acquire MidCap Financial Investment Corporation in a transaction valued at about $2.6 billion. The deal will expand Ares Capital's direct lending platform and middle market financing business. HPC can source smaller lenders, wealth managers, private credit firms and financial services businesses for strategic buyers and investors.
- Governments and large organisations are increasing spending on cybersecurity as AI creates new types of digital threats. New investment into cybersecurity companies is creating opportunities for specialist businesses that can protect sensitive data and infrastructure. HPC can source cybersecurity, defence technology and government technology businesses for investors and strategic partners.
- RadNet has agreed to acquire ONRAD, adding a teleradiology and hospital staffing platform serving more than 225 hospitals. ONRAD is expected to add up to $200 million of annual revenue to RadNet after the deal closes. HPC can source radiology, diagnostics, medical staffing and healthcare technology businesses for international buyers.
- Avante has raised $30 million to expand its AI platform for global employee benefits teams. The company is using technology to help businesses manage benefits and employee services across different markets. HPC can source HR technology, employee benefits and specialist recruitment businesses for investors and larger HR groups.
- Arlington Capital Partners has acquired UK photonics company Gooch & Housego, which supplies advanced optical components for defence, industrial and life sciences markets. The transaction highlights demand for specialist engineering and manufacturing businesses with important technology. HPC can source photonics, electronics, precision engineering and industrial companies for strategic buyers.
- General Compute has raised $100 million to build an inference cloud using GPUs and specialised AI chips, with more than 50 MW of capacity in its pipeline. The investment shows how quickly demand is growing for computing infrastructure needed to run AI applications. HPC can source data centre sites, power projects, GPU infrastructure and specialist technology suppliers for investors.
- Guidewire has agreed to acquire London based hyperexponential for $1.7 billion in cash, with up to another $400 million linked to future revenue. Hyperexponential provides AI software for insurance underwriting and pricing, where regulatory and risk controls are critical. HPC can source insurance technology, regulatory technology and compliance businesses for larger professional services and technology groups.
- Guidewire has agreed to buy hyperexponential for $1.7 billion plus up to $400 million in additional consideration. The acquisition shows how large technology companies are willing to pay significant amounts for specialist AI businesses with strong customers and recurring revenue. HPC can identify similar UK and international technology companies that could become acquisition targets.
- OIN Labs has launched a platform that combines AI and human expertise to help companies decide which businesses and customer groups to target for acquisition and growth. The launch shows increasing demand for data driven decision making in marketing and M&A. HPC can source market research, business intelligence and analytics companies with specialist data assets.
- OIN Labs has launched technology designed to help direct response marketers identify which customers and businesses to target and when to scale campaigns. The platform combines data, modelling and audience intelligence. HPC can source marketing technology, customer data businesses and specialist agencies that could be acquired or expanded internationally.
- Sunday PropTech is acquiring Fletcher Hotels, a major hospitality group operating around 170 hotels across the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. The transaction highlights continued consolidation of hotel portfolios and opportunities to grow through acquisitions. HPC can source hotel groups, individual properties and hospitality portfolios looking for buyers or investment.
- General Compute has raised $100 million in Series A funding to build an AI inference cloud using specialised computing hardware. The company already has more than 50 MW of capacity planned and is targeting businesses that need high performance AI computing. HPC can source AI infrastructure startups and other high growth technology companies seeking investment or strategic partners.
- Intel has agreed to acquire Israeli quantum computing software company Classiq to build a full stack quantum computing platform. The transaction is expected to strengthen Intel's position in quantum technology and shows how major technology companies are buying specialist AI and quantum businesses to accelerate their development. HPC can source deep tech, quantum computing, semiconductor and advanced software companies for strategic buyers.
- Sunday PropTech has agreed to acquire Fletcher Hotels, which operates 170 hotels across the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. The deal gives the buyer a large existing hotel platform and further expansion opportunities in European hospitality. HPC can source independent hotel groups, resorts and leisure properties that could attract larger hospitality investors.
Sector stories & insights.
Business leaders in Cebu met to plan the city's next phase of growth. Companies, universities and training providers are looking for advisers and partners who can help them share the cost of skills, AI tools and expansion.
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.
Robinsons Malls Named Energy Efficiency Champion at the Inaugural Philippine Energy Awards
The mall group won the title for cutting its reliance on grid electricity. Projects that cut emissions 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.
The Philippine peso broke through the 64 per dollar level on 28 October, and Metrobank marked six years as the country's Strongest Bank. Banks and investors are looking for partners to manage currency 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.
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates steady even after September inflation came in hotter than expected, with the 10 year Treasury yield at about 5.02%. The European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan announce their decisions later this week. Governments and central banks are under pressure from high prices, 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.
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 $10 million.
Cebu's business community is preparing to expand again, which could bring new demand for factories, warehouses and logistics. Manufacturers and suppliers are looking for finance, factory space 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.
The Manila water company is investing 10 billion pesos in upgrades at the La Mesa dam. Oil futures also settled nearly $2 lower on Tuesday on reports of Iranian settlement talks, though prices stayed close to multimonth highs. Developers of water, power, solar 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 $100 million.
Hacking Spreads Across South Korea's Financial Sector as Regulators Launch Emergency Inspections
Hacking damage has now been confirmed at the crypto exchange Bithumb, Mirae Asset Global Investments and Daishin Securities, following earlier attacks on banks. In the Philippines, DMCI says it will challenge an order from the energy and environment departments. Companies need clear advice on cybersecurity, disclosure and regulatory rules.
HPC brokers the acquisition of, and partnerships with, compliance, regtech and legal services providers. We earn a 3% success fee on deals of around $25 million.
Companies Weigh Deals, Listings and Exits as Markets Wait for Central Banks and Big Tech
Investors are waiting for the Fed, then Microsoft and Alphabet results after the close, and Wall Street ended Tuesday higher with the S&P 500 up 0.6%. Companies, banks and funds are weighing listings, deals 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 $200 million.
Economists say a modest recovery in consumer mood and lower oil prices have helped lift risk appetite. 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 $10 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 $20 million.
Cebu's housing market is holding steady while the city plans its next phase of growth. 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 $60 million.
Asian stocks rose for a second day on AI optimism after a recent chip rout. 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 $15 million.
SK Hynix Tops 100 Trillion Won in Quarterly Revenue for the First Time
The chip maker's operating profit reached 83.3 trillion won, more than seven times a year ago, and it plans to return about 100 trillion won to shareholders this year through cash dividends and treasury share cancellations. Microsoft and Alphabet report after the close today. 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.
A fresh campaign is promoting Cebu as the centre of Visayas travel. Hotels, airlines 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 $40 million.