Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Dealmaking Activity & Sector Focus

Private equity firms continued to target specialized services and insurance adjacencies, evidenced by IK Partners agreeing to acquire Selatek from Amplio Private Equity. Selatek specializes in automation and security services for sensitive infrastructure, signaling continued PE interest in technical installation assets. In a related move focused on the insurance sector, Aptia, backed by Bain Capital Insurance, expanded its footprint by purchasing Pension Decision Service (PDS), which provides personalized retirement guidance for pension scheme members Bain Capit. Meanwhile, in the medical technology space, US-based TA Associates is reportedly eyeing an $810 million takeover of UK-listed Advanced Medical Solutions, showcasing substantial cross-border interest in healthcare targets TA Associates eyes $810m takeover.

Secondaries Market Dynamics & Pricing Friction

The secondaries market is experiencing significant activity driven by LP demand for liquidity amid a challenging fundraising environment, leading to a surge in first-time LP sellers. While buyers are currently inundated with opportunities, maintaining deployment pace remains a challenge for firms Firms anticipate increasing deployment speed. A key source of contention in these negotiations centers on pricing, with the bid-ask spread cited as the most contentious challenge in current transactions. Despite these frictions, market participants anticipate continued growth, with buyout strategies topping investor polls regarding future market focus Buyouts tops investor poll. Furthermore, industry leaders suggest that innovation, including the potential for AI to turbocharge underwriting, will be central to the market’s evolution, even if digital marketplaces have yet to gain traction AI may be poised to turbocharge secondaries.

Operational Challenges & The AI Timeline

Deal execution timelines are facing headwinds, particularly in advisory-heavy sectors, as the disruptive force of artificial intelligence reportedly slows down legal services deal execution. This speaks to a broader theme regarding the near-term viability of many AI-native companies, as some founders acknowledge that their current competitive advantage is temporary, existing only until foundational models fully integrate into their specific categories A lot of AI startups exist partly because. As European investors evaluate growth opportunities, there are diverging views on the rationale and valuation alignment within the booming GP-led secondaries market GP-led market is booming, suggesting that while capital is abundant, consensus on pricing remains elusive. These market observations are detailed in the inaugural Global Market Survey conducted by Secondaries Investor in partnership with Goodwin.

European Growth Vectors

European investors are actively seeking high-growth opportunities, though specific regional focuses remain varied. In Portugal, investors are closely monitoring several local technology firms, with 14 Portuguese startups identified as ones to watch across sectors. Separately, experts examining the continent's path forward suggest that several key lessons derived from the Silicon Valley playbook could be adapted for European innovation ecosystems Three lessons from Silicon Valley. This focus on scalable, innovative technology is reflected in the private equity appetite for specialized technical and digital service providers across the continent.