Well-known companies across the North West have been involved a series of high-profile deals over the last week or so.
The likes of THG, Salford Red Devils and Hotter Shoes have all hit the headlines.
Below, BusinessLive has rounded up 12 of the biggest deals from across the region from the last couple of weeks we feel you should not miss.
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If you have a new deal that you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail jon.robinson@reachplc.com.
EG Group
A deal worth more than £2bn which will see Asda acquire the majority of EG Group's UK and Ireland operations has been confirmed.
Both companies are owned by the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity giant TDR Capital.
Asda is to buy most of Blackburn-headquartered EG Group's fuel, foodservice, grocery and merchandise business for £2.27bn.
UrbanChain
A French investment giant has become the largest shareholder in UrbanChain after it raised more than £5m.
The Manchester-based renewables energy market creator secured £5.25m through a Series A funding round led by Eurazeo.
UrbanChain has previously received significant investment from Innovate UK and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
4th Utility
A full-fibre broadband provider has received a £25m investment from a Dutch bank.
Greater Manchester-based 4th Utility has securing the funding from NIBC Bank.
The company was established in 2017 and employs over 50 people, including former England and Sale Sharks winger Mark Cueto.
THG
Mike Ashley's retail empire is in talks with THG over a deal to acquire one of its brands.
Frasers Group, through its subsidiary Evans Cycles, is seeking to acquire the stock and intellectual property assets of ProBikeKit.
BusinessLive reported in April that Manchester-headquartered online retail and software group THG was to close ProBikeKit which it had bought in 2013.
Hotter Shoes
The owner of Hotter Shoes has put itself up for sale as it warns it could struggle to pay its upcoming bills.
Skelmersdale-headquartered Unbound Group has appointed Interpath Advisory to act as joint financial adviser alongside Singer Capital Markets Advisory LLP to manage a strategic review and formal sale process.
The move comes after the group missed out on a planned £10m investment earlier this month after the offer was withdrawn because of concerns over its current trading.
Skout
Cheshire-based B2B PR and communications agency Skout has become 100% employee owned.
The employee ownership trust has acquired a 100% controlling interest in the business from founder Rob Skinner and director Claire Lamb who will continue to serve as the management team for the foreseeable future.
Mr Skinner said: "We’re delighted to be able to finally announce our plans. Over our 13-year history we have focused on making B2B communications more relevant and authentic for our clients. Looking ahead to our future, we want to set the bar even higher and believe this new chapter will provide the impetus required."
Grüum
Stockport-based personal care brand Grüum has acquired a majority stake in personalised vitamin and supplement supplier Everly Wellness.
Grüum has invested a six-figure sum to acquire the supplement brand. Grüum was founded in 2016 by Simon Leonard, Andy Shaw, Beth Sleigh and George Lagonikas.
Everly Wellness was established by brothers Jason and Dexter Grima in 2017.
Salford Red Devils
Salford Red Devils have announced that their initial target of £250,000 has been raised through the Reds Rise Together campaign – the community share offer that will see the club become fan owned.
There have been almost 1,000 unique pledges in support and with six days left before the Crowdfunder campaign closes.
Managing director Paul King said: "Obviously, this is a special moment. Our initial target has been surpassed with time left on the clock, and so firstly can I just say thank you to our new owners and those supporting the campaign."
Molymem
Molymem, which spun out of the University of Manchester, has secured an extra £500,000.
The company has received the investment from Green Angel Syndicate and Manchester based GC Angels.
It was previously backed with £500,000 by Cambridge Angels when it spun out of the university in December 2022.
AperiData
Chester-based fintech AperiData has secured a six-figure investment from Maven Equity Finance, managed by Maven Capital Partners and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
The funding will enable the business to continue its growth, expand its portfolio of customers, enter new markets and create up to 10 new jobs in the region.
Founded in 2020, AperiData is an FCA-authorised credit reference agency and open banking provider.
UK Vein Clinic
A chain of medical clinics which specialises in treating varicose veins and thread veins has raised £1.5m in debt funding from Frontier Development Capital (FDC) to help it expand into new locations nationwide.
The UK Vein Clinic group, which operates under the twin brands of Dr Newmans Clinic and UK Vein Clinic, is the largest independently-owned chain of its type in the UK.
Headquartered in London’s Harley Street, the company's co-founder Peter Finigan is based in Altrincham.
Certas Energy
Fuel and lubricants distributor Certas Energy has expanded its presence in the renewable energy sector with the acquisition of a business based in North Wales.
Corporate finance firm Cleveland Scott advised Hafod Renewable Energy on its sale to Warrington-based Certas Energy.
Hafod is the second major investment made by Certas Energy in the last six months to grow its renewable solutions offering.
In late 2022, the company acquired Preston-based Freedom Heat Pumps, a distributor of air source and ground source heat pump equipment.
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