A spate of large transactions helped boost deal values by 250% this week.

Guest blogger Bob Ackerman Jr. of Allegis Capital explains why venture investment in cybersecurity startups increased by 5 percent to $1 billion last year, while overall venture investments declined.

Madison Dearborn Partners has agreed to buy National Financial Partners in a deal valued at about $1.3 billion. Terms of the deal call for NFP shareholders to receive $25.35 in cash for each share of NFP common stock they own. Deutsche Bank Securities, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding and UBS Securities are providing debt financing. NFP is a benefits, insurance and wealth management business. BofA Merrill Lynch advised NFP’s board while UBS acted as financial advisor to Madison Dearborn.

Tim Hurd and Eddie Magnus have left Madison Dearborn Partners to start their own firm, according to an MDP letter to investors.

It looks like Madison Dearborn Partners‘ investment in EVO Payments International is pretty sizeable.

Madison Dearborn Partners said Monday it has agreed to invest in Aderant Holdings. The sellers are Vista Equity Partners and company management, which will retain “significant” ownership positions. Financial terms weren’t announced. MDP is buying about half of Vista Equity’s and Aderant management’s stakes, the statement says. Atlanta-based Aderant provides business management software for law and professional services firms. BofA Merrill Lynch provided financial advice to MDP, while BMO Capital Markets and Marks Baughan advised Aderant and Vista.

Madison Dearborn Partners is to acquire Sage Products, a healthcare products manufacturer. The transaction is expected to close by year end.

Platinum Equity has completed its $1.24 billion buy of BWAY Parent Co. The seller was Madison Dearborn Partners. Goldman, Sachs & Co., Barclays and Deutsche Bank Securities provided financial advice to BWAY. Bookrunners for debt financing were Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. Atlanta-based BWAY makes paint and aerosol cans as well as steel open and tight-headed pails.

It only took two years for Madison Dearborn Partners to nearly double its money on BWAY Parent Co.
Platinum Equity said earlier this week that it agreed to buy BWAY, an Atlanta packaging company, for $1.24 billion. The sale is expected to close in fourth quarter.

Campbell Soup Co. has completed its buy of Bolthouse Farms in a deal valued at $1.55 billion cash. The seller was Madison Dearborn Partners. Bakersfield, Calif.-based Bolthouse is a food and beverage company/ PRESS RELEASE Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Bolthouse Farms from a fund managed by Madison [...]