Private Equity 24 Hours

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

AI & Venture Capital Activity

The burgeoning artificial intelligence sector continues to attract significant capital and talent, with a Prague-based AI lab founded by former DeepMind researchers now valued at over $500 million. This surge in AI investment is also prompting new models for startup formation, as one AI software company is offering employees $250,000 to plan their next ventures. Meanwhile, alumni from Meta OpenAI are seeking $400 million for a new AI lab, signaling ongoing investor appetite for advanced AI development. The broader venture capital industry is grappling with data challenges, with one expert arguing that firms are misusing AI and need to prioritize better data infrastructure. Elsewhere, venture capital firm GV's Dave Munichiello discussed the shifting landscape of AI software and the impact of increased computing costs.

Dealmaking Across Sectors

Private equity firms were active across a range of industries, with multiple acquisitions and exits reported. In healthcare, THL Partners-backed Headlands Research acquired Clinical Trials Research, and Cathay Capital launched Ascendia, which begins operations with 20 centers. In the consumer space, IVEST and Cloverlay sold the Care Bears franchise to Authentic Brands Group after approximately three years, having acquired it in 2023. Genesis Capital exited GTH Catering, a corporate catering services provider Genesis Capital exited GTH.

The industrial and services sectors also saw significant activity. Warburg Pincus agreed to acquire Network Plus, a UK infrastructure services group, from OMERS Private Equity. Huron Capital-backed Albireo Energy acquired Pasco Building Automation Services Huron Capital-backed Albireo Energy, a building controls and energy services provider. ICG Infra backed Paulo Duarte Group, a freight fleet operator across Portugal and Spain ICG Infra backs Paulo. O2-backed Azureon picked up residential pool services firm Pooltek Services O2-backed Azureon picks up. High Street-backed Pinnacle Contracting Services acquired CJones Plumbing High Street-backed Pinnacle Contracting.

In the testing, inspection, and compliance sector, Triton entered exclusive talks, a business with 320 global testing sites. This follows a broader trend of private equity interest in this sector due to its stable revenues carve out Bureau Veritas’. Visualize is set to acquire eCOGRA, a testing, inspection, certification, and compliance provider for the gaming industry Visualize to acquire eCOGRA.

Specialized Investments & Exits

Partners Group invested $250 million in Avenue Capital's commercial aviation leasing portfolio through a continuation vehicle. In the media and entertainment sector, music catalog acquisition platform with over $750 million in purchasing power, backed by Ares and Raine Group. Ares Management and Joe Tsai led a $100 million Series E financing for the Premier Lacrosse League Ares and Joe Tsai lead $100m Series E for Premier Lacrosse League, marking the largest capital raise in the league's history.

Several exits were also completed. Xenon Private Equity sold Solana, an Italian tomato-processing group, to an Investindustrial-backed entity Xenon exits tomato processor Solana with sale to Investindustrial-backed La Doria. RF Investment Partners exited Ally Waste Services RF Investment Partners exits. Altamont Capital sold comfort food chain Cotton Patch Cafe to Local Favorite Restaurants Altamont Capital sells comfort.

Fundraising & Strategy

Generation IM is raising $1 billion for a long-hold private equity strategy, with a partner stating that conventional holding periods are insufficient for segment transformation. CVC Credit has backed the merger of infrastructure services groups KSG and Sasti, forming a pan-European critical infrastructure services platform CVC Credit backs Ufenau's merger of infrastructure services groups KSG and Sasti. FTV is making a growth investment in Carbon Underwriting, a specialist with its own Lloyd's syndicate make a growth investment.

LP Concerns & Market Evolution

The Colorado PERA pension fund is considering reducing its private equity allocation due to underperformance relative to benchmarks, a sentiment echoed by other limited partners. The International Limited Partners Association (ILPA) has updated its guidance on successor vehicles, reflecting an evolving market. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has surpassed €10.5 billion in wartime financing for Ukraine, building its private capital mobilization tools EBRD passes €10.5bn in Ukraine as it builds out private-capital mobilisation tools. Rede has reshuffled its leadership, and one US PE firm has launched an APAC business Side Letter: Seeing double.

Other Notable Deals

Blackstone-backed Enverus acquired four PDS Energy Information exchange platforms, which are operating infrastructure for the US upstream industry Blackstone-backed Enverus acquires four. Parabellum Investments acquired Crux Informatics, a data management platform with over 200 data providers, including Morningstar and MSCI Parabellum Investments snaps up. Skoyen is set to acquire Bartec Municipal Technologies, which powers waste collection and street cleaning for UK local authorities acquire Bartec Municipal Technologies. Main-backed Zig will acquire Provadie, a Dutch provider of Saa S products for real estate valuation professionals Main-backed Zig acquire Provadie. Martis Capital is backing healthcare marketing agency Deerfield Group Martis Capital backs healthcare. CVC has agreed to acquire Italy’s Clevertech, a designer and manufacturer of industrial automated packaging systems CVC agrees to acquire. Gen Nx360 has appointed Welela Dawit as an operating partner to support value creation initiatives Gen Nx360 taps Welela Dawit. Voyager Interests acquired helicopter operator Rotorcraft Leasing Company from Bluehenge Capital Partners and other investors Voyager Interests acquires helicopter.