Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 7:30 AM ET

Private Equity Deal Activity & Exits

Exit challenges continue to shape dealmaking strategies, leading some firms to pursue partial sales or extended sellside preparation, according to insights from West Monroe. This environment saw a notable divestiture where Advent-backed Cobham Ultra agreed to sell its Ultra Cyber division to Airbus Defence and Space. In related portfolio movements, Bridgepoint-backed PEI Group expanded by acquiring Scientific Infra & Private Assets, a provider of global indices and benchmarks for infrastructure markets, demonstrating strategic add-on activity amid exit uncertainty.

New Mandates & Firm Strategy

Actis secured a purchase of Singaporean environmental management firm 800 Super, which specializes in waste treatment, public cleaning, and recycling services for both public and private clients, signaling continued private equity focus on ESG-adjacent infrastructure assets in Asia. Meanwhile, in the consumer space, Danone moved to acquire the UK-based nutrition brand Huel, a move that strengthens the packaged food giant’s stake in the growing health and protein supplement sector. Elsewhere, French-Italian venture firm 360 Capital successfully closed an €85 million deeptech fund, notably backed by a European defense prime contractor, illustrating significant capital flow into specialized technology sectors.

Personnel Moves & Leadership Promotions

The senior ranks of private equity firms experienced key movements, with ECI appointing David Danon as a new partner, bringing nearly two decades of experience from the private equity team at Bain Capital. In parallel, Freshstream announced internal promotions, elevating Tom Carroll and Gilles Gradassi to partner roles, recognizing their central contributions to the firm’s growth strategy across the UK, France, Belgium, Ireland, and The Netherlands. These leadership appointments suggest firms are solidifying management structures to navigate complex deal environments.

Venture Capital & Specialized Tech Focus

The specialized venture ecosystem saw significant capital deployment, highlighted by Air Street Capital closing a $232 million solo GP fund, marking it as Europe’s largest of its kind. Specific technological frontiers are attracting investment, as evidenced by the €8 million seed round secured by air defense startup Egide. This focus on deep technology is also reflected in the broader European innovation scene, where research facilities like the underground quantum lab in Paris are receiving attention, contrasting with investments in AI tools focused on human optimization, such as WONE’s performance coach, which prioritizes human potential over mere efficiency gains.