Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: April 27, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Middle Market & Sector Acquisitions

Private equity activity remained broad across sectors, with several strategic bolt-on acquisitions announced. Southfield Capital's portfolio company, Protos, which specializes in tech-enabled managed security services based in Norwalk, Connecticut, finalized the purchase of At-Risk International finalizing a security consolidation. In the energy infrastructure space, Stonepeak and Bernhard Capital are with the acquisition of electric utility Cleco from a seller group that included Macquarie Asset Management and Manulife Investment Management. Elsewhere, the specialized services segment saw activity as The Sterling Group Foundation Fund acquired wastewater services firm Scruggs, taking the asset from its previous owner, Rox Capital Partners acquiring a wastewater firm. Furthermore, Pelican Energy Partners snapped up Environmental Services Inc. with plans to integrate EAI into its existing nuclear containment portfolio platform.

Healthcare & Consumer Services Deals

Deals in consumer-facing services and healthcare continued apace, demonstrating resilience in recession-resistant areas. Pharmacy operators remain a compelling mid-market play, according to analysts at Bass, Berry & Sims, citing the sector's inherent stability as a high-resilience investment target. In international fitness, Providence Equity-backed Viva Gym announced plans to purchase its Spanish peer, Synergym, based in Málaga expanding its gym footprint. Separately, in the supported living sphere, Sovereign-backed Eden Futures picked up Complesso, a provider of home-based supported living services for individuals broadening its care offerings. Meanwhile, the European digital commerce space saw a significant valuation marker, as online resale platform Vinted achieved an €8 billion valuation following a substantial secondary share sale.

Corporate Services & Enterprise Software Transactions

Large-scale corporate carve-outs and software acquisitions defined the services transaction market. Bridgepoint is moving to secure a majority stake in iC Consult from Carlyle Group, with the target serving global enterprises across finance, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Separately, another Bridgepoint portfolio company, Fera, completed the purchase of 3Keel, a consultancy that addresses risks across complex supply chains and food systems, with one source noting that dealmaking excitement is currently being tempered by hesitation in the market hesitation dampening deal excitement. In the corporate apparel sector, Sullivan Street Partners acquired Mi Hub, a uniform provider operating through brands such as Dimensions and Alexandra, from LDC taking control of a uniform provider.

Insurance, Fintech, and Sports Ecosystem Investment

Private equity firms are showing targeted interest in niche financial and sports verticals. Lovell Minnick-backed Newport Specialty Partners made an investment into Complex Coverage, which forms part of a newly established specialty insurance platform backing a new insurance platform. In fintech, personal loan provider Kashable, which offers credit and financial wellness programs as an employee benefit, secured $60 million in Series C funding led by Goldman Sachs. The broader sports ecosystem is attracting significant capital, with firms including TPG, and Otro pursuing deals in related technology and consumer segments; Harbinger Sports Partners also announced the initial closing of its first fund aimed at acquiring professional sports teams targeting professional sports assets.

Operational Moves & Investor Sentiment

Firms are also making key internal and strategic shifts amid evolving LP demands. Maple Park appointed Robert Zell, formerly the COO and CCO at Alta Fox Capital Management, as its new Chief Financial Officer installing a new CFO. On the investor side, limited partners are seeking greater transparency, looking to blindpool fund side letters to gain better visibility into key terms, particularly as some LPs face being forced sellers due to extended election periods within agreements LPs seeking enhanced visibility. Meanwhile, in the venture capital space, multifamily office Twin Focus has expressed skepticism regarding the asset class, planning to avoid venture capital for family office clients, while multifamily office head Paul Karger stated he prefers to bypass managers who are "swimming in crowded pools" avoiding crowded investment pools.