⛳ Memo: Liv Golf comeback?

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Here’s all the news you need to know:

⛳ LIV Golf comeback
💳 Monzo’s £7.5bn funding hunt
🤖 China blocks $5.4bn takeover
🏛️ Democrats target AI regulation
🏥 Gowling’s £400m healthcare investment
💊 Winston Taylor’s private equity deal

Liv Golf Comeback

Private equity firm BC Partners is exploring a revival of LIV Golf, despite abandoning an earlier rescue plan after the Saudi-backed golf league filed for bankruptcy in September. BC is considering acquiring a $50 million bankruptcy loan from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, potentially giving it greater control over LIV’s restructuring.

However, reviving the league remains challenging. Negotiations with golfers have stalled over financial demands, while established golf organisations remain resistant to allowing their players to participate. This is a good example of how private equity investors try to find opportunities in distressed businesses, potentially extracting value from their remaining assets even when the original business model has failed.

Monzo seeks £7.5bn valuation after takeover talks collapse

Monzo is exploring a fresh funding round that could value the UK digital bank at £7.5 billion after two potential investment deals failed to progress. Takeover discussions with Brazilian rival Nubank, which could have valued Monzo at up to £10 billion, broke down over price, while talks with private equity firms about acquiring a minority stake have stalled. Monzo is now considering approaching venture capital investors as it seeks funding to expand across Europe, having recently launched in Ireland and Spain. The bank serves more than 16 million customers and generated £1.7 billion in revenue in the year to March 2026.

China blocks SoftBank’s $5.4bn robotics takeover

China has blocked Japanese investor SoftBank’s planned $5.4 billion acquisition of Swiss engineering group ABB’s robotics division, disrupting one of the technology industry’s major takeover deals. The business manufactures industrial robots used in factories, with China accounting for approximately 30% of its sales. Although Beijing has not publicly explained its decision, concerns surrounding sensitive technology and data have complicated the transaction. SoftBank and ABB are now exploring whether separating the Chinese operations into a differently owned business could allow the remaining acquisition to proceed. However, restructuring the deal could significantly reduce its value and introduce further complications.

Democrats prepare major AI crackdown

Democrats are preparing a wave of new artificial intelligence legislation after winning control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections. Their proposals include mandatory independent safety testing for powerful AI systems, clearer rules on when technology companies can be held responsible for harm caused by their products, and protections against rising electricity bills linked to expanding data centres. The plans mark a significant shift from the previous Republican-led Congress, which prioritised encouraging AI investment and development. However, passing tougher regulations could prove difficult with President Donald Trump remaining opposed to greater federal restrictions.

Gowling advises on £400m NHS property investment

Gowling WLG has advised pension investor Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) on expanding its healthcare property partnership with Primary Health Properties, increasing its investment target from £250 million to £400 million. The partnership, which invests in buildings used by NHS organisations and GP practices, has agreed to acquire nine additional properties worth approximately £67 million and could eventually grow to £800 million.

Healthcare properties are attractive to long-term investors because they provide relatively predictable rental income, often with payments increasing alongside inflation. The expansion also supports the NHS’s ambition to deliver more healthcare services within local communities rather than hospitals.

Winston Taylor advises on sale of women’s healthcare business

Winston Taylor has advised the management team of Theramex, a London-based women’s healthcare company, on its proposed sale to private equity firm Cinven. The acquisition will see existing investors Carlyle and PAI Partners exit a business that provides treatments for menopause, fertility, contraception and osteoporosis across more than 80 countries. Cinven plans to expand Theramex internationally and secure rights to additional medicines, building on a business whose treatments have already reached more than six million women.