Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: June 29, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Dealmaking & Fundraisnig Activity

Private equity firms are actively deploying capital, with Ardian planning to invest over €3 billion in Nordic data centers through its portfolio company Verne. In the US, H.I.G. Capital acquired Premier Forge Group, a manufacturer of forged components for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, with Wynnchurch Capital serving as the seller. Elsewhere, CVC Capital Partners agreed to acquire Italian industrial automation group Clevertech, with the founding family reinvesting as a minority shareholder. CVC is also set to purchase food ingredients manufacturer Irca from Advent International, with revenues having quadrupled for the target CVC buys ingredients group. Separately, Bridgepoint is entering the US real estate market with an approximately $1.4 billion acquisition of Kayne Anderson Real Estate, which manages around $22 billion in assets.

Sector Focus & Strategy

The lower mid-market is presenting resilient opportunities for investors, according to Jennifer Pereira of Fengate, who noted that the current environment rewards operational rigor and cash discipline operational improvement drives value. This sentiment is echoed in a broader trend of increased startup exits, with the second quarter of 2026 seeing the most billion-dollar exits since the 2021 peak Q2 brought most billion-dollar exits. In the defense sector, political uncertainties are creating challenges for private equity strategies, even as there's a push for a €1.6 billion European entity to co-invest with general partners PE grapples defence politics. Meanwhile, French authorities are reportedly seeking to block a UK role in a €5 billion EU Scaleup Fund, signaling geopolitical considerations in investment vehicles France seeks to block.

Credit & Portfolio Management

Lenders to Godiva Japan have granted a nine-month extension on approximately ¥75 billion ($463 in loans, providing breathing room for MBK Partners, which is looking to sell its stake in the Japanese business lenders extend ¥75bn loans. In the energy sector, San Mateo Midstream is set to acquire EnCap-backed Cardinal Midstream for $752 million, focusing on infrastructure for oil and gas San Mateo Midstream acquire. Strategic Value Partners has bolstered its European investment team with the appointment of Jean Baptiste de Boissieu as managing director, who joins from Davidson Kempner SVP appoints managing director.

Venture & Growth Investments

Index is reportedly leading an investment into Berlin-based Nomos Energy, a company focused on energy transition solutions Index lead investment. The British Business Bank is planning to support UK scaleups with £400 million annually, aiming to bolster the nation's technology sector British Business Bank back. European deeptech investment has already reached an annual record within the first six months of the year, indicating a strong appetite for advanced technology ventures European deeptech investment hits. Spain is also emerging as a dynamic tech ecosystem in Europe, attracting growing interest from investors Spain emerged.

Other Transactions & Trends

Juggernaut Capital and footballer Gareth Bale are reportedly exploring a takeover of a football club, with plans to expand into golf and women's sports football takeover with Gareth Bale. Carr's Hill-backed Smart Gulf Coast has acquired safety firms AMC Safety and Safe Construction Consulting, expanding its workplace safety services Smart Gulf Coast picks. A JC Flowers-led investor group is in the process of acquiring Republic Finance, with Nowlake Technology also participating in the deal JC Flowers-led investor group. Investor sentiment and preferred reading material are also evolving, with major institutional investors like CalPERS and Aware Super sharing their summer book and podcast recommendations LP content consumption trends. Private equity firms are also analyzing trends in financial services and healthcare M&A, with a focus on operational improvements driving value creation in the lower mid-market PE Hub reveals trends.