The deal, which has yet to close, will value the newly formed company at $20 billion, the FT reported. Schwarz Group, one of Aleph Alpha's top backers, will also invest $600 million in Cohere's Series E round, which is expected to close later this year, CNBC reported. A press release announcing the Cohere-Aleph Alpha union said one goal of the merger was to give businesses and governments an alternative to these dominant tech players, one that offers greater independence and control over their data. It also hopes to combine the talent pool across Canada and Germany to create a 'transatlantic AI powerhouse.' StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Register now for unfiltered fireside chats and VC insights with leaders from Uber, Replit, Eclipse, and more. Plus, high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited....

The projects, with combined capacity of 789MW / 1,628MWh, are under construction across Germany and are expected to become operational by 2028. Around 70% of the capital structure will be financed through debt. The transaction marks AllianzGI's first direct equity investment in a utility-scale battery storage portfolio. The assets were developed by Kyon Energy, a TotalEnergies subsidiary, and TotalEnergies will remain operator. The deal reflects growing institutional appetite for grid-scale storage, as Germany accelerates renewable deployment and seeks greater system flexibility. Battery infrastructure is increasingly viewed as critical to managing grid congestion and balancing intermittent power generation. For TotalEnergies, the transaction allows capital recycling within its integrated power strategy while retaining operational control. For AllianzGI, the investment strengthens its exposure to energy transition infrastructure in its domestic market. Edouard Jozan, Head of Private Markets at Allianz Global Investors, said the projects will 'help reinforce the country's energy resilience, accelerate the energy transition, and deliver long-term value for our clients,' highlighting the firm's long-term infrastructure allocation strategy....

The transaction, expected to close in Q2 2026, adds the HARO-branded business to Mutares' portfolio. The company operates two highly automated production facilities in Germany and Bulgaria and maintains a global sales network spanning more than 70 countries. With over 700 employees, the business manufactures parquet, laminate, design flooring, sports flooring, and acoustic panels. It holds a market-leading position in Germany's parquet segment and benefits from long-standing relationships with specialty retailers and DIY chains. 'The Flooring business represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire Germany's leading parquet manufacturer with a globally recognized premium brand,' said Johannes Laumann, CIO of Mutares. 'With its strong heritage, modern production capabilities and a clear roadmap for value creation, the company is an excellent fit for the Mutares portfolio. We see substantial potential to further strengthen the business in its core markets and accelerate its growth trajectory, especially in Asia.'...

The investment is being made by the Direct Private Equity team of Pictet Alternative Advisors, Pictet Group's alternative investment arm. As part of the transaction, Pictet becomes a long-term strategic shareholder in QGroup, while the company's existing management team and founders retain operational control and significant ownership stakes. QGroup was founded in 1993 and specialises in cybersecurity architectures, incident response services, managed security operations, and highly secure operating models. Its client base includes operators of critical infrastructure, government and public sector bodies, and security-sensitive industrial companies. The firm also develops proprietary cybersecurity solutions designed for environments with strict regulatory and sovereignty requirements. 'With QGroup, we are gaining a partner with decades of experience in developing and delivering high-security solutions, and which excels both technologically and culturally,' said Nikolaus Hubmann, head of DACH Direct Private Equity at Pictet Alternative Advisors. 'The cybersecurity market offers technology- and research-driven companies compelling development opportunities ' an environment in which QGroup is very well positioned.'...