Good morning, Nina Lindholm here with the Europe Wire from the London newsroom.
The European Union could be next to face heavy tariffs, US President Donald Trump has suggested, after the country hit Mexico, Canada and China with levies. To kick things off this morning, we revisit some of our coverage on tariffs.
Next, Marlin Equity Partners is the latest firm to make a move in the regtech segment, with the acquisition of a London-based compliance technology firm.
We then delve into another tech segment increasingly gaining traction with private equity investors: video games. Drake Star managing partner Michael Metzger walks us through his outlook for the industry.
Next, we have another software deal, this time in the maritime segment. Agilitas Private Equity-backed Tidalis has acquired a software provider for the global maritime industry.
We’ll finish with the news of Main Capital opening a new office in France.
Uncertainty
US President Donald Trump hinted to the BBC that the EU could be next to face US tariffs, after the country hit goods from Mexico and Canada with 25 percent levies, along with an additional 10 percent tax on imports from China. However, he told the broadcaster that trade issues with the UK could be worked out.
To learn more about how tariffs could affect dealmaking, due diligence and exit strategies, PE Hub's Rafael Canton caught up with Nate Pund, managing director in Houlihan Lokey’s consumer group, and Peter Massumi, co-founder and managing partner of Massumi + Consoli, in January.
In December, PE Hub editor-in-chief MK Flynn turned to Brad Haller, senior partner, and Jeremy Tancredi, partner, at West Monroe, for their insights on tariff impact on PE dealmaking.
We're keen to hear dealmakers' thoughts on the potential tariffs on EU goods. Get in touch at nina.l@pei.group.
Complex landscape
Marlin Equity Partners has completed a majority growth investment in Napier Technologies (Napier AI), a London-based compliance technology firm supplying anti-money laundering software to a global customer base.
For more on the deal, check out the premium Wire coverage here.
Level up
Gaming has become the largest and most profitable segment within media, making it highly attractive to PE firms seeking strong profitability and sustained growth potential, Michael Metzger, managing partner at Drake Star, told PE Hub.
To learn more, take a look at the full Wire coverage here.
All aboard
Sticking to our tech theme of this morning but we’re heading out to the sea. Agilitas Private Equity-backed Tidalis has acquired Made Smart Group (MSG), a software provider specializing in information services for the global maritime industry.
For more on that, take a look at the premium Wire coverage here.
Bienvenue
Main Capital has opened a new office in Paris. The Paris office will serve as a “strategic hub” allowing Main to partner up with founders and management teams of enterprise B2B software companies in the French market.
Check out the premium Wire to learn more.
Many firms have been planting flags in European hubs, whether it’s sponsors from the continent expanding their reach or GPs from the US looking for a European presence, PE Hub’s Craig McGlashan wrote in late December. Craig looked into deals in the three biggest European economies that benefited from the recent opening of a hub.
That’s all from me. MK Flynn will be with you later today with the US edition, while Craig McGlashan will be on Europe duty tomorrow.
Cheers,
Nina
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