Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 19, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Deal‑making & Platform Growth Created a precision‑manufacturing platform as Sky Peak merged Excelus Manufacturing, D&G Machine and Millennium Precision, positioning the new entity to capture rising demand for high‑tolerance components in aerospace and medical devices. In parallel, Novvia added a packaging specialist by acquiring APC Packaging, expanding its rigid‑container distribution network across North America and strengthening its life‑sciences franchise.

Sports & Entertainment Exits Sold a remaining NFL stake when Blue Owl co‑founder Doug Ostrover transferred his Washington Commanders share back to the Josh Harris‑led ownership group, underscoring private‑credit pressure on illiquid sports assets and prompting other investors to reassess valuation caps on franchise holdings.

European Mega‑Fund Allocation EQT secured the EU’s €5bn super‑fund and, as the firm detailed its pipeline, it now tracks more than 100 target companies, signaling a broad‑based push into climate‑tech, health and digital infrastructure across the bloc. The win follows intense competition among sovereign‑backed funds and highlights the EU’s commitment to channel capital into strategic growth sectors.

Take‑Private Activity – Automotive Services Completed a take‑private at $7 per share for Mister Car Wash, delivering a $3.1bn enterprise value and giving Leonard Green a platform to roll‑up regional car‑wash operators, a sector where fragmented ownership and recurring cash flow attract deep‑value investors.

Consumer & Lifestyle Acquisitions Closed a luxury‑brand deal as Oaktree‑ and Ares‑backed WHP Global agreed to buy Marc Jacobs from LVMH, adding a heritage label with $1.4bn of 2023 sales to its growing portfolio of fashion and lifestyle assets. Shortly after, Boyne Capital backed a niche apparel brand called Local Boys Outfitters, partnering with Sisu Equity and Consumer Growth Partners to fuel e‑commerce expansion in the U.S. market.

Tech‑Infrastructure Joint Ventures Launched a $5bn AI‑infrastructure JV when Blackstone pledged the same amount in equity to Google, targeting 500 MW of compute capacity by 2027 and positioning the partnership to supply training clusters for large‑language models amid soaring demand for generative‑AI services. The move dovetails with Blackstone’s broader push to embed technology operators within its portfolio, as highlighted in a recent value‑creation survey.

Private‑Credit Scale Closed a $19bn direct‑lending vehicle for Barings, marking one of the year’s largest capital raises and reflecting continued investor appetite for senior‑secured loan exposure amid tightening bank balance sheets. The fund will focus on middle‑market U.S. borrowers, a segment where covenant‑light structures have become increasingly common.

Special‑situations Financing Refinanced a UK care provider with a £90 m unitranche facility from H.I.G. Bayside, extending the borrower’s debt maturity and reducing covenant intensity, a typical play for special‑situations firms seeking stable cash‑flow assets in regulated markets. Across the Atlantic, Hull Street acquired a clean‑energy portfolio from PSP Investments, adding nearly 1,400 MW of Northeast generation capacity and reinforcing its strategy to aggregate renewable assets for scale‑economy benefits.

Fleet & Logistics Consolidation Snapped up a truck‑service provider as Garnett Station‑backed True North purchased Miles Truck Services, expanding its platform of fleet‑maintenance operators and creating cross‑selling opportunities within its growing logistics ecosystem.

Payments & Embedded Finance Expansion Acquired a payment‑tech firm when NMI bought Dwolla, enhancing its embedded‑payments stack and positioning the platform to capture a larger share of B2B transaction volumes as merchants increasingly demand seamless checkout experiences.

Healthcare & AI‑Enabled Services Invested in a health‑tech AI platform as Verdane backed Berlin‑based ETERNO, a company building an AI‑native operating system for outpatient care, reflecting private‑equity confidence that digital health solutions can deliver margin expansion in a fragmented market.

Strategic Talent Additions Added a sports‑investment partner when Weatherford Capital hired Todd Marcy, signaling the firm’s intent to deepen its exposure to the growing sports‑media and esports sectors and to leverage Marcy’s network for future deal sourcing.