Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Infrastructure & Mega-Deals

The appetite for large-scale infrastructure investment remains potent, evidenced by Blackstone raising $1.75bn in a record blind-pool real estate investment trust IPO specifically targeting AI data centers. Concurrently, BlackRock's GIP, Temasek, and Abu Dhabi heavyweights announced the launch of a $30bn infrastructure platform focused on Gulf and Central Asia, signaling major capital coordination in strategic regions. Furthermore, in a substantial transaction, Brookfield is set to acquire World Freight Company from PAI Partners & EQT for an enterprise value of approximately $1.2bn, showcasing ongoing M&A activity in global logistics management.

Technology & Venture Capital Activity

Venture returns continue to materialize, with Benchmark realizing billions from the Cerebras IPO, despite initial hesitation from partner Eric Vishria regarding hardware investments a decade ago. In contrast, venture capital deployment shows continued interest in specialized AI applications; Khosla Ventures is betting $10M on Ian Crosby's new autonomous AI bookkeeping service, Synthetic, following the failure of his previous venture, Bench. Meanwhile, robotics and physical AI startups are securing growth capital, as Xpanner landed $18M in Series B funding to scale its 'Automation As A Service' offering for construction sites.

Mid-Market Buyouts & Sector Investments

Private equity dealmaking across various sectors saw several new investments and sponsor exits. Welsh Carson is gearing up for its 15th flagship fund, targeting $5bn for mid-market buyouts predominantly in North America. In vertical-specific plays, Sunstone Partners backed Peloton Consulting Group to expand its operational modernization services across retail and manufacturing, while Good Springs made an investment into Snyder Environmental Services, focusing on water and wastewater infrastructure. On the consumer front, L Catterton took a stake in Saint Bella Group, partnering to build a global family-care platform originating from China.

Secondaries Market & Advisory Consolidation

The secondaries market is reflecting a growing emphasis on scale and specialized talent acquisition. The recent Lazard acquisition of Campbell Lutyens underscores that size is becoming a prerequisite for success in advisory services, though room remains for more focused players. This trend is mirrored by talent migration, as Evercore onboarded senior secondaries talent from Campbell Lutyens, signaling a strategic push by investment banks to bolster their specialized capital advisory teams, including building out credit secondaries in Europe. Moreover, rising demand from buyers is affecting valuations, with Houlihan Lokey reporting that the percentage of Contingent Value Rights (CVs) priced in the lower range has contracted due to increased buyside capital formation.

European Deal Flow & Conference Circuit

Activity in European dealmaking is active, though some regions face headwinds; for instance, Indian private equity activity has slowed. In Nordic markets, Verdane finalized its take-private of Augmentum Fintech following shareholder approval, marking a rare investment trust buyout, while simultaneously completing the acquisition. On the corporate development front, specialist advisory firm ZRG, backed by RFE, acquired staffing firm Sterling Martin Associates to bolster its global talent advisory footprint. dealmakers are preparing for a busy fall and spring circuit, with major conferences scheduled across Europe: Stockholm hosting in November, Paris and Frankfurt both set for March, and Madrid scheduled for October Iberia's largest PE conference.

Energy M&A and LP Relations

The energy sector faces complex dynamics, with Houlihan Lokey flagging approximately $30bn in oil and gas assets potentially coming to market, influenced by geopolitical factors like the Iran War's impact on upstream M&A. In contrast, defense investment in the UK requires a smarter capital policy to capitalize on strategic opportunities, as current regulatory frameworks risk repelling necessary investment. Separately, dealmakers are reminded that maintaining strong Limited Partner relationships remains paramount; professionals should avoid cold-shouldering LPs during Annual General Meetings as these interactions directly impact future capital raising efforts.