Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Fundraising & Investor Activity

Main Capital Partners has closed a record €5.25bn in new funds, marking the largest private equity buyout fundraise in the Netherlands, achieved in under six months. Separately, Ohio STRS is planning a $1.5bn private equity pacing for its 2027 fiscal year, signaling continued institutional commitment to the asset class. Carlyle has launched a dedicated defense and reindustrialization fund, registering Carlyle Defense and Reindustrialization Partners in June, indicating a strategic focus on specific sectors. Meanwhile, EQT has secured a sustainability-linked credit facility, reflecting a growing trend in impact-focused fund finance.

Buyouts & Acquisitions

Permira and Warburg Pincus have finalized the $8.4bn take-private of Clearwater Analytics, a US investment management software provider. In a significant move within the online platform space, CVC Capital Partners is set to invest in Chess.com, the world's largest online chess platform, through its Fund IX. Warburg Pincus is acquiring Network Plus, a UK-based utility and infrastructure service provider. Partners Group-backed SureWerx has acquired Italy’s Genesi, a company specializing in work-at-height and confined space safety products. In the healthcare sector, Advent International is set to acquire Japanese home care operator JWB from MBK Partners.

Exits & IPOs

Permira is nearing an exit from Reformation, the sustainable womenswear brand, which has filed for a New York Stock Exchange IPO after approximately seven years of backing. L Catterton is exploring the sale of its stake in US supplements maker Thorne, with a potential valuation of up to $4bn, drawing interest from bidders including Unilever. JFLCO-backed Doncasters has successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DPC.” Notably, KKR has flagged accelerating exits, reporting over $900m in monetization activity between March 31 and June 24, 2026, indicating a pickup in capital returns.

Sector Investments & Strategic Moves

The radiology sector is seeing significant private equity interest, with Archimed and Kain Capital among firms pursuing transactions. Latticework Capital and an Edgehill-backed entity are involved in add-on acquisitions of CDMO brands. Norwest has invested in East Range Group, a firm focused on high-purity water systems, aiming to fuel expansion in personnel, customers, and capabilities. ParkSouth Ventures-backed Infinite has acquired Greentarget UK, a communications agency for financial and professional services. HarbourView has acquired rights to certain songs written by the Wolf Cousins collective, which includes notable songwriters and producers.

In a notable strategic appointment, General Atlantic has named tennis champion Novak Djokovic as its global strategic advisor, who will collaborate with the firm's leadership and portfolio companies. The potential for private equity to leverage artificial intelligence is highlighted, with Patronus AI securing $50M to develop AI agent-testing platforms, driven by significant demand from its investor base. CVC Fund IX is backing Chess.com, joining General Atlantic on the platform's register.

Valuations & Market Trends

Smart city assets are experiencing strong growth and favorable valuations, according to Lincoln International, benefiting from significant tailwinds. Bain Capital and LY Corporation are preparing a rival bid for the Japanese price-comparison group Kakaku.com, potentially creating a takeover contest with EQT. The secondaries market may face a benchmarking challenge due to a lack of standardization, raising questions about the strategy's measurement and its alignment with traditional private equity benchmarks, according to Secondaries Investor.

Venture Capital & Startup Funding

Patronus AI, a startup focused on testing AI agents, has raised $50M, driven by substantial demand from former Meta AI researchers. While not exclusively private equity, venture capital discussions include advice for funding more Black founders and insights into seed rounds from the first half of the year. Startups in France and the Benelux region achieving over €100m in revenue are also noted, alongside a voice-controlled drones startup backed by Lakestar and Seedcamp. Discussions around the UK tech sector's future, particularly concerning taxation, were raised by Brent Hoberman.