Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 25, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Mid-Market & GP-Led Transactions

TowerBrook Capital Partners successfully finalized a continuation fund for the business consulting firm Eisner Amper, a transaction spearheaded by Carlyle AlpInvest as the lead investor, with Hamilton Lane serving as co-lead, demonstrating continued appetite for GP-led secondary transactions even as sellers seek to extend hold periods on top-performing assets. In a similar secondary maneuver, Cinven agreed to sell a strategic minority stake in the environmental science firm Envu to GIC, positioning the sovereign wealth fund as a long-term partner while Cinven retains the majority ownership to continue value creation efforts. Meanwhile, mid-market healthcare specialist QHP executed a continuation vehicle for a clinical trial data asset for the second time, delivering a reported 10x return for selling Limited Partners.

In other M&A activity, Clearlake Capital is moving to acquire power and electric services grid operator Qualus from its owner, New Mountain Capital, signaling private equity focus on essential infrastructure plays. Elsewhere, Bansk Group announced its acquisition of wellness shots provider So Good So You, with the founders remaining equity holders and retaining board seats, while Industrial Opportunity Partners divested retail fixtures provider Royston to LSI for $325 million, an asset acquired back in 2018.

Sector Focus: Defense, Tech, and Infrastructure

Advent International is preparing to deploy close to $1 billion in defense technology investments, reflecting a broader trend of PE firms capitalizing on geopolitical tensions and modernization needs in the defense sector, partially driven by interest in capabilities like those offered by Ukrainian tech firms. This defense appetite appears mirrored in Chimney Rock’s purchase of United Electronics Company (UEC), a manufacturer whose services are heavily centered on maintaining radar systems for aircraft and ground vehicles, reflecting an 'insatiable' demand in that niche. In the infrastructure space, Brookfield, in partnership with La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, agreed to a $9.7 billion take-private of renewable energy producer Boralex to scale its green energy growth.

Venture & Growth Equity Moves

The AI startup ecosystem continues to command premium valuations, with legal tech provider Harvey confirming an $11 billion valuation following a $200 million Series C round co-led by GIC and Sequoia, who are tripling down on their exposure to AI-driven legal infrastructure. Similarly, AI notetaking startup Granola achieved unicorn status after closing a $125 million Series C funding round. Elsewhere in venture, TPG and Allianz X jointly led a $350 million strategic investment into Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) to expand its AI-driven mobility platform, with State Farm also participating in the round. In early-stage funding, YC graduate Glimpse secured a $35 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz, following a strategic pivot.

Fundraising & Strategic Expansions

European fundraising activity shows distinct strategies, with EIF launching a substantial €15 billion fund of funds aimed at backing approximately 100 growth-stage venture capital firms. Concurrently, Pictet Alternative Advisors closed its inaugural direct private equity fund at €403 million (approximately $440 , specifically targeting founder-led businesses. In strategic firm expansions, Semcap launched a dedicated beauty and wellness arm in collaboration with industry veteran Vasiliki Petrou and her firm Veralis Group. In private credit, redemption pressures appear to be materializing, as Ares Management instituted withdrawal caps on its $10.7 billion Strategic Income Fund in response to a surge in redemption requests.

Exits & Secondaries Talent

In the secondary advisory space, firms are actively recruiting senior talent, exemplified by Jefferies hiring senior GP-led advisory professionals from Lazard to enhance competitive positioning. A major exit was recorded when an investor group including Astorg, Nordic Capital, Novo Holdings, and Cinven sold clinical trial data firm Clario to Thermo Fisher Scientific for $8.9 billion. In technology exits, Viking Growth successfully divested its stake in European workforce management software provider Tamigo to Accel-KKR, which simultaneously bolstered its Nordic HR software group by acquiring a stake in Tamigo.

Global LP Sentiment & Regulatory Shifts

Investor sentiment is showing divergence across geographies, with a report suggesting that evergreen fund structures could face obsolescence, while UK High-Net-Worth Individuals are gaining access to major global General Partners. Conversely, Limited Partners in the Gulf region are reportedly turning their $5.4 trillion in sovereign wealth fund capital inward, a trend potentially accelerated by the ongoing conflict in Iran. In specialized markets, space technology startups are attracting capital, with Swiss firm Pave Space raising a $40 million seed round amidst rising concerns over space sovereignty.