Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 25, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Fundraisings & Exits

Main Capital Partners has closed a record €5.25bn across two new funds, marking the largest private equity buyout fundraise ever in the Netherlands and achieving this in under six months. This significant capital raise underscores a robust appetite for software-focused strategies. Meanwhile, KKR has signaled an acceleration in its exit activity, with quarter-to-date monetizations exceeding $900m between March 31 and June 24, indicating a healthy return of capital to its limited partners. In a notable carve-out, Bain Capital is set to acquire a 51% majority stake in Everllence from Volkswagen Group for €7.4bn, positioning itself for a significant play in propulsion, decarbonization, and efficiency products for the maritime, energy, and industrial sectors. Tikehau is also exiting its stake in Aubert & Duval, agreeing to sell the complex metallic materials manufacturer to Airbus and Safran as part of a broader portfolio adjustment.

Sector-Specific Investments & Acquisitions

Carlyle Group has launched a new strategy with its "Defense and Reindustrialization Partners" fund, registered in June, signaling a focus on sectors deemed critical for national security and industrial resurgence amid geopolitical shifts. Advent International is making its debut in Japan by acquiring Japan Wellbeing (JWB), a major integrated home care provider, from MBK Partners in a significant move into the Asian healthcare market. In the food and beverage sector, Quadrivio & Pambianco and Capdesia Group are acquiring Alice Pizza, Italy's largest fast-casual pizza chain, which boasts 231 locations across Italy and internationally as part of a European foodservice consolidation. CVC Capital Partners is set to invest in the online chess platform Chess.com, with existing backer General Atlantic retaining a stake highlighting growth in niche digital platforms.

Technology & AI Investments

Patronus AI, a startup founded by former Meta AI researchers, has secured $50 million to develop AI agents capable of stress-testing other artificial intelligence systems, reflecting "nearly insatiable demand" for advanced AI development tools amid rapid technological advancements. The increasing importance of AI in private equity operations is highlighted, with operators seen as key to unlocking its advantage due to the constant emergence of new capabilities and evolving use cases necessitating continuous adaptation. In Europe, the focus is on sustainable AI development, with founders prioritizing long-term growth over immediate funding rounds amid a competitive venture landscape.

Financial Services & Real Estate

Permira and Warburg Pincus are leading an investor group to take Clearwater Analytics private in an $8.4 billion transaction, supported by Francisco Partners and Temasek in a major software sector deal. Blackstone and Bain Capital are advancing in the bidding process for Fuji Media Holdings' real estate arm, a deal that could reach $6.3 billion and potentially become Japan's largest-ever property transaction drawing significant global interest. Blue Owl Capital is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire a minority stake in the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, signaling continued private equity interest in professional sports franchises as alternative asset classes.

Fund Finance & Secondaries

EQT has secured a sustainability-linked fund finance facility, underscoring the growing importance of materiality and impact in the niche world of fund financing as environmental, social, and governance criteria gain prominence. The secondaries market is facing challenges with benchmarking, raising questions about how to accurately measure strategy performance and whether traditional private equity benchmarks are appropriate amid a lack of standardization. NAV financing is also maturing, with evolving use cases and a wider array of lenders contributing to a more flexible yet complex ecosystem providing crucial liquidity options.

Other Notable Deals

Osprey Landscape Group, backed by Southfield, has acquired commercial landscape services firm Land Graphics, expanding its footprint in the sector through strategic industry consolidation. Harbour View has acquired publishing rights to certain songs written by the Wolf Cousins collective, which includes prominent songwriters and producers like Ilya Salmanzadeh and Oscar Holter in a move into music intellectual property. Bessemer-backed Mas Restaurant Group, a Taco Bell franchisee, has sold 43 Ohio locations to Southpaw as part of portfolio optimization. HSG has completed its acquisition of luxury footwear brand Golden Goose, with Temasek and True Light Capital joining as minority shareholders in a high-profile consumer goods transaction. Ambienta has exited its investment in Cap Vert, a French environmental services provider, to Gimv marking a successful divestment in the green sector. Omni-backed Infoshare has acquired 3C Consultants and Infoboss, providers of data governance and compliance software for the social housing and local government sectors expanding its reach in regulatory technology. Reverence Capital is backing the Midwest CPA firm Eide Bailly, while Platinum Equity is acquiring sustainable building products company Tangent from The Sterling Group in separate professional services and industrial product deals.