The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is investing in a unicorn firm behind a popular European tax app.
The pension fund’s private equity subsidiary Teachers’ Venture Growth served as the lead investor in a US$220 million investment round for Taxfix. As a result of the capital infusion, the Berlin-based software provider’s valuation surpassed US$1 billion.
Founded in 2016, Taxfix operates an app that allows its users, who are based in Germany, Italy and Spain, to file annual returns from mobile phones. The investment comes during a growth period for the company. In the first quarter of 2022, it saw its revenues double as Spanish users were given access to its app.
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In other news, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board is consolidating the management of two Australian agriculture businesses in which it has a majority share.
The management of BFB Ltd. will assume control of Daybreak Cropping, consolidating the two cereal producers into a single company operating 41 farms. The decision to unify the businesses is expected to provide operational efficiencies. The transition will be finalized over the course of several months and isn’t expected to impact farm-level employees.
And the property investment arm of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is seeking to add value to a flagship portfolio property by installing elaborate sculpture outside of the Montreal building.
Titled The Ring, the 30-metre steel sculpture was designed by Claude Cormier + Associés, a landscape architecture firm whose projects have helped redefine the city’s urban spaces, according to a press release. Ivanhoé Cambridge described the installation as “imposing.”
“The imposing structure will beautify the face of Montreal while giving new vibrancy, vitality and appeal to the heart of the city.”
Read: CPPIB, Ontario Teachers’ and PSP making global real estate investments