Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 6:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits

Persistent exit difficulties continue to reshape private equity transaction strategies, forcing firms toward partial sales and longer sellside preparations according to West Monroe analysis. This environment contrasts with recent strategic acquisitions, such as Bridgepoint-backed PEI Group acquiring Scientific Infra & Private Assets, a key benchmark provider for infrastructure and private equity markets, indicating that strategic bolt-ons remain active even as traditional large exits slow. Separately, in a move suggesting corporate portfolio realignment, Danone agreed to take over celebrity-backed UK nutrition brand Huel, strengthening its presence in the health and protein sector. Meanwhile, Advent portfolio company Cobham Ultra agreed to sell its Ultra Cyber division to Airbus Defence and Space, marking a specific divestiture for the defense contractor following earlier reports of asset sales.

Sector-Specific Investments & Growth

In infrastructure and environmental services, Actis executed a purchase of Singaporean environmental management firm 800 Super, which offers essential waste management, recycling, and public cleaning services across both public and private sectors. This investment underscores growing capital deployment into ESG-aligned assets in the Asia-Pacific region. Shifting focus to technology and defense financing, French-Italian venture firm 360 Capital successfully closed an €85 million deeptech fund, notably backed by a European defense prime contractor, signaling alignment between VC strategy and national security interests. Furthermore, London-based Air Street Capital finalized a $232 million solo GP fund, recognized as Europe's largest in its category, while the Israeli defense startup Egide secured an €8 million seed round to fuel its growth in the sensitive air defense technology space.

Firm Personnel and Talent Development

Within private equity operations, Freshstream announced partner promotions for Tom Carroll and Gilles Gradassi, both central figures in the firm's strategy across the UK, Ireland, France, and the Benelux region. These internal advancements come as firms place increasing emphasis on optimizing human capital, exemplified by the focus on AI performance coaching that prioritizes human potential enhancement over mere efficiency gains, as seen with WONE's approach. Additionally, the political sphere continues to interact with the startup ecosystem; while politicians engage with founders, there is a perceived need for more concrete commitments to support innovation beyond rhetorical support. Finally, the UK’s Future Fifty growth programme selected its newest cohort of 25 startups, signaling the next wave of high-potential companies expected to draw significant interest from investors like those listed on Sifted’s UK & Ireland leaderboard.