Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Private Equity Fundraising Milestones

The market for new private equity funds showed sustained appetite, particularly for debut efforts and specialized mandates, even as some strategists re-evaluate focus areas. Josh Harris’ 26North closed its debut fund at $5.9 billion, surpassing the initial target in a strong entry to the market. Separately, 154 Partners successfully capped its first PE fund at $400 million, demonstrating strong investor demand for lower mid-market strategies. In parallel, Carlyle has reached a $1.5 billion first close for a new asset-backed income fund, indicating continued LP interest in income-generating strategies, contrasting with Thoma Bravo's strategic pivot away from its growth equity platform to concentrate solely on core buyouts.

Mid-Market Acquisitions and Sector Focus

Activity across the middle market involved strategic bolt-on acquisitions and specialized platform plays across industrial and professional services sectors. HGGC-backed Equity Methods announced its purchase of Equity Plan Solutions, bolstering its advisory services in equity compensation and complex securities. In the industrial space, Gen Nx360-backed Horsburgh & Scott acquired Franklin Machine & Gear, a Cleveland-based provider of industrial gearing solutions. Meanwhile, Olympus Partners is taking a majority stake in fiber installation provider Network Connex from Orix Capital Partners, a deal also noted in connection with Carlyle AlpInvest’s activity in continuation vehicles.

Dealmaking in Technology and Healthcare

Large cap players continued to deploy capital into specialized technology and healthcare assets, while some firms adjusted their focus amid evolving disruption risks. AIP is reportedly taking medtech firm Avanos Medical private at an approximate valuation of $1.272 billion, a significant transaction in the healthcare services vertical. In technology, TPG agreed to acquire Learfield, a major media and technology platform dedicated to college athletics, expanding TPG’s sports investment footprint. Furthermore, in Europe, private equity firms including EQT, Advent, and KKR are examining PolyPeptide Group, signaling high-value interest in the contract development and manufacturing organization sector.

Secondaries Market and Credit Strategies

Liquidity solutions and portfolio recycling remained a major theme, with firms launching new secondaries platforms to meet investor demand for unlocking value. Sycamore Tree Capital Partners launched a credit secondaries strategy to capitalize on the rising need for portfolio liquidity in that asset class. This move mirrors broader institutional interest, as Samsung Asset Management eyes credit secondaries to potentially gain downside protection against macro fluctuations. In a major secondary market transaction, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Ardian jointly acquired a $1 billion portfolio from CIC at a reported discount. Additionally, Pantheon led a sustainability-focused continuation vehicle for Nordics investor Alder, moving two Article 9 assets into the structure.

Talent Moves and Fintech Infrastructure

Firms continued to bolster senior leadership to drive investment sourcing and execution across key verticals like fintech and accounting services. THL Partners appointed Dave Guilmette as executive partner to focus on identifying opportunities within the insurance and broader financial services ecosystem. In a related move signaling sector depth, Battery Ventures noted investor interest in accounting while discussing resilience to AI disruption in software. On the technology infrastructure front, a16z led a $20 million seed round for Pillar, a financial risk management platform aiming to deliver institutional-grade hedging tools to SMEs.

European Trends: AI and Defense

European dealmaking continues to be shaped by technological shifts and geopolitical concerns, with venture funding showing resilience driven by artificial intelligence. European venture funding reached $17.6 billion in Q1 2026, representing a nearly 30% year-over-year increase, largely fueled by AI investments despite a sharp fall in overall deal volume. Beyond pure tech, there is spreading appetite for defense assets in the region, exemplified by the MEAG-Warburg Pincus deal, suggesting US managers are keen to apply their defense sector expertise overseas. Separately, firms like Newfund successfully raised €60 million specifically to back emerging brain technologies, showing a targeted approach to deep tech.