Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 11, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Mega-Deals and AI Infrastructure Funding

The artificial intelligence sector continues to attract massive private capital infusions, with OpenAI securing over $4bn in a funding round led by TPG alongside co-lead founding partners Advent, Bain Capital, and Brookfield to establish its new OpenAI Deployment Company. This capital flow mirrors the strategic deployment of funds into the physical backbone supporting AI, as Blackstone and Halliburton committed a combined $1bn investment into Volta Grid to accelerate the deployment of behind-the-meter power generation solutions specifically targeting data centers and microgrids. Separately, Blackstone is also finalizing the acquisition of a majority stake in Skroutz, the Greek online marketplace, from CVC, while Apollo is moving to take live events firms Emerald Holding and Questex private in a transaction valued at $1.5 billion.

Mid-Market Transactions and Exits

Activity in the mid-market saw several strategic acquisitions and divestitures across sectors, including the sale of the OVO retail energy business by Mayfair Equity Partners to EON, encompassing the operating company, customer base, and brand name. In the consulting space, Five Arrows-backed Bio Phorum expanded its footprint by scooping up PharmaX Solutions, a London-based biopharma consultant. Meanwhile, exits included LDC divesting construction data firm BCIS to Bowmark Capital, with the transaction involving the sale of the subscription-based building cost and carbon data provider. Further consolidation occurred in automated retail, where Dominus-backed Seaga Manufacturing snapped up Three Square Market, a provider of intelligent inventory control solutions based in Freeport, Illinois.

Sector-Specific Consolidations and Platform Builds

Private equity firms are actively building platforms through strategic tuck-in acquisitions, particularly in technology and specialized services. Ana Cap initiated its Italian professional services platform, Titan, by agreeing to acquire a majority stake in Cattaneo Dall’Olio Rho Tax & Legal Group. In the home services arena, Pollen Street plans to acquire a majority stake in a newly formed entity combining Hometree and the Home Services division of OVO Energy. In the Nordic region, Altor announced plans to acquire a majority stake in Sertion, a specialist in complex pipework services for industrial and infrastructure clients, while simultaneously launching an offer for the AI-powered sleep tracking application, Sleep Cycle. Concurrently, Providence Equity-backed 365 Retail Markets acquired retail tech firm Cantaloupe based in Troy, Michigan.

Fundraising Dynamics and Investor Strategy

Capital raising continues at the GP level, even as dealmaking deadlines loom, with Robinhood confidentially filing for its second venture fund focused on early-stage and growth startups. Large institutional commitments signal continued appetite for global growth strategies; the Qatar Investment Authority committed $500m to General Atlantic’s global investment strategies, intending to collaborate on thematic research for enhanced sourcing conviction. In the secondaries market, Coller emerged as the sole lead on Verdane’s multi-asset continuation vehicle exceeding €600 million, a structure that Step Stone co-underwrote, marking a second instance of a firm moving assets into a CV. Furthermore, DBJ Asset Management signaled intentions to actively pursue new GP partnerships and expand its private equity exposure starting in 2026.

Europe Focus: Defense, Tech, and Sports Investments

European dealmaking is showing targeted interest in defense-adjacent sectors and specialized technology, with M&G observing opportunities to use private capital to bolster defense capabilities and finance manufacturing conversions, according to its CIO Emmanuel Debl. Thought leaders in the sports ecosystem suggest that business models are finally aligning with the high levels of consumer passion, evidenced by Dynasty Equity’s portfolio including assets like Liverpool FC and TMRW Sports. Meanwhile, in the tech sphere, movement in quantum computing saw software startup Algorithmiq raise €18m and relocate its operations to Italy, while European scaleups generally look toward sustained investment to facilitate further growth as noted by Sifted. In internal firm news, Calera Capital tapped Michael O’Brien from Valspring Capital to serve as managing director and head of business development.