Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 8, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Dealmaking & Sector Activity

Private equity deal flow showed significant movement across defense, microfinance, and infrastructure, with Blackstone and Tinicum agreeing to acquire the London-listed aerospace and defense supplier Senior for $1.85 billion, echoing a trend where defense assets are in high demand. Separately, Blackstone and TPG finalized the take-private buyout of women’s health firm Hologic, securing significant minority participation from entities tied to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC. In emerging finance, Advent International is preparing an exit via a potential $250 million initial public offering for Svatantra Microfin, signaling appetite for non-banking financial companies in India.

The industrial and manufacturing sectors saw several portfolio changes as Agilitas agreed to sell Integris Composites, a specialist in high-performance survivability products, to Triton Partners, while Ardian exited its stake in Acousti Engineering to Gamut Capital Management, which plans to integrate the ceiling and flooring solutions provider. Further consolidation occurred in advisory services, where the Oaktree-backed GA Group acquired G2 Capital Advisors, a firm specializing in advisory, valuation, and liquidation services. In the competitive medical device space, Graham Partners purchased Midwest Products & Engineering from BPOC, while H.I.G.-backed Vernacare scooped up UK manufacturer Eakin Surgical.

Infrastructure & Credit Markets

Large-scale debt financing is ramping up for digital infrastructure, evidenced by Pacific Investment Management Co. anchoring a $14 billion debt package intended to finance an Oracle data center project in Michigan. Meanwhile, the broader liquidity environment is shifting, prompting Morgan Stanley to prepare the launch of a new private credit vehicle to capitalize on what it views as an ongoing market liquidity squeeze. In energy transition, Energy Capital Partners re-acquired EnergySolutions from Tri Artisan Capital Advisors, reflecting increased private capital focus on nuclear investment opportunities. Furthermore, Black Bay invested capital into Gulf Coast Midstream Partners to advance Phase I of the Nash Energy Storage Hub.

Leadership Changes & Investor Sentiment

Private equity firms adjusted senior leadership roles, with H.I.G. Capital appointing long-time executive Brian Schwartz as Chief Executive Officer, while Doug Berman was promoted to co-president alongside Rick Rosen. Separately, Round Hill named Chad Doerge as president and deputy CEO, transitioning him from his prior role as president and chief revenue officer at Aiera. Investor sentiment regarding infrastructure valuations remains cautious, as limited partners expressed doubt at a recent PEI Group summit that current infrastructure deals, often completed at or above fair market value, represent the best achievable prices. In a related personnel move, Jared Barlow, a partner responsible for firm oversight at the small deal-specialist Kline Hill, departed after joining at the firm's founding in 2015.

Tech, VC Dynamics, and Regulatory Focus

The intersection of technology and private capital reveals diverging investment patterns, with Q1 data showing that the most prolific startup investors were not those writing the largest checks, suggesting a split between volume-focused and value-focused deployment strategies. This trend is intensified by family offices bypassing traditional venture capital to gain direct exposure to AI startups, turning them toward riskier, earlier-stage bets. Simultaneously, regulators are increasing scrutiny on insurance sector exposure to private markets, while UK funds are reportedly receiving a major pension boost. Investment in emerging technology persists, with VC Eclipse securing $1.3 billion to back and incubate "physical AI" startups, even as experienced industry veterans offer advice on navigating the difficult environment for Software-as-a-Service companies dubbed the SaaSpocalypse. An industry veteran also offered guidance on overcoming the current technology downturn for investors, while noting that European tech companies that previously fled the continent may now consider returning.