Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

Healthcare PE Consolidation

The private equity healthcare sector continued its consolidation trend with Nautic-backed Integrated Home Care Services acquiring Dina Care, expanding its in-home benefit management operations based in Miramar, Florida. Meanwhile, European healthcare specialists GHO Capital and CBC Group merged to create what they claim is the world's largest dedicated healthcare investment manager with over $21 billion in assets under management, with co-founders Mike Mortimer and Fu Wei set to serve as co-CEOs. This consolidation wave also saw Yellow Wood-backed Scholl's Wellness Company acquire athletic performance brand Vktry, while TSCP-backed Pest Co expanded its footprint through the acquisition of University Termite & Pest Control in St. Louis, Missouri. In the health tech space, Bregal Sagemount and Ardian backed Ennov with an investment that will support the company's AI innovation, global go-to-market acceleration, and product scaling initiatives.

Secondaries Market Activity

The private equity secondaries market experienced robust activity in Q1 2026, with 27 capital value (CV) deals closing, nine of which involved asset classes beyond traditional private equity. This trend has prompted fund managers to reconsider long-term implications as extended holding periods reshape private equity structures. GP stake sales are booming, raising diligence questions for limited partners invested in or considering relevant general partners' funds. Meanwhile, Investec's Callum Bell highlighted secondaries as "an excellent way to speed up platform growth," noting that the firm's inaugural European senior debt fund was launched through an innovative secondaries process backed by Carlyle Alp Invest. In a targeted approach, Cari Lodge's Aqualis set its sights on what it sees as an underserved part of the secondaries market: smaller transactions.

Sports & Entertainment Investments

Private equity's interest in sports assets intensified as Arctos Partners acquired a 10% stake in the NFL's Cleveland Browns at a valuation exceeding $9 billion, reflecting the rising values of premier sports franchises. This deal comes after Arctos received approval as a limited partner of the Cleveland Browns, indicating continued confidence in the sports entertainment sector. However, not all PE-backed sports investments have been straightforward, as Blue Owl Capital's Doug Ostrover exited his stake in the NFL's Washington Commanders back to the Josh Harris-led ownership group amid private credit pressures.

Manufacturing & Industrial Expansion

Private equity firms continued backing industrial manufacturing companies, with Grey Lion investing in Tanis Brush, a manufacturer whose products are used for precision cleaning, surface conditioning, and material handling across various end markets. In another move, Sky Peak unveiled Excelus, a new precision manufacturing company created by merging Excelus Manufacturing Solutions, D&G Machine Products, and Millennium Precision. Meanwhile, Kelso-backed Novvia expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of APC Packaging, reinforcing its position as a rigid container and life sciences packaging distributor.

Energy & Natural Resources

In the energy sector, Post Oak divested its UpCurve Energy assets, which included oil and gas assets located in the Southern Delaware Basin in West Texas, as private equity firms continue to adjust their energy portfolios amid shifting market dynamics.

Tech & Startup Funding

The technology investment landscape showed resilience with Balderton-backed payments startup Primer raising $100 million in a Series C funding round. China's robotics sector attracted substantial investment, with Crunchbase data showing that through mid-May alone, Chinese robotics companies had raised $5.6 billion across 176 deals, matching total venture funding to the nation's robotics sector for all of 2025. Carlyle leveraged rising interest in identity security to grow iC Consult before a pending sale to Bridgepoint, with the company reporting 20% annual revenue growth during Carlyle's five-year holding period. The European tech scene witnessed unconventional approaches to work-life balance, with some startups adopting a radical idea of taking Sunday off to improve employee well-being and productivity.

Financial Services & Direct Lending

In financial services, Switzerland's Publica planned a significant push into direct lending strategies, with the Swiss Federal Pension Fund preparing to commit up to $1.1 billion. Meanwhile, Leonard Green completed a take-private buyout of Mister Car Wash for $7 per share, putting the company at an enterprise valuation of $3.1 billion.