Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Dealmaking & Fundraisings

Private equity firms continue to demonstrate a robust appetite for acquisitions across diverse sectors, with several significant deals announced or advanced in the past 24 hours. Garnett Station is collecting bids for its auto services provider Goodturn, with potential buyers reportedly offering 13x-15x EBITDA, signaling strong mid-market interest. In the health technology space, Peak Rock has acquired Asembia, a firm also known for its specialty pharmacy conference. Meritus Gas Partners, a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise, expanded its reach through its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply, which snapped up helium solutions firm HICO.

In a notable consumer sector play, Cinven is backing the merger of its portfolio company Vitamin Well Group with EMPWR, a nutrition bar manufacturer. This combination, also involving Bridgepoint, aims to bring Barebells' primary producer in-house. Waterland's EMPWR is being combined with Cinven and Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well, with Apheon reportedly in talks to acquire an orthopedic bone cement business. Apheon is indeed set to acquire Teknimed, a manufacturer of orthopedic bone cements and biomaterials. Meanwhile, Inflexion has exited its aerospace supplier Avantus to Arcline Investment.

Sector Investments & Exits

The renewable energy sector saw substantial activity, with KKR agreeing to acquire EDF's North American renewables arm for $4.2 billion, potentially including up to $390 million in further payments. KKR is also taking control of a $1.3 billion South Korean renewable energy platform in partnership with SK, aiming to build the nation's largest clean power business and support the country's AI build-out KKR takes control. In another infrastructure-focused transaction, CVC DIF has agreed to sell its Polish wind portfolio, Klara Renewables, to Actis.

In the automotive services sector, Monomoy Capital has acquired Jiffy Lube for $1.3 billion from a subsidiary of Shell USA. WILsquare-backed Automotive Color & Supply continues its expansion by acquiring Ohio Paint Supply. Main Capital-backed Uname IT has also made a strategic acquisition, picking up Denmark's Auto IT, a software provider for automotive retailers.

Technology & AI Focus

The burgeoning artificial intelligence sector continues to command significant investor attention, driving both funding and strategic shifts. Global startup investment hit a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with the second quarter being the second-largest on record, fueled by AI acceleration. This AI boom is also upending traditional private equity software targets, creating uncertainty in a sector once considered a safe bet AI is upending. Founders are increasingly making bold bets on physical AI infrastructure, signaling a new investment frontier physical AI bets.

While many tech companies have faced layoffs, with over 127,000 workers at U.S. tech firms cut in 2025 and continuing into 2026 tech layoffs continue, some AI-focused ventures are achieving significant funding milestones. Drone maker Quantum Systems has raised $1.2 billion and is eyeing advancements in humanoid robotics. Additionally, Anthropic's product releases are placing science startups under pressure science startups on defensive.

Fund Strategies & LP Activity

Investor intentions reveal a growing interest in specialized strategies, including those focused on defense and capital solutions. BCI is seeking "good returns" from its newly launched capital solutions strategy, acknowledging that while LPs are increasingly participating directly in CVs and secondaries, they remain the exception rather than the norm BCI seeks returns. Investors are also eyeing opportunities in defense-related strategies, anticipating a potential €9 trillion spending spree over the next decade LPs eye defence.

In the secondaries market Ardian is bundling its secondhand fund stakes into a roughly $1 billion debt vehicle, capitalizing on the booming CFO market Ardian bundles stakes. Hamilton Lane has closed its sixth direct equity fund at $3.8 billion, marking its largest fund to date Hamilton Lane closes fund. On the public markets, Bending Spoons, which has built its business by acquiring and revamping legacy tech brands, priced its Nasdaq IPO above its target range at $1.68 billion, with backers cashing in.

Other Notable Deals & Developments

Several other transactions and strategic moves underscore the dynamic nature of the private markets. KKR is set to exit its ship lessor Ocean Yield, with AP Moller agreeing to purchase the platform which holds interests in over 70 vessels across various categories including tankers and LNG carriers KKR agrees sell. William Blair has acquired investment bank Inner Circle Sports, which serves a broad range of clients in the sports and entertainment industries. In other acquisitions, Investcorp-backed Sunrise Produce has acquired Family Tree Produce Sunrise Produce snaps up, and Truelink has invested in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services firm Horwitz Truelink invests in Horwitz. Volpi Capital has taken a majority stake in archiving software firm kgs Volpi Capital takes stake.

In a significant win, Klarna has secured a $1.97 billion antitrust lawsuit against Google Klarna wins lawsuit. The EU is offering a quota deal to resolve a standoff with the UK over a €5 billion Scaleup fund EU offers quota deal. Meanwhile, Common Ventures has launched a scheme to help working-class graduates enter the startup ecosystem Common Ventures launches scheme.