Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 26, 2026, 2:37 PM ET

Deal Activity & Portfolio Moves

Staple Street-backed Ivy Technology acquired ISP Tek Services, expanding its technology lifecycle services footprint as the firm continues building infrastructure capabilities. EQT consolidated its EV charging exposure through a merger of portfolio company Voltera with Revel Transit, taking majority control of the combined platform while BlackRock's GIP retains a significant stake. New Mountain Capital-backed Swoop purchased prescription management platform Nimble, extending the healthcare engagement company's reach into pharmaceutical services. Meanwhile, Arsenal announced the Velco acquisition with the Cripps Foundation maintaining its position as a minority shareholder post-close.

Fundraising & Capital Raises

EQT secured a €5 billion mandate from the European Union to manage the Scaleup Europe deep-tech fund, marking a significant win for the Swedish firm's technology investment platform. Seine Capital closed its debut fund 20% above target, exceeding expectations under founder Fabrice Moyne's leadership. Stord raised $250 million at a $3 billion valuation, capitalizing on demand for Amazon fulfillment alternatives as the logistics technology company scales its warehouse network. Eurazeo's Elevate team reached over €1 billion at first close of PME V, matching the final size of its predecessor fund in a single tranche.

Strategic Moves & Leadership Changes

Ardian appointed Mark Benedetti as co-CEO, elevating the 20-year firm veteran who has chaired the executive committee since September 2023. Arsenal added Bradley Brown as investment partner, tasking him with industrial technology strategies and investment execution across the firm's industrial leadership group. The GHO-CBC healthcare merger will create the world's largest healthcare private equity investor, linking Eastern and Western opportunities to reshape sector investing. General Catalyst led a $20 million Series A in Lucis, backing the YC alumni company as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across venture portfolios.

Investor Performance & LP Perspectives

CPP Investments grew to C$793.3 billion on a 7.8% fiscal 2026 return, with private equity comprising 22% of the fund's allocation as the Canadian pension giant continues its private markets push. However, software and currency headwinds weighed on CPP's private equity returns, highlighting challenges facing institutional investors in volatile markets. JPMorgan moved to offload $4 billion in NAV loans extended to private equity funds, seeking to reduce risk exposure as the bank rebalances its lending portfolio. LP demands for resiliency, repeatability and transparency have intensified as macro shocks reshape institutional expectations, according to forum participants including Nest Pensions and Cambridge Associates.

Sector Trends & Emerging Themes

Wealth management firms remain attractive to private equity buyers despite market uncertainties, with Carlyle, JC Flowers and HGGC active in the space due to strong client retention and stable pricing dynamics. Moneybox pursues AI-powered financial advice pending regulatory approval, reflecting fintech's race to integrate artificial intelligence while navigating compliance constraints. LSPedia received backing from Bregal Sagemount to accelerate product innovation and global expansion in health technology services. Seed round sizes continue expanding to $8-10 million levels typically seen in later stages, even as Series A conversion odds decline dramatically across venture markets.

Cross-Sector Investments

Wise Equity invested in Capita-Union Group's holding company Core, maintaining CEO Martino Fumagalli's leadership of the snowboarding brand as the firm pursues lifestyle consumer exposure. Greenbriar Equity-backed Applied Aerospace & Defense targets a $3.59 billion NYSE valuation in its planned listing, capitalizing on defense spending increases across NATO allies. Bow River invested in advisory firm SBI, keeping founder Matt Sharrers and senior partner Scott Gruher in leadership roles. The Permira I-MED Radiology exit alongside Bowmark and Bridgepoint's sale of Helio Intelligence to ECI demonstrates active sponsor monetization across healthcare and business services. Apollo tabled a $2.02 billion take-private bid for Bodycote, the London-listed heat treatment specialist, signaling continued appetite for public-to-private transactions in industrial sectors.