Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 26, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Dealmaking Activity & Sector Focus

Private equity firms continued an aggressive pace of acquisitions across diverse sectors, with Clearlake agreeing to acquire power and electric services grid Qualus from seller New Mountain Capital. In the defense space, Advent is preparing to deploy up to $1 billion into defense technology assets, reflecting broader investor appetite for high-tech defense capabilities. Elsewhere, TowerBrook acquired French sports platform ID Unlimited, which supplies personalization elements like logos and patches for leading sports apparel brands, while simultaneously tapping into personalization craze alongside Altérra/Montagu/GA backing Wireless Logic.

Continuation Funds & Minority Stakes

The secondary market saw significant activity as TowerBrook finalized a continuation fund for business consulting firm Eisner Amper, a transaction led by Carlyle AlpInvest with Hamilton Lane as co-lead. Further cementing strategic partnerships, Cinven agreed to sell a minority stake in its environmental services portfolio company, Envu, to GIC to support future value creation initiatives. In a separate move, GIC co-led a $200 million funding round for AI notetaking startup Harvey, propelling the company to an $11 billion valuation alongside Sequoia.

Strategic Exits & Portfolio Management

A major exit in the clinical trial data space saw an investor group including Astorg, Nordic Capital, Novo Holdings, and Cinven successfully divest clinical trial data firm Clario to Thermo Fisher for a substantial $8.9 billion. Smaller exits included Industrial Opportunity Partners realizing $325 million from the sale of retail fixtures provider Royston, which it had held since 2018. On the investment front, Heartwood Partners-backed Amlon acquired Lion Industrial Resources, a provider of industrial waste solutions, expanding its environmental services footprint.

Infrastructure & Renewables Transactions

Large-scale infrastructure plays demonstrated continued PE interest in essential services, highlighted by Brookfield and La Caisse jointly acquiring renewables operator Boralex in a $9.7 billion take-private transaction aimed at scaling clean energy growth. Separately, Chimney Rock Equity scooped up United Electronics Company (UEC), driven by what a recent Accenture report noted as "insatiable" demand for maintaining radar systems critical for aircraft and ground vehicles, reinforcing PE's appetite for defense-related technologies.

Venture Capital Funding & Deeptech Investments

The venture capital landscape remains dynamic, particularly in deeptech and AI applications. AI notetaking startup Granola achieved unicorn status following a $125 million Series C round. In mobility, TPG and Allianz led a $350 million investment into CMT to expand its AI-driven mobility platform. Meanwhile, specialized deeptech firms secured seed funding, such as Arinna, which raised $4 million to develop ultrathin, efficient solar cells for spacecraft, and Pave Space, which secured $40 million amid rising concerns over space sovereignty.

Investor Strategy & Fund Formation

Firms are actively tailoring strategies to specific market niches. Pictet Alternative Advisors closed its inaugural direct private equity fund targeting founder-led businesses at €403 million ($440 , signaling a focus on owner-operator deals. In contrast, the European Investment Fund (EIF launched a massive €15 billion fund of funds dedicated to backing approximately 100 growth-stage VC managers. However, investor appetite for specific regions appears to be shifting, as reports indicate LPs are slashing budgets allocated to Africa due to dwindling risk tolerance.

Sector Launches & Founder Disputes

New investment vehicles are emerging in consumer sectors, with Semcap launching a dedicated beauty and wellness arm in partnership with industry veteran Vasiliki Petrou’s Veralis Group. Bansk Group is acquiring wellness shots provider So Good So You, allowing the co-founders to retain board seats. On the governance front, a court heard allegations that Balderton and AVP were involved in a "covert plot" to remove the founder of the sales intelligence firm Cognism. Separately, Yann LeCun handpicked a "maverick" founder to run his new venture, AMI Labs.

Talent Moves & Secondary Advisory

Movement in talent continues within the advisory space, as Jefferies onboarded senior GP-led talent from Lazard, illustrating the ongoing competition for expertise in the GP-led secondary market segment. In the VC world, Bow River announced its plan to acquire VC firm Spur Capital, with the transaction anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2026. Furthermore, KKCG-backed Allwyn listed on the Athens Stock Exchange following a merger with Opap, establishing itself as the world's second-largest listed lottery and gaming operator.