Private Equity 24 Hours

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

Private Equity Dealmaking & Strategy

Private equity's pursuit of AI-driven growth opportunities continues, with Hong Kong emerging as a potential gateway for European firms seeking to tap into Asia's burgeoning artificial intelligence sector Hong Kong can. This strategic positioning comes as venture capital firms anticipate a wave of mergers, a trend underscored by P101 founder's outlook on the market More VC mergers coming. In the mid-market, operational improvement is proving to be a key driver of value creation amidst geopolitical and interest rate volatility, with firms like Fengate advocating for cash discipline and pricing power Lower mid-market resilient. This approach is particularly relevant as Q2 2026 saw the most billion-dollar startup exits since the 2021 market peak, indicating a robust appetite for successful ventures Most Billion-Dollar Startup Exits.

Sector-Specific Investments & Acquisitions

The underwriting specialist sector saw FTV Capital announce a growth investment in Carbon Underwriting, which operates its own Lloyd's syndicate. In infrastructure services, CVC Credit has backed the merger of German and Spanish groups KSG and Sasti, creating a pan-European critical infrastructure services platform CVC Credit backs Ufenau's merger. Triton has entered exclusive talks to acquire Bureau Veritas’ fuels testing unit, a business with a global network of 320 testing sites Triton enters exclusive talks. Skoyen is poised to acquire Bartec Municipal Technologies, a provider of waste collection and recycling technology used by over 100 UK local authorities Skoyen acquire Bartec.

CVC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Italian industrial automation group Clevertech, with the founding family reinvesting as a minority shareholder CVC agrees to acquire Clevertech, CVC buys Italian automation group. Main-backed Zig is set to acquire Provadie, a Dutch provider of Saa S products for real estate valuation and appraisal professionals Main-backed Zig acquire Provadie. H.I.G. Capital has completed the acquisition of Premier Forge Group, a US manufacturer of mission-critical forged components for aerospace, defence, and industrial markets, from Wynnchurch Capital HIG Capital acquires manufacturer, H.I.G. Capital buys aerospace and defence forging specialist.

Carr's Hill-backed Smart Gulf Coast has expanded its workplace safety offerings by acquiring AMC Safety and Safe Construction Consulting Carr’s Hill-backed Smart Gulf. In the energy sector, San Mateo Midstream is set to acquire EnCap-backed Cardinal Midstream for $752 million, a midstream energy company focused on oil and gas infrastructure acquire EnCap-backed Cardinal Midstream.

Real Estate & Data Centers

Bridgepoint has agreed to acquire Kayne Anderson Real Estate (KARE) for an upfront enterprise value of approximately $1.39 billion, marking Bridgepoint's entry into the US real estate market acquire Kayne Anderson Real, Bridgepoint enters US real estate. Separately, Ardian plans to invest over €3 billion in building data centers across the Nordic region, channeling the capital through its portfolio company Verne Ardian to invest over €3bn.

Financial Services & Technology

JC Flowers-led investor group, including Nowlake Technology, is set to acquire Republic Finance JC Flowers-led investor group. Index Ventures is leading an investment into Berlin-based Nomos Energy, a company focused on energy solutions Index lead investment.

Fundraising & Investor Activity

The landscape of European investment is currently navigating political complexities, particularly concerning defense strategies and the potential role of the UK in a €5 billion EU Scaleup Fund, which France is reportedly seeking to block France seeks to block. Political vagaries are also impacting private equity defense strategies, with a €1.6 billion European entity looking to co-invest with general partners PE grapples defence politics. Limited partners, including major investors like CalPERS, IMAS Foundation, and Aware Super, are sharing their preferred reading and podcast recommendations for the summer Content LPs consuming year. Strategic Value Partners has appointed Jean Baptiste de Boissieu as managing director to its European investment team, bringing experience from Davidson Kempner Strategic Value Partners appoints.

Portfolio Company Developments

Lenders to Godiva Japan have agreed to extend the maturity of approximately ¥75 billion ($463 in loans by nine months, according to reports, impacting MBK Partners' plans to sell its Japanese operations MBK Partners to sell Godiva Japan. CVC Capital Partners is acquiring Irca, an Italian producer of value-added ingredients for the pastry, bakery, chocolate, and ice cream markets, from Advent International CVC acquire Irca Advent.

Emerging Trends & Opportunities

Europe's preventative health startup scene is developing, with various companies mapping out their presence in the sector Europe’s preventative health startups. The lower mid-market is demonstrating resilience, driven by operational improvements and a focus on cash discipline, pricing power, and leadership maturity, according to Fengate's Jennifer Pereira Lower mid-market resilient.