Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 10:30 PM ET

Asia-Pacific Exits & Secondaries

Activity in the Asia-Pacific exit market remains insufficient to absorb the growing inventory of mature assets, with Bain & Co reporting that the number of portfolio companies held for over five years jumped 18% in 2025 according to their 2026 report. This persistent overhang is driving limited partners to seek liquidity through the secondary market, exemplified by the University of California seeking to offload a $3 billion LP portfolio in a major sale process designed to rebalance its exposure.

European & US Dealmaking

In targeted M&A, Arlington Capital prepares to acquire Eptec Defence, a specialist provider of naval and defense preservation services, signaling continued private equity interest in niche defense technology sectors. Meanwhile, the European venture capital scene saw a significant capital raise, as London-based Air Street Capital successfully closed a $232 million Fund III aimed squarely at early-stage artificial intelligence companies across both European and North American markets.

Venture Capital & Prediction Markets

Venture investment continues to flow into emerging technology categories, evidenced by the formation of 5(c) Capital, a new fund dedicated to backing startups in the burgeoning prediction markets sector. Even amid rivalry in the sector, CEOs from both Kalshi and Polymarket committed capital to the $35 million fund, underscoring institutional belief in the growth trajectory of this asset class.