Private Equity

Topspin Partners has closed its second buyout fund with $132 million.

The International Finance Corp., a member of the World Bank Group, is committing US$40 million to Aureos’ Pan Africa fund, a US$400 million private equity offering that will invest in medium-sized companies in Africa.

Intervale Capital has closed its debut buyout fund, Intervale Capital Fund, with commitments of $280 million.

FSN Capital Partners, a Nordic mid-market private equity shop, has closed its latest fund, FSN Capital III, with €375 million (US$583 million) in capital commitments.

Arbah Global Gulf, the Bahrain-based investment arm of Arbah Capital, has launched a private equity fund that focuses on nanotechnology.

Ashmore, the London-based emerging markets specialist, recently launched a new special situations fund.

Jersey City, N.J.-based investment management firm Yorkville Advisors has expanded its operations to Athens, Greece and Tokyo through a joint venture with Axia Ventures Group.

Constitution Capital Partners, a new private equity firm focused on North American buyouts, has raised $600 million from the Universities Superannuation Scheme to invest in North American middle market p.e. funds and direct co-investments.

Morgan Stanley has appointed Yoshihiko Shigenari as head of its private equity unit in Japan. Shigenari, currently co-head of the bank's investment banking division in Tokyo, will take on the new position on July 1.

A Blackstone Group hedge fund is raising its first mezzanine fund, with a target of as much as $2 billion.