Private Equity 24 Hours

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

Fundraising & Capital Markets

The private equity fundraising environment showed continued momentum, headlined by Inflexion closing its latest buyout fund at €4.5 billion (approximately $4.9 , exceeding its target amid surging mid-market interest. The firm strategically added wealth capital to the oversubscribed €4.5 billion raise after receiving strong demand from wealth managers. Separately, Blackstone finalized its life sciences fund at a $6.3 billion hard cap, establishing a record for the largest private fund dedicated solely to that sector. Meanwhile, Alantra confirmed plans to divest a minority stake in fund-of-fund manager ACP for €115.1 million, with the transaction anticipated to close in the latter half of the year.

Dealmaking Activity & Sector Focus

Deal flow across sectors remained active, with significant movement observed in healthcare technology and B2B services. Bridgepoint-backed Prescient executed an acquisition of London-based Dolon, a pricing and market access consultancy specializing in oncology and rare diseases. In the broader healthcare space, MTIP invested in Verifarma, a provider of pharma regulatory compliance services that currently serves 2,000 clients across 26 countries since its 2007 founding. In the technical services arena, Astorg agreed to purchase Barkene, a French B2B firm, from seller Montefiore Investment. Elsewhere, CVC Capital Partners launched a $12.6 billion buyout approach to take the Italian pharmaceutical firm Recordati private via a non-binding offer.

Healthcare & Industrial Buy-and-Builds

The trend of platform companies expanding through bolt-on acquisitions continued across healthcare and specialized industrial services. Gryphon-backed VIP expanded its footprint by acquiring Frederick Eye Institute, boosting its Mid-Atlantic eye care platform to 69 locations. In the wellness sector, Monument-backed Champion Wellness Centers purchased Boca Chiropractic, integrating services focused on chiropractic care. Industrial services saw activity as Coalesce-backed Miller acquired Haz-Mat and Canco to bolster its waste and environmental services capabilities. Furthermore, Grove Mountain-backed Hills Distribution added Bender Plumbing Supply, broadening its offerings in HVAC, plumbing equipment, and parts.

Financial Services & Credit Strategy

Private equity dealmakers are increasingly focused on the financial services sector, driven by wealth management, insurance, and fintech components, according to recent industry commentary from senior dealmakers. Firms like Carlyle, GTCR, and Warburg Pincus discussed trends driving these transactions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive capital solutions over single-strategy exposure, as noted by Bonaccord regarding multi-asset debt strategies. On the credit side, Permira is actively targeting discounted software loans to capitalize on market dislocation caused by shifts in how AI fears are reshaping credit markets. This focus on strategic credit acquisition contrasts with headwinds in financing large buyouts, as banks led by JPMorgan face resistance over the $7.2 billion debt package supporting Clayton, Dubilier & Rice’s Sealed Air acquisition.

Regulatory Landscape & Exit Planning

Regulatory scrutiny is tightening around retirement plan investments, as the US Department of Labor reinforced fiduciary guidelines for private equity and other alternative asset classes within 401(k) plans, demanding clearer expectations for fiduciaries. On the exit front, Brookfield’s David Nowak emphasized the importance of early engagement with strategic buyers, suggesting firms should begin educating potential acquirers three to five years prior to a potential exit. In parallel, Bank of America established a new Private Capital M&A Group to better position itself to service the growing demand for private equity exit opportunities. Meanwhile, institutional interest in accessing private markets remains, evidenced by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust issuing an RFP for a new investment manager for its global private equity fund allocations.