Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 24, 2026, 12:30 PM ET

Mega-Deals and Sector Bets

Large-cap private equity firms are aggressively pursuing major transactions across diverse sectors, with Apollo committing $3.7bn to the acquisition of Nippon Sheet Glass, marking the largest Japan private equity investment by an Apollo-managed fund. Concurrently, Apollo and Bain Capital are competing in the €4 billion bidding race for Continental's industrial unit, Conti Tech, indicating sustained interest in large industrial carve-outs across Europe. In a move signaling a continued focus on consumer staples, Advent reached an agreement to purchase a majority stake in premium body care brand Salt & Stone for $165 million, though this exit for Humble Growth comes after its minority investment only began in 2024.

Consumer & Industrials Acquisitions

Activity in the consumer and specialized industrials space remains brisk, as Main Post invested in pretzel manufacturer Stellar Snacks, which boasts broad distribution across major U.S. retailers like Costco and Target. Meanwhile, in environmental services, Goldner Hawn acquired Lone Star Environmental Companies, which services the Houston and San Antonio areas, suggesting a focus on regional infrastructure plays. Elsewhere in services, GTCR-backed Ascent Sports Group acquired sports technology firm Live Barn, which was established in January 2026 as a technology and media platform.

Software, Tech, and Infrastructure Investments

Firms are actively deploying capital into software and infrastructure plays, with Main Capital investing in Gingco Systems, a provider of modular enterprise resource management software for intelligent workplace management. The government technology sector saw activity as TSCP invested in Karpel, a firm whose clients include public defender and prosecutor offices nationwide. In education technology, Princeton Equity Group backed children’s education provider Kid Strong, which has expanded rapidly since 2019 to support over 85,000 members across 184 centers in the U.S. and Canada.

Energy and Real Assets Divestitures

Portfolio management is leading to notable asset sales, including Generate Capital selling greenhouse operator Equinox Growers to Taylor Farms, a deal intended to support regional food supply chains. In real estate, Blackstone is planning a targeted disposal of approximately €100 million worth of Parisian apartments as part of value-creation efforts following its larger €700 million acquisition in the city. In the power generation sector, Hull Street agreed to purchase two specific power plants from Rockland, including the dual-fuel Tait Electric Generating Station in Ohio and the natural gas turbine Lee County Generating Station in Illinois.

Secondaries Market Dynamics and Strategy

Investment strategy remains central, with New Mountain Atlas seeking to leverage its sector teams to lead and co-lead GP-led buyout deals, moving beyond simple secondaries hiring to drive origination. The secondaries market is seeing large institutional sales, as the University of California is shopping a substantial $3 billion LP portfolio to generate liquidity. Furthermore, AI concerns are reportedly disrupting secondaries processes, even as firms like New Mountain Atlas try to stay ahead of market shifts.

Exits and Public Market Exposure

Firms are realizing returns, though sometimes facing market headwinds; Advent partially exited its stake in review platform Trustpilot for £46 million, a sale that triggered a sharp decline in the shares. In another planned exit, Francisco Partners is selling music publisher Kobalt to Brookfield-backed Primary Wave, with management expected to remain in place under Laurent Hubert. Public market activity is also on the radar, as CVC and Silver Lake are testing the waters for a potential $6.7 billion initial public offering for RAC.

Geographic Expansion and Talent Shifts

Private equity firms are evaluating international expansion, particularly in high-growth markets; Blackstone is assessing a potential $200 million to $300 million investment in the Indian Premier League, which would represent the firm's debut in sports investment. In Europe, talent acquisition is active, with O2 appointing Rob Hays as its new Investor Relations head, previously a managing director at Clean Bridge Securities. Meanwhile, the broader European tech ecosystem continues to mature, with reports detailing the UK and Ireland’s fastest-growing fintechs and noting that half of GPs surveyed feel their internal AI efforts are falling short.

Mid-Market Focus and Sector Specialization

Mid-market firms continue to find opportunities in specialized services and niche technology; Turnspire Capital Partners is preparing to collect first-round bids in mid-April for its municipal water service provider, USG Water Solutions. In specialized recruitment, Southfield invested in Metric Search, a firm serving the medtech life sciences, engineering, and data center sectors. Blue Fire Equity, which recently made its first platform investment in Jovian Concepts, is emphasizing its specialization in defense and government technology.

Asia-Pacific Overhang and European Fundraising

Concerns over asset overhang persist in Asia, where Bain & Co.’s 2026 report indicates the number of portfolio companies held for over five years rose 18% in 2025, suggesting that reported exit activity is insufficient to clear the backlog. In European venture capital, Air Street Capital secured a $232 million Fund III, positioning itself as one of the largest solo VCs on the continent, focused on early-stage AI companies in Europe and North America. This fundraising follows broader trends where European tech companies, such as Revolut, are reporting record profits ahead of expansion efforts.