Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 12, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Deal Flow & Sector Activity

Private equity dealmaking saw volumes contract while overall transaction value expanded in the first quarter of 2026, suggesting that firms are focusing capital on fewer, larger targets deal volume dropped. This trend is reflected in recent high-profile acquisitions, including Lone Star’s finalization of its purchase of DOMO Engineered Materials, a producer of polyamide-based engineered materials. On the exit front, Gen Nx360 divested Precision Aviation Group to VSE for a consideration exceeding $2bn, underscoring continued appetite for specialized aerospace services. Elsewhere, Goldman Sachs Alternatives acquired commercial finance firm FGI, appointing co-founder Sami Altaher as the new CEO following the transaction.

Thematic & Vertical Investments

Activity in specialized technology and healthcare platforms remained active, with firms deploying capital to accelerate growth in niche markets. Lorient provided investment to health platform Peter MD explicitly to fuel its ongoing national expansion efforts. In the life sciences space, a Branford Castle-backed entity purchased Sutter Instrument, a manufacturer of scientific instrumentation relevant to polygraph and human evaluation markets. Further bolstering professional services, AnaCap initiated its Italian platform Titan, which immediately agreed to acquire a majority stake in Cattaneo Dall’Olio Rho Tax & Legal Group. Meanwhile, in the biopharma consulting sector, Five Arrows-backed BioPhorum scooped up Pharma X Solutions.

European Tech & AI Infrastructure

European private equity and venture capital is increasingly targeting the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector, with reports suggesting a growing percentage of 2026 venture funding was AI-driven, supporting frontier model companies. This capital deployment is set against a backdrop where Europe's AI startups are now expected to poach more senior talent from established Big Tech firms, although a looming commercial talent crunch is noted for quantum computing startups talent crunch looms. In infrastructure, Blackstone and Halliburton committed a combined $1bn to Volta Grid to deploy behind-the-meter power generation solutions essential for data centers and microgrids. In IoT, Verdane is moving to acquire a stake in Telenor Connexion, the IoT unit of the multinational telecom operator.

Secondaries Market Caution & Data Gaps

The secondaries market is experiencing a temporary slowdown, with industry participants urging caution, particularly regarding evergreen fund marketing, as general uncertainty has put a noticeable dent in otherwise burgeoning volumes. Specific segments, such as software, are proving difficult to close, according to Harbour Vest, as managers assess which software businesses will benefit from AI innovation versus those that risk obsolescence software secondaries proving harder. Addressing market transparency, one firm detailed how its work in creating asset-level indices is intended to fill long-standing data gaps in private markets, thereby improving alpha measurement for investors asset-level data matters.

Sports & Testing Acquisitions

Dealmaking continued in the sports and testing consultancy sectors, often involving minority stakes or strategic add-ons. Bruin Capital took a minority stake in Matchroom Sport, the entity that owns, produces, and promotes numerous sporting events. On the testing side, the Bridgepoint-backed NMi Group agreed to acquire Techno Lab, a Berlin-based environmental and mechanical testing laboratory. This acquisition aligns with broader European M&A sentiment, where new merger guidelines are viewed as a broad positive for PE deals, as firms like EQT continue to press forward with final bids for major targets, such as Intertek.

Growth Equity and Business Development Hires

Growth-stage investing remains active, highlighted by a substantial co-led funding round for a payments processor. Apis and Aspirity jointly led a $175M investment into Paymentology, a platform specializing in card issuing and processing for banks and fintechs. Meanwhile, firms are strengthening their origination capabilities; Calera Capital appointed Michael O’Brien as managing director and head of business development, bringing him over from Valspring Capital where he held a similar role. Separately, Dynasty Equity’s CEO noted that technology is increasingly enabling PE investors to better tap into global sports fandoms through sports-enabled operating businesses and adjacent assets.