Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 10, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Fundraising & Capital Deployment Pictet closed its sixth co‑investment fund at $1.53bn, topping its own target and underscoring strong investor appetite for private‑equity side‑car vehicles. The fund’s size eclipses the $1.2bn raised for its fifth iteration and signals confidence ahead of a projected surge in deal‑flow as corporate M&A slows. Meanwhile, Apollo and Blackstone sealed a $35bn private‑credit package for Anthropic’s AI chip expansion, marking one of the largest single‑purpose financings in the sector and highlighting the growing convergence of private credit and deep‑tech investing.

Strategic Acquisitions Audax‑backed Ezurio completed the purchase of Gateworks, expanding its embedded‑compute portfolio and giving the Ohio‑based firm a foothold in the rugged‑industrial hardware market. In a parallel move, Inflexion‑backed Axiom GRC agreed to buy compliance specialist MHM, adding SOC and ISO assurance capabilities that complement Axiom’s governance‑risk suite across North America. Both deals illustrate how PE sponsors are layering platform‑building strategies in high‑margin, niche technology segments.

Infrastructure & Energy Assets Brookfield and GIP advanced as bidders for Kuwait’s pipeline lease, a $7.5bn opportunity, reflecting renewed interest in long‑dated, fee‑based infrastructure amid volatile energy markets. At the same time, Arlington prepared to sell Riverpoint Medical for $1.2bn, a transaction that will fund the firm’s broader push into med‑tech roll‑ups and provide liquidity for its existing credit facilities. The juxtaposition of sovereign‑grade pipeline assets and high‑growth medical devices underscores the breadth of PE’s asset‑class diversification.

Secondary Market Dynamics A TREO analysis flagged that “zombie” funds now hold over $1trn in assets, a milestone reached five years ahead of schedule , raising concerns about capital lock‑up and performance drag as vintages age. Counterbalancing this trend, Ridgepost appointed Brian McKenna as VP of investor relations, a move aimed at bolstering transparency and LP communication as the firm navigates tighter secondary‑market conditions.

Sector‑Specific Pushes CapMan Growth exited eye‑care operator Silmäasema for €574m, delivering a sizable return that validates the firm’s focus on consolidating fragmented health‑service providers. In a similar vein, Thoma Bravo agreed to acquire validation software firm Kneat for $466m, expanding its life‑sciences portfolio and tapping the growing demand for regulatory‑tech solutions. These transactions illustrate private equity’s tilt toward high‑margin, technology‑enabled services in regulated industries.

Leadership & Talent Moves EQT named Gustav Segerberg CFO as Henriksson steps down, ensuring continuity at one of Europe’s largest listed PE firms while it deepens its Asian strategy, as highlighted in a separate interview where the firm pledged “much more to do in Asia” . Across the Atlantic, TPG announced an investment in accounting firm Smith + Howard, signaling confidence in the professional‑services sector’s resilience and the firm’s intent to build a cross‑border platform for midsize advisory businesses.

Deal‑Flow Outlook Private equity looks abroad while corporate buyers stay home notes that PE sponsors are accelerating cross‑border pursuits as domestic corporates retreat from large‑scale deals, a trend reinforced by the recent CD&R and Platinum Equity bids for Nestlé’s water business. The divergence suggests that PE will continue to dominate outbound M&A pipelines, leveraging deep‑pocketed capital to capture assets that strategic buyers now deem non‑core.