Octopus Ventures has completed two deals, backing AQS, a waste management business focusing on soil stabilisation and remediation, and Frankis Solutions, a provider of specialist land remediation services and groundworks.

Imperial Innovations has led a £5.6m (€6.2m) round of funding in Myotec Therapeutics, with an investment of £2.8m. Co-investor Invesco Perpetual also provided £2.8m as part of the round.

Membrane Extraction Technology, backed by Imperial Innovations, has been sold for €4.5m to multinational specialty chemical manufacturer Evonik Industries.

Braveheart has led a further funding round in existing portfolio company Tayside Flow Technologies, a Dundee-based life sciences business, which has raised over £500,000 (€555,000).

Inflexion Private Equity has appointed Rachel Gillon as marketing director at the firm.

The UK venture capital industry was given a substantial boost today, with Encore and MTI Partners sealing a significant exit and speciality pharmaceuticals business Archimedes netting a £65m (€73m) funding round.

3i has lost control of Global Garden Products, the Italian lawnmower maker it acquired in 2007, just days after lenders seized control of Ultralase, the UK laser eye surgery chain.

Electra Partners has invested €10.5m in Kalle, the global manufacturer of artificial sausage casings and sponge cloths that was acquired by Silverfleet Capital in 2009.

Investec has acquired a 75 per cent stake in Lease Direct Finance, a growing UK provider of commercial finance.

A recent survey of listed private equity firms has revealed that they agree unanimously that 2010 will provide a more positive investment environment than last year.