Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 24, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Sector Focus

Private equity appetite for healthcare services remains high, with PE-backed MyEye Dr acquiring Lumina Vision Partners in a move consolidating vision care provision, while in dental services, Cathay Capital-backed Parkview Dental Partners snapped up VIP Dental. The orthopedic sector is also seeing intense interest, as lower development risk draws firms like Archimed, Cinven, and Gemspring toward orthopedics and medical devices, exemplified by Apollo’s recent $1.25 billion minority investment in the space. Elsewhere in specialized services, Avance-backed Alchemy Technology Group acquired cybersecurity firm IOvations, bolstering its IT advisory capabilities, and Drake Star suggests sizable video gaming transactions are forthcoming, even as Allied Industrial-backed CES Power quietly completed three acquisitions in Ireland.

Venture Capital & Growth Equity Trends

While venture megarounds have somewhat moderated, with only half of the top 10 weekly rounds exceeding $100 million, several high-growth startups secured substantial funding. ComfyUI achieved a $500 million valuation following a $30 million raise, reflecting creator demand for enhanced control over AI-generated media, though this contrasts with recent high-profile governance issues. In a related governance matter, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer publicly blasted a founder he backed, Joseph Sanberg, stating he was "duped and feel silly" following a fraud conviction, illustrating the downside risk inherent in backing unvetted entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the IPO window remains partially ajar, with filings increasing for startups in areas like semiconductors, biotech, and space and defense tech queuing up for potential listings.

European Market Activity & Capital Formation

European deal flow continues with strategic investments across technology and infrastructure. Data center developer Verda raised €100 million to fund its expansion into new markets and plans to hire over 100 staff to build out its European hyperscaler capacity. The region’s technology ecosystem is also being mapped, identifying over 70 spacetech startups reaching for the stars across the continent. On the fundraising side, Manna Tree appointed Jessica Schmitt as capital formation managing director to lead investor relations, capitalizing on sustained consumer interest in health and wellness investments. In contrast to new capital raises, Japanese limited partners are finding participation in credit secondaries challenging due to information asymmetry, according to speakers at a recent Private Debt Investor Tokyo Forum.

Executive Movements & Industry Events

Industry leadership and event announcements signal continued focus on operational expertise within the technology sector. Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga will join the StrictlyVC San Francisco lineup for its April 30 event, suggesting high-level executive engagement in the Bay Area venture scene. Separately, Wolt CEO and Slush chair Marianne Vikkula shared leadership insights covering the development of a superapp and the "secret sauce" behind the major Nordic tech conference.