Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 2, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Mega-Funds & Fundraising

EQT has set a €21bn target for its seventh flagship infrastructure vehicle, EQT Infrastructure VII, marking one of the largest pool targets in the asset class this year as the Stockholm-listed firm capitalizes on surging demand for energy transition and digital infrastructure assets. The fundraising momentum extends to the climate sector, where former Meta CTO Mike Schroepfer closed a $250M fund under his Gigascale Capital banner to back founders addressing energy and materials shortages. On the secondaries side, the Westfield Retirement Board has issued an RFP for private equity secondaries managers, reflecting continued appetite from U.S. public pensions for liquidity-focused strategies amid a prolonged slowdown in exit activity.

Headline M&A

Long Range Capital has entered exclusive talks to acquire Pizza Hut from Yum Brands, a deal that would mark one of the most high-profile restaurant carve-outs in recent memory and test private equity's appetite for legacy quick-service chains facing margin pressure. In the tax services space, Onex and Neuberger Berman-backed Ryan struck a $400M deal for Nordic tax adviser Svalner Atlas Advisors, extending its European footprint. Mutares completed its carve-out of Wärtsilä's Gas Solutions business, anchoring the Munich-based investor's push into Nordic energy transition platforms. The insurance sector saw action as well, with 26North Re agreeing to acquire Independent Life Insurance Group, its first U.S. onshore insurance platform. Post Oak Capital divested Switchgrass E&P, an upstream operator focused on Oklahoma's SCOOP play, cashing out of Mid-Continent oil and gas assets.

Portfolio Consolidation & Add-Ons

Thoma Bravo orchestrated a merger of two portcos, combining third-party logistics provider WWEX Group with shipping technology firm Auctane — whose brands include Ship Station and Stamps.com — to create a more integrated e-commerce logistics offering. CCMP Growth-backed Decks & Docks acquired J&W Lumber, continuing its roll-up strategy in specialty outdoor building products distribution. GI Partners purchased HES Facilities Management from Nautic Partners, adding to its facilities services holdings. European dealmaking saw Astorg's Steliau bolt on electronic component distributor Acal BFI, while Bridgepoint backed Swedish grocery logistics platform Stockfiller, which serves buyers representing over 80% of grocery retail stores in Sweden. In franchising, Bessemer-backed MRG sold 44 Houston Taco Bell locations to Ghai Restaurant Group.

New Platforms & Fresh Deployments

Reichmann Segal launched Metatron Private Equity and simultaneously acquired Green Circuits Inc., a Silicon Valley electronics manufacturing services provider, as its inaugural platform investment. Oridian Capital unveiled AnchorPoint Foundations, a roll-up play combining four foundation repair and waterproofing brands. CIVC invested in Nationwide Legal, backing a provider of process service, court filing, and court reporting services. PSG Equity took a stake in CHR Group, a digital food safety and compliance software business. German mid-market firm DBAG agreed to acquire a majority stake in TNL Gruppe, an environmental planning and permitting consultancy for complex infrastructure projects. Shamrock backed CardsHQ and Sports Card Investor, with EnOne Ventures co-investing in the trading card market play.

Talent & Industry Dynamics

Permira poached Mike Hoffmann from Thoma Bravo as a partner on its technology team, tasking the veteran software investor with leading the firm's AI dealmaking push — a signal that competition for AI-savvy dealmakers is intensifying across European buyout. The industry's competitive hierarchy is coming into focus ahead of the 2026 PEI 300 ranking, which early previews suggest will reveal a sharply divided landscape between mega-firms and the mid-market. Meanwhile, over 500 senior leaders are gathering this week at PEI Group's Women in Private Markets Summit in North America, featuring executives from Hamilton Lane, Brookfield, and Raymond James.

Venture & Startup Pulse

Vinted Ventures backed a $26M raise led by two former Revolut operators, while AI-powered finance startup Gradient Labs doubled its Series A to $26M, reflecting continued appetite for applied AI in financial services despite a broader venture pullback. Boston-area startups have drawn roughly $7.8B year-to-date, on pace for the strongest tally in four years — though that figure looks robust only against pre-AI baselines. One founder secured $14M after shifting from aggressive pitching to relationship-driven fundraising, a strategy that resonates in a climate where investor diligence cycles have lengthened considerably.