Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: March 31, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Fundraising & Allocations

Mid-market specialist Inflexion successfully closed its Buyout Fund VII at €4.5 billion (approximately $4.9 , exceeding its target amid surging demand for mid-market exposure, a development that saw the firm strategically bring in first-time wealth capital from wealth managers to supplement institutional commitments. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust issued an RFP seeking a new investment manager to handle allocations dedicated to global private equity funds, signaling continued institutional interest in the asset class despite liquidity concerns. Meanwhile, the continued interest in alternative strategies was underscored by Bonaccord securing a minority stake in Prime Finance, as their principal noted that pension and insurance investors seek comprehensive capital solutions across real estate debt rather than single-strategy exposure.

Deal Activity & Sector Focus

Private equity dealmaking remains active across several verticals, with significant activity seen in healthcare and specialized technical services. CVC Capital Partners submitted a non-binding offer valuing the Italian pharmaceutical firm Recordati at $12.6 billion to take it private, while in the U.S., Monument-backed Champion Wellness Centers scooped up Boca Chiropractic to expand its Florida network of multidisciplinary wellness facilities. The healthcare tech space also saw action as Bridgepoint-backed Prescient acquired Dolon, a London-based consultancy focusing on pricing and market access for rare diseases and oncology. Furthermore, Astorg agreed to purchase the French B2B technical services provider Barkene from Montefiore Investment, illustrating a sustained appetite for specialized industrial and business services acquisitions.

Healthcare & Tech Acquisitions

The confluence of financial services, healthcare, and technology continues to drive M&A, with dealmakers from firms including Carlyle and Warburg Pincus noting trends in wealth, insurance, and fintech bolstering deal flow. In specialized healthcare, Kain Capital invested in White Wilson Medical Center, appointing a new CEO concurrently with the transaction, while Gryphon-backed VIP acquired Frederick Eye Institute, growing its Mid-Atlantic eye care platform to 69 locations. In the infrastructure and industrial sectors, Coalesce-backed Miller acquired Haz-Mat and Canco to enhance its waste and environmental services portfolio, and Grove Mountain-backed Hills Distribution purchased Bender Plumbing Supply, broadening its offerings in plumbing and HVAC equipment distribution.

Credit Markets & Exit Strategy

As technology valuations shift, private equity firms are adapting their credit strategies, with Permira reportedly targeting discounted software loans as fears surrounding artificial intelligence reshape credit market pricing. Concurrently, large buyout financing packages are still hitting resistance, as banks led by JPMorgan face investor pushback over the $7.2 billion debt package underwriting the CD&R buyout of Sealed Air. On the exit front, Brookfield’s David Nowak emphasized the importance of educating strategic buyers early in the ownership period—a three- to five-year process—to facilitate smoother divestitures. In a separate exit, GHK sold ITS Logistics to Echo Global Logistics, a Chicago-based supply chain management provider.

Regulatory Environment & Talent Flow

Regulatory shifts are influencing how pension capital accesses private markets, as the US Department of Labor proposed easing litigation fears for pension fiduciaries offering alternatives like private equity within 401(k) plans, although the framework remains stricter than previously seen. This push to integrate alternatives into defined contribution plans contrasts with internal challenges within certain funds, such as the UK's flagship female founder fund losing two founding partners. Separately, the appeal of industry experience over traditional academic paths is growing, as some suggest that the phrase "going into industry" needs reevaluation within academia, reflecting a broader shift in valuing practical application. In the burgeoning AI sector, a former Coatue partner successfully raised a $65 million seed round for an enterprise AI agent startup, drawing significant investor interest early on, illustrating the intense race to rapidly develop voice AI capabilities.

Secondary Markets & Corporate Moves

Activity in the secondary market could see capital injections as liquidity pressures emerge, exemplified by reports that a private equity firm experienced an LP default. Furthermore, the broader financial services sector is seeing structural changes, with Bank of America launching a dedicated Private Capital M&A Group to capitalize on increasing private equity exit volumes. In corporate activity, Alantra plans to divest a minority stake in fund-of-fund manager ACP for €115.1 million, with the transaction anticipated to close in the second half of the year. Finally, BlackRock-managed funds invested approximately $57 million into IQM Quantum, supporting the firm ahead of its anticipated $1.8 billion initial public offering in quantum computing.