Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: May 29, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

AI and Technology Investments

The private equity landscape continues to pivot toward artificial intelligence investments as Groq seeks to raise $650 million in internal funding while shifting focus from hardware to AI inference capabilities. This move comes amid a broader AI financing trend highlighted by Apollo and Blackstone orchestrating a record $36 billion debt financing package for Anthropic's AI build-out, marking one of the largest private credit deals in history. Meanwhile, former Deep Mind researchers have secured $50 million for their AI science startup Inherent, while an ex-Spotify executive is leveraging AI to help venture capitalists evaluate startups in a crowded funding environment.

Firm Leadership and Strategic Expansions

European private equity firms are actively strengthening their leadership teams and regional footprints. EQT has appointed Nicholas Macksey and Hari Gopalakrishnan to co-lead its Private Capital Asia business, with the mandate to deploy a record $15.6 billion regional fund. In parallel, Quad-C has brought on Ali Shams as managing director, adding technology expertise from his previous role at HIG Capital. Meanwhile, BCI has established a dedicated Capital Solutions Group within its private equity unit to provide financing to buyout firms struggling with a prolonged exit drought, addressing a critical pain point in the current market environment.

M&A and Strategic Divestitures

The market has seen significant M&A activity, with CVC nearing completion of a $4 billion acquisition of IFF's food ingredients division, a deal that would generate approximately $3.8 billion in net cash proceeds for the seller. In a separate transaction, MidOcean has agreed to sell Zonda to CoStar Group, continuing the consolidation trend in the real estate analytics sector. Meanwhile, HSG has emerged as the frontrunner to acquire Blackstone's 45% stake in Leica Camera, potentially reshaping ownership of the premium camera manufacturer. Ares Management is also restructuring Eagle Football, whose flagship asset is French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, as Met Life considers lender terms in this complex sports ownership transaction.

Healthcare and Consumer Sector Focus

Private equity continues to target healthcare assets, with Kinderhook Industries entering the hospice care segment while firms like AEA Investors, Bridgepoint, and Kohlberg actively pursue oncology sector opportunities across multiple deals. In the consumer space, Axum Capital has invested in nutrition brand Vita Hustle, founded in 2022 by celebrities Kevin Hart and Ron Everline. Additionally, a new funding platform launched by PayPal veterans aims to address the gender gap in venture capital by providing women-led businesses with alternative funding opportunities, reflecting the industry's growing focus on diversity and inclusion.

Market Dynamics and Investment Strategies

The private equity industry is confronting evolving fundraising dynamics, particularly in Canada where the market has experienced significant fluctuations between peaks and troughs despite record investment levels. Industry experts suggest that operating model discipline ultimately drives performance more than compelling investment theses, highlighting the importance of execution in value creation. Littlejohn Capital has completed a continuation fund for commercial building services firm Valcourt Group, with Carlyle Alp Invest serving as the lead investor, demonstrating continued activity in secondary strategies amid challenging exit conditions. As firms navigate these complexities, many are adopting more flexible approaches to capital deployment, with BCI's new initiative exemplifying the industry's adaptation to prolonged liquidity constraints.