Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 25, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Mega-Funds and Secondary Market Activity

BlackRock reported that LPs are slashing Africa budgets amid dwindling risk appetites, juxtaposed against significant activity in continuation funds and GP-led deals elsewhere. Tower Brook successfully closed a continuation fund for the business consulting firm Eisner Amper, a transaction led by Carlyle Alp Invest with Hamilton Lane co-leading the structure, demonstrating continued appetite for GP-led secondary liquidity, an area where firms like Jefferies are actively recruiting senior talent from rivals like Lazard to bolster their advisory positions. Separately, mid-market healthcare specialist QHP executed its second continuation vehicle for a top-performing pharma asset, delivering a reported 10x return for the selling limited partners.

Sector-Specific Deployments and Acquisitions

Advent is preparing to aggressively deploy up to $1 billion into the defense technology sector, signaling a strategic focus on areas potentially benefiting from heightened geopolitical concerns, which also fueled Chimney Rock's purchase of [United Electronics Company] (UEC), a manufacturer specializing in support for aircraft and ground-based vehicles. In the infrastructure space, Brookfield and La Caisse announced a $9.7 billion take-private of renewable energy firm Boralex to scale its green energy growth. Meanwhile, Clearlake is moving to acquire power and electric services grid operator Qualus from seller New Mountain Capital, while Etna Capital snapped up digital engineering firm CodeRoad.

AI, Legal Tech, and Digital Infrastructure Investments

Venture investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure continues at a high clip, with legal tech startup Harvey confirming an $11 billion valuation following a $200 million Series C round co-led by GIC and Sequoia Capital, marking a massive tripling of investor confidence since earlier rounds involving Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins. In related digitization, TPG and Allianz anchored a $350 million strategic investment into [Cambridge Mobile Telematics] (CMT) to expand its AI-driven mobility platform. Furthermore, AI notetaking startup Granola achieved unicorn status after securing $125 million in a Series C round.

Strategic Minority Sales and Sector Consolidation

Cinven brought in sovereign wealth fund GIC as a partner by agreeing to sell a strategic minority stake in environmental science firm Envu, though Cinven retains the majority ownership position. Within the beauty and wellness sector, Bansk Group agreed to acquire wellness shots provider So Good So You, with the founders remaining involved on the board, while Semcap launched a dedicated beauty and wellness arm in partnership with industry veteran Vasiliki Petrou’s Veralis Group. In the broader tech ecosystem, KKCG-backed gaming entity Allwyn completed its listing on the Athens Stock Exchange following a merger with Opap, creating the world's second-largest listed lottery operator.

Credit Market Stress and Specialist Fund Launches

The private credit market is showing signs of strain as Ares Management was compelled to cap withdrawals from its $10.7 billion Strategic Income Fund in response to a surge in redemption requests. Counterbalancing this, European capital markets saw new specialized vehicles emerge, including Pictet Alternative Advisors closing its inaugural direct private equity fund aimed at founder-led businesses at approximately €403 million ($440 million). Concurrently, EIF launched a massive €15 billion fund of funds dedicated to backing approximately 100 growth-stage venture capital firms across the continent.

Niche Technology and Specialized Clinic Funding

Funding rounds focused on highly specific technological niches signal ongoing vertical specialization in early-stage investment. VITL secured $7.5 million to expand its e-prescribing marketplace targeting the expanding cash-pay clinic sector, capitalizing on the GLP-1 drug boom. In aerospace, Arinna raised a $4 million seed round to develop ultrathin, more efficient solar cells for spacecraft, aiming to solve space power challenges, while Swiss spacetech firm Pave Space raised $40 million amidst escalating concerns over space sovereignty. Separately, construction tech startup Trayd secured $10 million in Series A funding from YC to scale its back-office operating system for the construction industry.