Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 28, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Private Equity Strategy & Exits

The private equity industry is entering a more selective phase as the era of cheap debt and elevated multiples recedes, leading to a strategic shift where "12 is the new," indicating a longer holding period for assets is becoming the norm. This strategic recalibration is evident in recent divestitures, as Advent prepares to fully exit its stake in the hair care brand Olaplex to Henkel in a $1.4 billion transaction that will see the company delisted from Nasdaq upon closing, anticipated in 2026. Concurrently, HIG Capital is divesting its Brazilian internet service provider to Claro in a deal valued at approximately $750 million, while in the technology space, SAP is acquiring New View Capital-backed data management firm Reltio, expecting finalization in the second or third quarter of 2026.

Sector Focus: Healthcare & Industrials

Dealmakers are increasingly concentrating capital on specific high-growth subsectors, with women's health emerging as a key focus area, driven by an estimated "$1 trillion gap" in investment opportunities, according to Kearney’s Paula Bellostas Muguerza. Within healthcare services, several major firms, including Astorg, Cinven, and Nordic Capital, are actively pursuing transactions in the pathology sector, signaling strong interest in specialized diagnostics assets. In parallel, Advent is making a new investment into the engineering and consulting firm Atwell, with that transaction slated to conclude in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting continued appetite for specialized industrial services. Furthermore, the consumer health space is seeing activity shaped by trends like GLP-1 drugs, leading to LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, completing its exit from occupational health business PAM Healthcare to Optima Healthcare.

Credit & Secondaries Market Buildout

Investment banks are actively expanding their European credit secondaries teams to meet growing demand for liquidity in private debt, with Evercore reportedly hiring four new professionals, two of whom are joining from PJT. This buildout supports the secondary market's increasing relevance as general partners seek to manage portfolio liquidity. Meanwhile, on the primary credit side, Bonaccord made a minority investment into the commercial real estate credit platform Prime Finance; this capital infusion is earmarked for strengthening Prime Finance’s balance sheet and expanding its institutional infrastructure.

Venture Capital & Regional Hubs

While traditional PE focuses on large buyouts, the venture ecosystem is showing regional strength, particularly in areas benefiting from AI adoption and specialized technology funding. Venture funding for Austin startups has reached an all-time high, underscoring the city's continued momentum as a technology hub in the Lone Star State. This funding environment contrasts with operational shifts at some venture firms, as Speedinvest recently cut 10% of its workforce following a period of internal turnover, suggesting a need for leaner operations even amid high deal volume. Overall dealmaking pace picked up this week, led by massive technology financings, including OpenAI disclosing a further $10 billion raise, alongside other significant investments flowing into defense and growth-stage technology companies leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence for scaling operations from hype to impact.