Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 6, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Dealmaking & Fundraising Activity

Private equity firms are navigating a dynamic fundraising and dealmaking environment, with a notable increase in energy transition-focused investments and a continued appetite for secondaries. Blackstone has acquired Dresser Utility Solutions from First Reserve, marking the first deal from its new energy transition fund. Similarly, Permira is backing Iberian engineering group Quadrante through its Energy Transition strategy, its second such deal. This focus on decarbonization is echoed by Foresight, which sees a strong flow of opportunities in decentralized energy systems, despite macroeconomic headwinds influencing pricing and execution Foresight eyes industrial decarbonization.

In the secondaries market, Eurazeo successfully closed its fifth program at €2.3bn, exceeding its €2bn target, with its Fund V raising more than double its predecessor Eurazeo surpasses target. Elsewhere, CVC Capital Partners closed its European mid-market fund, Catalyst III, at €3bn, nearly double its target CVC closes mid-market fund. Investors are also signaling shifts in strategy; Singaporean family office JRT Partners aims to increase its exposure to secondaries, considering opportunities across the US, Australia, and Western Europe Investor Intentions: JRT Partners. Meanwhile, the Public Pension Investment Fund of Japan (GPIF) reported its PE portfolio grew by approximately $1.4bn year-on-year, reaching a valuation of $7.3bn, despite a challenging market GPIF’s PE portfolio climbs.

Sector-Specific Transactions

Defense and aerospace saw a significant potential divestment, with Advent-backed Cobham Ultra preparing to sell its Ultra Maritime division for $3.45bn. In industrials, Lone Star Funds is set to acquire Conti Tech, the industrial materials arm of Continental, for €4bn, a deal also reported by PE Hub Lone Star agrees. Capmont is carving out Dyneon, a fluoropolymer manufacturer serving critical sectors like semiconductors and electric vehicles, from 3M Deutschland Capmont carve out Dyneon.

The infrastructure sector is also active, with Avance backing infrastructure firm Lexxel, alongside significant reinvestment from the company's founders and management. HIG is acquiring a majority stake in Germany's Terras Group, which provides infrastructure engineering and construction services. In a move targeting the Asia Pacific mid-market, EQT will acquire Orikan, a parking and enforcement technology provider.

Technology & Software Investments

Software and technology continue to attract private equity interest, with AI-powered HR management software provider Skello receiving a €200m minority investment from Bridgepoint. This follows a trend where a $67bn pension fund is actively seeking software investments, signaling a broader interest in the sector Side Letter: Software steals. In the cleantech and sustainability space, investors poured $15 billion into seed- through growth-stage rounds in the first half of the year, indicating a stabilization of funding as energy demand grows Cleantech Startup Funding Stabilizes.

Divestitures & Exits

Several firms are pursuing exits and divestitures. CVC has agreed to sell its stake in premium marina operator D-Marin to Infra Via Capital Partners. D-Marin operates 28 marinas across nine countries in the EMEA region CVC agrees sale D-Marin. Bruin Capital is set to sell golf simulation company Full Swing to Versant Media for $530m. Warburg Pincus is exiting Singular Bank, a private banking specialist, selling its stake to a consortium led by ING Warburg Pincus to exit.

Market Commentary & Investor Strategies

Commentary from industry leaders suggests a recalibration of private equity strategies. Scott Hart of Step Stone Group notes that while the private equity model is not broken, the illusion of uniform success from the era of 'easy money' is fading Private Take: Bad habits. Similarly, Asante Capital partners Fraser van Rensburg and Warren Hibbert argue that the structure of a fund is less critical than the trust between managers and investors in the current fundraising climate new rules fundraising. Many venture capital Limited Partners (LPs) are concentrating investments in megafunds in response to economic uncertainty, a strategy that may sacrifice higher potential returns for perceived safety Year Misplaced Fear. In China, the private equity market is undergoing a reset, potentially offering a more disciplined opportunity set for LPs who remain committed to the region Chinese PE: retreat repositioning. Investors are also seeking experienced consultants for due diligence across asset classes Investor Intentions: CNPADC.

Potential Takeovers & Valuations

A significant potential take-private transaction is emerging in the airline sector, where Castlelake has secured board backing for a possible £5.5bn deal to take UK budget carrier easy Jet private, valuing the airline at approximately $7.3bn.