Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 1, 2026, 2:31 PM ET

M&A and Strategic Deals

Private equity continues to drive consolidation across multiple sectors as Thoma Bravo's portfolio companies completed a merger between WWEX Group, a third-party logistics provider, and Auctane, a technology company known for Ship Station and Stamps.com. Meanwhile, Onex and Neuberger Berman-backed Ryan has struck a $400 million deal to acquire Nordic tax adviser Svalner Atlas Advisors, expanding the Texas-based tax services group's European footprint. In the food services space, Long Range Capital has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Pizza Hut from Yum Brands, potentially one of the largest fast-food restaurant acquisitions in recent years. Bridgepoint has invested in Sweden's Stockfiller, a digital procurement and logistics platform serving over 80% of grocery retail stores in the country, as private equity continues to target digital transformation in traditional industries.

Fund Raising and Capital Deployment

The race to capitalize on artificial intelligence intensifies as Anthropic filed confidentially for an IPO, marking the latest generative AI giant to pursue public markets following its $65 billion fundraising round. In Europe, Ardian has committed up to $5.8 billion to a single AI campus near Paris, demonstrating the massive capital being deployed to build AI infrastructure. EQT has set its target at €21 billion for its latest flagship infrastructure vehicle, reflecting continued institutional demand for alternative assets. Meanwhile, ex-Meta CTO Mike Schroepfer's Gigascale Capital has raised $250 million specifically for climate-friendly solutions to address global energy and material shortages, indicating growing investor interest in climate tech.

PE Firm Leadership and Strategy

Permira has recruited Mike Hoffmann from Thoma Bravo as a partner to lead its AI dealmaking push, bringing in one of the software industry's most experienced investors as private equity firms scramble to capitalize on the AI boom. Reichmann Segal has formed Metatron Private Equity and immediately acquired Green Circuits Inc., a Silicon Valley-based electronics manufacturing services provider, signaling continued interest in tech-enabled manufacturing. The industry's focus on mid-market strategies is reflected in the latest PEI 300 ranking, which shows increased interest in specialized mid-market approaches as larger firms face challenges in deploying massive fund sizes. The ranking also reveals 35 new firms joining the elite list, though some established names have struggled to maintain their previous standing in a consolidating industry.

Industry Trends and Market Analysis

Private equity continues its expansion into specialized services sectors as DBAG has acquired a majority stake in TNL Gruppe, an environmental planning and infrastructure consultancy, while Oridian Capital has unveiled AnchorPoint Foundations, a platform specializing in foundation repair and waterproofing services. In the secondaries market, Westfield Retirement Board has issued an RFP for private equity secondaries strategies, reflecting growing institutional demand for liquidity solutions as evergreen funds now account for about 5% of private markets NAV. The fund services industry is undergoing significant shifts due to advancing technology, regulatory pressures, and changing investor expectations, with hybrid fund structures evolving to meet these demands. As Boston-area startups have raised $7.8 billion year-to-date, investors are increasingly relying on authentic relationships and thought leadership rather than aggressive pitching in a competitive fundraising environment.