Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 1, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Market Outlook & GP Strategy

The private equity outlook may finally brighten despite ongoing market turbulence, though general partners (GPs) are being forced to adopt a more pragmatic approach to valuations as limited partners (LPs) intensify demand for distributions. Partners Group emphasized that successful transformation and exiting assets remain possible in this unsettled environment, provided asset quality is paramount. This strategic focus comes as an estimated 207 AI-focused companies have achieved $1 billion valuations since 2024, representing roughly half of all new unicorns created in that period, signaling where future value creation lies.

Secondaries & Liquidity Solutions

Market volatility and persistent liquidity constraints are making a compelling case for the secondaries market, according to Pomona Capital CEO Michael Granoff, who noted that an evolving investor base further supports this trend. South Korean pension fund GEPS plans to be active in secondaries across private equity, debt, real estate, and infrastructure in 2026, while also earmarking $150 million to $200 million for buyout and secondaries funds in the coming year. Separately, infrastructure fund investment head Kate Roscoe indicated that while rising retail flows offer a new exit route for infrastructure assets, they simultaneously introduce new complexities, prompting firms like Manulife to purchase infrastructure CVs and secondaries to address low distribution-to-paid-in (DPI) ratios. The US Department of Labor’s proposal regarding 401(k) plans flagged concerns over CVs but should not lead investors to dismiss them entirely.

Dealmaking & Sector Activity

Activity remains steady across several sectors, with Clearlake finalizing its buyout of power and electric services platform Qualusfrom** [New Mountain Capital. In infrastructure, Freshstream is preparing to divest regional aircraft lessor True Noordto** [Arcus Infrastructure. Furthermore, GTCR is launching a new platform called Avelis Holdings, appointing Brian Crotty as its Chief Executive Officer. In the construction materials space, Martin Marietta intends to acquire New Frontier Materials, the** [Declaration Partners-backed platform. Elsewhere, T2Y Capital secured a majority investment in Ackermann, a firm specializing in customized industrial automation systems, and DBAY-backed Finsbury Food Groupexpanded via the acquisition of snack bar producer** [[Flower & White](https://headlinesbriefing.com/private-markets/pe-hub/finsbury-food-group-buys-uk-snack-brand-flower-white-84c1bdb4).

Technology, AI, and Venture Capital Inflows

Private markets investors positioning themselves with preferential access to high-quality AI opportunities should be well-placed to benefit from accelerating innovation, Adams Street Partners noted. This focus is mirrored by the venture capital community, where 137 Ventures, a backer of SpaceX and Anduril, successfully raised over $700 million across two dedicated growth-stage funds. On the corporate venture side, Nvidia’s venture arm, NVentures, participated in a $50 million extension for Swedish legal tech startup Legora, bringing its Series D round total up. Meanwhile, European tech investors are bracing for increased competition and the necessity of partial exits, according to Bain & Co. analysis. VCs are closely monitoring the next cohort of innovators, with Sifted identifying 15 hardware startups to watch in 2026.

Talent, Succession, and Health Tech

The industry is actively structuring talent pools and succession plans, evidenced by Beach Point appointing Fred Storz as a Managing Director based in its New York office, and Greybull Stewardship tapping Kevin Mohr, who has two decades of US Coast Guard financial leadership experience, as a CFO operating partner. PE International is profiling the next generation of leadership in its Future 40 list for 2026, including profiles of up-and-coming dealmakers. In specialized sectors, KKR has formed Hometown Soccer Holdings to support the evolution of the professional men’s soccer league MLS Next Pro. Furthermore, founders are achieving billion-dollar exits from unconventional businesses; one founder recounted achieving success by capitalizing on discarded fish skins, while the ecosystem around Europe's hottest AI startups is fostering what one commentator termed a 'lovable mafia'. In health technology, Hertility CEO Helen O’Neill is focused on building a foundational model for women’s health.

Investor Access & Manager Quality

The trend toward providing individual investors with institutional-quality access to private markets is accelerating, according to executives from Step Stone Private Wealth. Despite shifts in geography, Cambridge Associates maintains that manager quality remains the overriding factor for alpha-seekers, suggesting a high-quality GP is desirable regardless of its regional focus. In Europe, Lazard and Campbell Lutyens have formed a strategic alliance. Specialty firm Algebris is acquiring a stake in Italy’s Geosec, which provides soil and foundation consolidation services for infrastructure, while Battery Ventures-backed Verti GIScompleted the acquisition of location master data management** [software provider 1Spatial. Finally, Boomerang-backed Pinnaqlexecuted its third tuck-in acquisition in ten months by snapping up* [*Pharma Resource Group.