Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 9, 2026, 8:31 PM ET

Fundraising & Capital Formation

Pictet Alternative Advisors closed its sixth co-investment fund at $1.53 billion, marking the Swiss firm's largest vehicle to date and surpassing initial targets as institutional investors seek direct exposure to private equity deals. Meanwhile, Hunter Point Capital amassed $4.3 billion for GP financing activities, capitalizing on market demand for continuation funds and portfolio company recapitalizations. The fundraising momentum extended to early-stage ventures, where former Wise executives launched an AI tax startup with $2 million in pre-seed funding, targeting automation solutions for corporate tax compliance. In spacetech, Isar Aerospace secured €270 million to scale launch operations while Iceye raised €1 billion in Finland's largest startup round, reflecting renewed investor appetite for satellite and defense technologies. Air Street Capital participated in a €50 million round for French defence technology firm Alta Ares, and GitHub and Hugging Face founders backed AI agent startup Zaro in a $5.1 million financing.

Technology & Healthcare M&A Surge

The buyout market showed renewed vigor with multiple platform acquisitions across sectors. Audax-backed Ezurio acquired computer manufacturer Gateworks to expand its embedded computing capabilities, while Inflexion-supported Axiom GRC purchased assurance firm MHM for its SOC and ISO compliance services serving North American SMEs. Platte River Equity completed its 100th acquisition since 2006, purchasing electrical equipment supplier Tallman Equipment Company as the firm continues its industrial rollup strategy. In healthcare, Archimed acquired Barcelona-based IRAB for its PET radiopharmaceutical development capabilities, and Thoma Bravo agreed to take validation software firm Kneat private in a $466 million transaction targeting life sciences quality automation. CapMan Growth exited eye health operator Silmäasema for €574 million, representing Finland's largest optical retail platform, while Oakley Capital-backed Phenna added compliance software business Begalvi to its Spanish property administration portfolio.

Infrastructure & Strategic Investments

Brookfield and Global Infrastructure Partners advanced in Kuwait's $7.5 billion pipeline leasing deal alongside other infrastructure investors, positioning for one of the year's largest energy transition assets. Partners Group considered a $231 million capital injection into debt-laden portfolio company Emeria as the real estate platform struggles with leverage exceeding earnings capacity. Corporate carve-out activity heated up as CD&R and Platinum Equity continued pursuing Nestlé's water business, with the pair remaining in exclusive talks for a 50% stake after PAI Partners stepped back from the process. Arlington Asset Management agreed to sell medical device company Riverpoint Medical for $1.2 billion in a third-quarter closing transaction, while TPG invested in accounting firm Smith + Howard following the company's previous backing from Broad Sky Partners.

Talent Movement & Geographic Expansion

Personnel changes reflected ongoing strategic shifts across private markets firms. Ridgepost named Brian McKenna as vice president of investor relations effective June 15, 2026, bolstering fundraising capabilities at the secondaries specialist. CAZ Investments appointed Greg Grissom as executive director of sports investing in a newly created role focused on professional sports opportunities. Banner Capital hired McKay Potter as principal to lead sourcing and value creation across Western US service sectors, while EQT promoted Gustav Segerberg to chief financial officer after Jesper Henriksson's departure, elevating a long-serving insider to the finance role. A Coller Capital principal departed the Hong Kong office after covering secondaries across India, Australia and Southeast Asia since joining in London in 2011.

Market Dynamics & Performance Trends

Private equity firms increasingly looked abroad for opportunities as corporate acquirers focused domestically, creating divergent dealmaking patterns amid elevated financing costs and regulatory scrutiny. This geographic shift comes as zombie funds crossed $1 trillion in assets, with 20% of global PE holdings now held beyond seven years as managers seek exits in challenging market conditions. Performance data showed continuation fund vehicles maintaining outperformance over traditional buyout funds according to Evercore's latest study of 396 CVs formed between 2018 and 2024. CalPERS reaffirmed private equity as its top-performing asset class ahead of implementing a total portfolio approach this July, despite ongoing fee pressures highlighted in PE International's analysis of GP pricing dynamics. The trend toward AI-enabled businesses continued with 29 companies joining the Crunchbase Unicorn Board in May, led by enterprise AI application providers rather than foundational model developers.

Large-Scale Financing & Emerging Opportunities

Apollo and Blackstone finalized a $35 billion private credit facility for Anthropic's AI chip expansion, underscoring institutional demand for private financing solutions in the artificial intelligence arms race. Clearlake Capital acquired Pathway Capital Management in a consolidation move, adding $95 billion in assets under management to its private markets platform while simultaneously investing in space infrastructure provider JP Donovan. In professional services, Abry Partners backed managed IT firm KaufmanIT to scale cybersecurity offerings, and Achieve Partners invested in edtech company Alchemy for its internship program management platform. Gemspring Capital supported motorcycle parts retailer Comoto while existing majority shareholder Prospect Hill Growth Partners maintained its position, reflecting continued interest in specialty retail platforms.