Last updated: September 30, 2026, 2:04 PM ET
Fundraising
Princeton Equity Group closed its third flagship fund at a $1.3bn hard cap, nearly 50% above its $875m target, underscoring institutional appetite for franchise-focused strategies. Two Google alumni raised $11.3M for BAG Ventures Fund I to back enterprise-ready AI startups. Brenton Point Capital Partners added five hires, growing from seven to 12 employees as the lower middle-market firm scales.
Valuations & IPOs
Oura delayed its $2.2bn Nasdaq IPO, putting investor exits on hold as market uncertainty persists. Eleven Labs doubled its valuation to $22bn via a tender offer, while a16z-backed Elise AI raised $350M at a $4B valuation. Anthropic’s prospectus revealed the true cost of its AI ambitions as the company preps for a public offering.
Energy & Infrastructure
Arc Light Capital took a 50% stake in the 5.4GW IATP power portfolio, comprising 11 North American power infrastructure assets. Antin Infrastructure Partners sold Vicinity Energy to Harrison Street at a $2.9bn enterprise value. Center Rock Capital closed a continuation vehicle for Power Services Group, led by New 2ND Capital.
Technology & AI
Sequoia-backed Juicebox landed in London to challenge Jack & Jill in the childcare marketplace. Backed and SOSV backed AI world models lab Zenithon. H Company cofounder Charles Kantor launched a new AI neocloud startup called Blackfuel. Tapestry VC warned that the safety debate is missing the risks of physical AI.
M&A & Buyouts
Apollo completed its acquisition of Japanese glassmaker Nippon Sheet Glass. HIG Capital acquired UK safety equipment distributor Arco, founded in 1884. Investindustrial hired Lone Star’s Shinichi Takahashi to lead its Japan office. EQT sold Acuon to a consortium of Hanwha Life and Centroid PE. KKR agreed a majority investment in Indian liquid storage platform Cisternina. Aspirity Partners agreed a majority stake in IoT connectivity company Onomondo.
Consumer & Services
Charlesbank-backed Spectrotel closed its merger with managed network services provider Aire Spring. Wynnchurch Capital’s EMS acquired Florida fencing and hurricane shutter distributor AMD Supply. Fusion Capital Partners snapped up Pioneer Power Group. Blue Sage Capital backed janitorial services firm Clean Team in a founder partnership. Sterling Group’s AGS acquired Chicago-area glazier Mark Industries. Gemspring Capital’s TRG acquired Ohio cybersecurity firm Fentron. LDC reinvested in UK water specialist Stonbury, with Federated Hermes co-investing. Livingbridge backed Elevare’s launch with two housing tech buys as BGF exited.
Regulation & Policy
The SEC opened the door to performance fees, pushing private markets toward retail investors. The UK’s AI minister is working “extremely rapidly” on non-compete changes. The EU’s €5bn Scaleup Fund can back UK and even US companies. Legora’s CEO said UK stock options make London expansion a “no-brainer” while Sweden is “almost impossible.”
Global Expansion & Secondaries
Pantheon planted its flag in Abu Dhabi, appointing Firas Mallah as head of Middle East, as Gulf appetite for secondaries grows. CVC DIF named former Morgan Stanley Infrastructure exec Chris Koski as North America chair. European pensions look south for climate investment opportunities. Side Letter reported that CV persons complicate key person clauses.
Carve-Outs & Sector Trends
Aurelius and Yellow Wood lead carve-out momentum in the consumer sector, with an 18% YoY increase in corporate carve-out deals. Chicago Pacific Founders Pet Fund exited CoVet in a sale to IDEXX. The VCs that could run the UK’s £1bn Scale-Up Fund are competing for the mandate.
Events & Culture
Three days left to exhibit at Tech Crunch Disrupt 2026. A day in the life with Imagi founder Dora Palfi. AI helped make a new cologne, as reported from the Human X conference. Sifted Summit’s moderators put big questions on sex, money, power, and EU Inc. How to build stress intelligence into your business model.