Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 20, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Corporate Acquisitions and Sovereign Backing

EQT’s £10.9bn take-private of the FTSE 100 testing group Intertek has secured critical backing from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala, illustrating the growing reliance of large-scale European deals on Middle Eastern capital. Simultaneously, private equity interest in utilities remains high, with approximately 10 bidders, including KKR, Brookfield, and CDPQ, currently evaluating potential offers for the state-owned German utility Uniper.

Strategic Carve-outs and Sector Expansion

Mutares has agreed to execute the carve-out of Synthomer, a specialist producer of acrylic acids and esters, as firms continue to prune non-core assets from industrial portfolios. In the technology space, EQT made its debut in the space industry by acquiring the German satellite mission specialist Exolaunch, signaling a shift toward niche infrastructure and aerospace capabilities. Meanwhile, MSP Sports Capital signaled its commitment to the sports sector by securing a majority stake in the New Zealand Sail GP Team, marking the firm’s formal entry into the high-performance sailing league.

Private Debt and Fundraising

Apollo is negotiating a $574m private debt package to refinance Eolo, the Italian fibre and fixed wireless operator currently controlled by Partners Group, as private credit providers aggressively capture market share from traditional lending syndicates. On the fundraising front, 201 Ventures is planning a second defense-focused fund, according to reports, reflecting a broader investor pivot toward European security and defense-tech assets. These capital movements coincide with ongoing discussions at events like Viva Tech, where European industry leaders are emphasizing the necessity of cross-border solidarity to compete with global incumbents in an increasingly capital-intensive environment.