Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Fundraising

Blackstone's private wealth fund achieved its strongest monthly return on record in May, largely propelled by its investment in AI developer Anthropic. This surge in performance for the fund catering to wealthy individuals underscores the significant impact AI investments are having across the private markets. Meanwhile, in Europe, Eurazeo finalized the sale of its Spanish hotel portfolio, FST Hotels, to Extendam, a firm specializing in hospitality-focused private equity, signaling continued activity in sector-specific exits. The Town of Wellesley is actively seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust, initiating a search that will shape future asset allocation and manager selection for its public pension assets Investment consultant RFP.

Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystems

Europe's startup scene is demonstrating remarkable growth, with one unicorn a week emerging on average as the region refines its model for creating billion-dollar companies. This momentum is evident in areas like digital infrastructure, where Sandbrook announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a platform focused on developing data center projects. In the artificial intelligence space, Eleven Labs is reportedly targeting a $22 billion valuation through a new share sale, highlighting the intense investor interest in AI capabilities. The King's Cross area in London has become a hub for AI innovation, with numerous labs establishing a presence there AI labs. Despite this growth, European VC firms are experiencing internal divisions over plans to restrict non-European investments, indicating potential friction in the continent's venture capital strategy.

Secondaries and Investor Relations

Evercore has bolstered its presence in the Asian secondaries market with the addition of talent from Harbour Vest, filling a key role formerly held by a Singapore-based director. This expansion signals continued demand for specialized advisory services in navigating the growing secondary transaction landscape. Separately, Jack Selby's venture capital firm, Copper Sky Capital, is in the process of raising a $300 million second fund, leveraging his connections in Arizona to invest in promising startups such as Etched Thiel Capital stakes. The EU initiative focused on converting startup placements into patents over the past three decades also points to a long-term strategy for intellectual property development within the technology sector.