Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 18, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Private Equity Fundraising & Secondaries Activity

The secondaries market continues its robust fundraising momentum, with data showing nearly €80 billion was secured by European venture capital and startups in the first quarter of 2026, raising questions about market absorption of public capital flooding into European VCs. Against this backdrop, Partners Group closed its newest private equity secondaries programme securing commitments exceeding $9 billion, one of the largest single closes announced recently. Separately, Lexington led a significant mandate for Met Life, which worked with Evercore to shop a $1.8 billion portfolio under the codename Project Trident, demonstrating continued high-value transactions in the GP-led space.

Credit & Real Estate Deployments

Firms are actively deploying capital into specialized credit and real assets, with Ares committing up to $300 million toward a new C-PACE financing vehicle designed to scale Clearwater’s property credit platform. In major real estate plays, the Canadian market saw a blockbuster transaction where KingSett Capital and Choice Properties agreed to acquire First Capital REIT in a deal valued at $6.85 billion, signaling strong institutional appetite for income-producing retail property assets. Meanwhile, firms like Pollen Street are building out GP-led strategies specifically targeting mid-market opportunities in Europe, leveraging recent hires such as Brookfield’s former co-head of sponsor solutions, Mark McDonald.

Dealmaking & Sector Focus

Private equity platforms are showing a strong interest in scaling specialized care sectors, evidenced by five recent deals in autism care involving major players like Aquitaine Capital and Goldman Sachs. In major corporate carve-outs, Carlyle finalized the acquisition of KFC Korea from Orchestra Private Equity, concluding a three-year turnaround strategy for the seller. The automotive and luxury supply chain saw activity as well, with PAI Partners-backed Pasubio acquiring Luilor, an Italian textile manufacturer servicing those high-end sectors, a move that could be aided by anticipated relaxation of EU antitrust rules potentially easing exit pathways.

Growth Equity & Public Market Exits

Growth-stage investment continues to prioritize disruptive technology and transport, as evidenced by the week’s largest private funding round, a $650 million financing secured by electric pickup truck maker Slate Auto. This focus on tangible assets is also seen in the autonomous vehicle space, where Q1 investment more than tripled in 2026, suggesting investors are backing operational companies rather than just research. In primary market activity, Madison Dearborn-backed Aevex is set to begin trading publicly today, with underwriting led by Goldman Sachs, Bof A Securities, and Jefferies. Furthermore, GIC-backed Envision AESC is exploring a Hong Kong listing that could generate proceeds up to $2 billion, aiming for a substantial IPO exit.

Minority Investments and Valuation Benchmarks

Firms continue to secure minority stakes at premium valuations, with General Atlantic bringing in Abu Dhabi capital for Joe & the Juice at an agreed-upon valuation of $1.8 billion. This transaction highlights the continued premium afforded to strong consumer brands with international reach. While much of the focus remains on control deals or growth rounds, the broader venture ecosystem saw Slate Auto's $650 million raise as the largest of the week, pulling significant capital alongside other large rounds in biotech and software infrastructure.