RedBird IMI to merge France’s Banijay and UK’s All3Media

Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI agreed to a EUR 4.4 bn merger between UK-based All3Media, which it acquired in 2024, and France’s Banijay Entertainment, according to a press release. The move creates a 50/50 JV, effectively uniting two of Europe's largest TV production rivals. Leadership of the new entity, which will be called Banijay, will be split among the original companies.

The transaction is structured as a full equity rollover of RedBird IMI’s interest in All3Media, with a total of EUR 796 mn flowing to Banijay Group, including a EUR 625 mn payment from RedBird IMI and a EUR 171 mn pre-closing dividend from Banijay Entertainment. A total of EUR 50 mn in cost synergies is expected to be realized within 12 months. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, with closing slated for fall 2026.

Mubadala lends USD 50 mn to Hungary's 4iG

Mubadala extends USD 50 mn convertible loan to Hungarian tech firm: Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala committed a USD 50 mn convertible loan to Budapest-listed technology group 4iG, according to a press release. The funding aims to bolster 4iG’s capital markets exposure and fuel its expansion across digital infrastructure, high-capacity networks, and space industries, with room for the sovereign wealth fund to increase its investment in the future.

Under the agreement, the conversion share will be tied to a 90-day volume-weighted average price preceding the signing, with equity conversion slated for the end of 1Q 2029. Both parties expect to finalize the transaction by the end of this quarter, following regulatory approval.

What’s *your* strain at?

2PointZero takes a stake in Whoop: An unspecified subsidiary of 2PointZero Group acquired a stake in Boston-based health tech wearables firm Whoop, according to a disclosure (pdf). The size and value of the stake weren’t disclosed. The takeover comes as IHC’s newly-consolidated 2PointZero Group continues to expand its portfolio, having recently increased its stake in Cairo-born fintech Maseera Holding to 100%.

Whoop needs no introduction, but for those of you who haven’t seen it on anyone’s wrist yet, the wearable performance tracker runs a subscription model that offers round-the-clock physiological monitoring and personalized coaching. Whoop has raised more than USD 400 mn from investors, including California-based SoftBank Vision Fund.

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