Private Equity 24 Hours

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

Deal Activity & Portfolio Management

Exit headwinds continue to reshape private equity dealmaking, forcing sponsors toward partial asset sales and longer preparation windows for divestitures, according to commentary from West Monroe. Despite these challenges, portfolio company transactions are advancing, as Advent-backed Cobham Ultra agreed to offload its Ultra Cyber division to Airbus Defence and Space, illustrating strategic pruning within defense assets. In parallel, Bridgepoint-backed PEI Group expanded its data footprint by acquiring Scientific Infra & Private Assets, a provider of indices for private infrastructure and PE markets, signaling continued interest in data standardization tools.

Personnel Moves & Firm Strategy

Senior leadership changes across the mid-market signal strategic continuity, with ECI appointing David Danon as a new partner after his nearly two-decade tenure on the private equity team at Bain Capital. Separately, Freshstream promoted two key figures, Tom Carroll and Gilles Gradassi, to partner roles, reflecting their centrality to the firm's strategy focused on opportunities across the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. These promotions underscore the internal pipeline development necessary to manage geographically focused investment theses.

Sector Focus: Food, Waste & ESG

Consumer goods giant Danone is strengthening its health focus by agreeing to acquire the UK-based nutrition brand Huel, which boasts celebrity backing, as the sector sees increased consolidation around high-growth protein and wellness categories. In the environmental services space, Actis acquired Singaporean environmental manager 800 Super, a firm providing comprehensive waste management, treatment, and recycling solutions to both public and private clients across the region. This acquisition aligns with broader investor mandates prioritizing ESG-linked infrastructure and essential services in Asia.

Venture Capital & Deeptech Financing

The European venture scene saw significant capital deployment, particularly in deeptech and specialized funds. Air Street Capital closed a $232 million solo GP fund, marking what is reported to be Europe’s largest such vehicle, while French-Italian firm 360 Capital raised €85 million for a deeptech fund specifically backed by a major European defense prime contractor. Furthermore, early-stage defense technology received a boost, with air defense startup Egide raising an €8 million seed round aimed at accelerating its development pipeline.

Internal Optimization & European Tech Watch

Beyond headline funding, innovation within portfolio companies is being refined through human performance metrics rather than simple efficiency gains, as illustrated by WONE’s AI performance coach, which focuses on optimizing human potential. Meanwhile, the European tech ecosystem is watching government interaction closely, as politicians are reportedly "flirting with founders but need to commit" to definitive policy actions. In related news, a cohort of 25 startups has been selected for the UK’s Future Fifty growth programme, providing a benchmark for scaling potential across the region. Separately, deeptech research continues to advance, evidenced by the presence of a multi-million-dollar underground quantum lab operating in Paris.