Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Fund Activity

Private equity firms continued their active pace with a flurry of acquisitions across diverse sectors, alongside significant fundraisings and strategic appointments. Wynnchurch backed Principal Industries in its acquisition of GENLED Brands, a provider of LED components and engineered assemblies. Similarly, Agellus Capital supported Compass MSP's purchase of The Logic Group, a managed IT and cybersecurity firm, while Renovus backed TJP's acquisition of life sciences commercial operations firm FX2 Virtual. In the energy sector, I Squared agreed to acquire Milestone Environmental from SK Capital, which operates disposal facilities for oil and gas waste. Unity Partners made a strategic move into professional services with its acquisition of Meaden & Moore Advisors, a forensic and accounting services firm, with plans for further add-ons. Demonstrating growing interest in accounting services, Capitol Meridian acquired national security infrastructure firm Westway Enterprises, and Unity Partners also scooped up Meaden & Moore Advisors, which operates at the intersection of accounting and insurance services. Thirty-5 Capital saw its portfolio company Paddletek acquire performance paddle company PIKKL, and Allied Industrial backed Mat Tech's acquisition of industrial hauling company Hook Set Transportation. Investcorp supported KSS in its acquisition of Strack Scale Service, a provider of calibration and repair for industrial weighing systems. Separately, Arlington launched a new naval services platform, Highwater, by combining its portfolio company Eptec Defence with AMP United. Sentinel acquired cake decorations supplier Deco Pac from Kohlberg, and HCPI divested Epicurean Butter to Solina USA. Apheon continued interest in the food sector by acquiring French frozen snack group Alma, with an eye toward Benelux, Germany, and UK expansion. In the HR technology space, Lightyear invested in Corestream to fuel its growth. Summit Partners exited Dreampath Diagnostics to Halma, a company specializing in pathology lab tracking systems. EQT has agreed to acquire the biosurgery business of Corza Medical from GTCR, including the Tacho Sil product portfolio. Thoma Bravo closed a merger combining Hypergene and Stratsys, uniting financial planning and analysis software with governance, risk, and compliance tools. Advent agreed to acquire a minority stake in Italian space and defense propulsion group Avio to support its expansion. KKR and TA Associates-backed Söderberg & Partners are set to acquire Benchmark Capital, the UK financial advice business, from Schroders.

Fundraising & Investor Activity

Venture capital firm Chemistry Ventures, founded by alumni of Bessemer, Index Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz, is raising $500 million for its second fund. AI law startup Norm secured $120 million in a Series C round led by Khosla Ventures, reaching a $1.2 billion valuation. In the secondaries market, Patria's head of secondaries, Patrick Knechtl, noted that deal flow continues to unlock, with the firm's latest fund closing on $677 million, surpassing its target, particularly focusing on smaller-sized secondaries. Blue Owl Capital has acquired a minority equity stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers through its Home Court Partners fund, marking its sixth NBA franchise investment. Denmark’s Novo Holdings, manager of Novo Nordisk Foundation’s $36 billion in investments, is expanding its planetary health portfolio and is considering an allocation for private equity GPs to manage, with a focus on energy and Asia.

Strategic Appointments & Sector Focus

AEA Investors appointed Adam Biren as partner and head of capital formation for the Americas, based in its New York office. Bridge Growth appointed Prosper Vignone as senior principal to its investment team, focusing on sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio oversight. Halifax tapped Rob Holcomb as an operating executive, bringing experience from his prior role as director of analytics at Johnson & Johnson. The acquisition of Meaden & Moore Advisors by Unity Partners underscores the growing private equity appetite for accounting firms. I Squared's acquisition of Milestone Environmental highlights continued investment in the energy waste management sector. The ongoing interest in HR tech is demonstrated by Lightyear's investment in Corestream. The increasing convergence of technology and specialized sectors is evident with AI law startup Norm's significant funding round and the strategic expansion of Avio, backed by Advent. The UK's tech sector, while facing headwinds, continues to attract attention, with discussions around the role of a potential UK tech secretary Liz Kendall. Discussions around deeptech startups and their founders are also ongoing, with recognition for award-winning women building such ventures 2026’s award-winning women. The debut of IQM on public markets was met with applause from investors IQM investors applaud. Hive has raised $15 million for its "silicon brain" technology aimed at reducing machine operating costs. The trend of private equity firms entering sports ownership continues, with Blue Owl Capital's investment in the Cleveland Cavaliers.