Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 18, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Middle-Market M&A and Industrial Consolidation

Private equity firms are actively executing bolt-on acquisitions to scale portfolio companies, as evidenced by Bertram Capital-backed Ridgeline Roofing’s purchase of Freedom Roofing & Construction. This trend toward industrial ecosystem expansion remains a priority, with Arsenal Capital recently appointing Max Schechter to spearhead business development and market coverage in the sector. Meanwhile, FSG acquired Custom Alloy Corporation, a move designed to strengthen the JFLCO-backed firm’s position in the high-specification aerospace and defense forgings market. These activities occur against a backdrop of record-high dry powder levels and a persistent gap between the volume of companies testing the market and the actual number of closed transactions.

Infrastructure and Specialized Services

The infrastructure secondaries market is attracting significant interest as investors seek to address the undercapitalized nature of the sub-asset class. Allianz Global Investors is identifying attractive opportunities within this space, noting that the market has grown substantially as firms look to manage liquidity. In the technology-enabled infrastructure space, Riverside Company invested in AssetIntel, a firm providing software for transit authorities and federal agencies to plan for critical asset maintenance. Further diversification in the space continues, with EQT moving to acquire Exolaunch, a company specializing in satellite deployment and mission management technologies for the space sector.

Software and Strategic Growth

The software landscape continues to see consolidation, as Infoshare acquired DEF Software to expand its footprint among local authorities in the UK. On the venture side, Flagright raised $12.5M to fuel its US expansion, highlighting the ongoing demand for specialized fintech solutions despite a generally slower environment for large funding deals. Investors remain focused on seed-stage defensibility in the age of AI, where the lowered barrier to entry for software development has shifted the requirements for successful startups. Meanwhile, boards are being advised to confront disruptive technologies like quantum computing and AI proactively, rather than waiting for performance metrics to decline before addressing shifts in their competitive environment.

Fundraising and Institutional Benchmarking

Institutional investors are increasingly curious about benchmarking as they seek more precise ways to evaluate the performance of their private equity portfolios. Amid this scrutiny, Charterhouse surpassed its €1.5bn target for its latest flagship fund, signaling that established firms can still command significant capital commitments. The broader market remains in a state of transition, with trade body Invest Europe appointing a new chair and other secondaries firms facing acquisition interest as consolidation among investment managers persists. This institutional focus on performance is mirrored by a growing emphasis on inclusion, which firms like ICG use to influence leadership and talent acquisition across their portfolio companies.

Venture Capital and Emerging Markets

The startup ecosystem remains active, with investors identifying standout companies from the latest YC demo day, some of which are commanding valuations exceeding $175M. European markets are also mapping industrial tech startups to identify potential growth, while universities like TUM are spinning out research firms ready for their next funding rounds. There is also a broader conversation regarding policy impacts, where some experts suggest that regulatory bans could benefit European AI by forcing a focus on fundamental ground-truth development.

Exits and Portfolio Realignment

Exits remain a focal point for private equity firms looking to return capital to investors. Platinum Equity is preparing to sell HVAC equipment supplier Heat Controller, following its earlier investment in the business through Motors & Armatures, Inc. Simultaneously, Nordic Capital is moving to acquire Liberis, a platform designed to facilitate finance for small businesses. In the travel and medical sectors, BGF invested in Wild Frontiers to support its global tour operations, while Avista-backed EBI acquired Xstim to consolidate its market share in non-invasive bone growth stimulation solutions. Finally, Rosser Capital is infusing capital into a Re-Bath franchisee to support regional growth across Pennsylvania and the Midwest.