Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Deal Activity & Sector Moves

Activity across the private equity sphere shows continued M&A execution alongside strategic exits, with deals spanning healthcare services to UK wholesale distribution. Olympus Partners is reportedly looking to divest its stake in Eye South’s retina business, initiating a sale process valued at an estimated $1.1 billion for the US-based eye-care management services organization sell EyeSouth’s retina business for $1.1b. In contrast, One Equity finalized a take-private transaction to acquire Kitwave, the UK wholesale distributor serving foodservice and retail customers buys Kitwave via take-private. Further consolidation within insurance was evident as the Aquiline-backed Relation completed the acquisition of Chinook Insurance Group, led by CEO Christopher Trainer Relation snaps up Chinook. Meanwhile, Actis expanded its Asian footprint by purchasing Singaporean environmental management firm 800 Super, which offers services including waste management and recycling buys Singaporean environmental business.

The defense and aerospace sector saw a significant divestiture as Advent-backed Cobham Ultra agreed to sell its Ultra Cyber unit to Airbus Defence and Space Cobham Ultra to sell Ultra Cyber, reflecting ongoing portfolio optimization efforts in specialized technology assets. This divestment comes as industry observers note that difficult exit environments are prompting owners toward partial sales or extended sell-side preparation periods Exit difficulties lead to partial sales. Additionally, Bridgepoint-backed PEI Group expanded its data and benchmarking capabilities by acquiring Scientific Infra & Private Assets, a global index and rating provider for private infrastructure and PE markets PEI Group acquires Scientific Infra. In consumer goods, Danone is strengthening its health and protein portfolio by agreeing to acquire the celebrity-backed UK nutrition brand Huel Danone expands portfolio with Huel takeover.

Personnel Moves & Firm Strategy

Major private equity firms continued to bolster senior ranks, signaling strategic focus areas for the coming year. GTCR appointed Donnie Phillips as managing director and chief administrative officer, basing the high-level operational role in their Chicago headquarters taps Donnie Phillips as managing director. Similarly, ECI welcomed David Danon as a new partner, bringing nearly two decades of experience from the private equity team at Bain Capital names David Danon as new partner. In promotions, Freshstream elevated Tom Carroll and Gilles Gradassi to partner, recognizing their contributions to the firm’s strategy across key markets including the UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, and The Netherlands promotes Tom Carroll and Gilles Gradassi. Separately, former NFL player Terrence Murphy launched Synergy Sports Capital earlier this year, marking the unveiling of his new firm two decades after an injury curtailed his professional playing career launches Synergy Sports Capital.

Venture Capital & Emerging Tech Focus

The venture capital ecosystem saw significant fund closings in Europe, particularly focusing on deep technology and specialized investment mandates. Air Street Capital successfully closed its $232 million solo GP fund, establishing it as the largest of its kind in Europe closes $232m solo GP fund. Meanwhile, French-Italian firm 360 Capital raised €85 million for a new deeptech fund, which secured backing from a European defense prime contractor raises €85m for deeptech fund. In startup news, air defense technology startup Egide successfully secured €8 million in seed funding air defence startup Egide raises €8m. Separately, insights into specialized technology reveal a Paris-based underground quantum laboratory operating outside typical visibility underground quantum lab in Paris, while firms like WONE are developing AI tools focused on optimizing human potential rather than mere efficiency WONE’s AI performance coach.

Regulatory & Operational Considerations

For growth-stage companies, operational oversight regarding regulatory incentives remains a common oversight, as guest author Harrison Garba detailed the frequent failure of startups to claim valuable tax credits Tax Credit Opportunities Startups Often Forget. In the political sphere, there is commentary suggesting that while politicians are engaging with founders, they must deliver more concrete commitments to support the technology sector Politicians are flirting with founders. Furthermore, the UK’s Future Fifty growth programme has selected 25 startups to participate in its latest cohort selected for UK’s Future Fifty growth programme.