Private Equity 24 Hours

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

Private Equity Deal Activity & Fundraising

Private equity firms are actively pursuing acquisitions across diverse sectors, with a notable increase in activity within industrial services, IT, and healthcare. Principal Industries, backed by Wynnchurch, acquired GENLED Brands, a provider of LED components. Similarly, Agellus Capital-backed Compass MSP acquired The Logic Group, a managed IT and cybersecurity firm, while Renovus-backed TJP purchased life sciences commercial operations firm FX2 Virtual in a strategic move. Sentinel also scooped up DecoPac, a supplier of cake decorations, from Kohlberg. In the professional services realm, Unity Partners acquired Meaden & Moore Advisors, signaling growing PE appetite for accounting firms, with plans for further add-on acquisitions. Capitol Meridian likewise snapped up Westway Enterprises, bolstering its national security infrastructure capabilities.

The energy sector continues to draw PE attention, with I Squared agreeing to acquire Milestone Environmental from SK Capital. Milestone operates disposal facilities for oil and gas drilling waste streams, strategically located across active US energy basins. Further diversifying its portfolio, Blue Owl Capital has acquired a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers through its Home Court Partners fund, marking its sixth NBA franchise investment and signaling sports as a growing alternative asset class.

In HR technology, Lightyear invested in Corestream, aiming to support the firm's continued growth. The aerospace and defense sector also saw M&A activity, with Advent taking a 7% stake in Avio to support the Italian space and defense propulsion group's expansion. Arlington is rolling out a new naval services platform, Highwater, by combining its portfolio company Eptec Defence with AMP United in a significant consolidation. Thirty-5 Capital-backed Paddletek acquired performance paddle company PIKKL, and Allied Industrial-backed Mat Tech acquired industrial hauling company Hook Set Transportation, underscoring activity in niche consumer and industrial markets.

Fundraising & Investment Strategy

Fundraising efforts remain dynamic, with venture capital firms seeking substantial capital for new funds and startups achieving significant valuations. Chemistry Ventures, founded by alumni from Bessemer, Index Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz, is raising $500 million for its second fund. In a notable venture capital development, AI law startup Norm has secured $120 million in a Series C round led by Khosla Ventures, achieving a unicorn valuation of $1.2 billion.

Australian pension fund Rest is looking to increase its private markets exposure, particularly in private equity and infrastructure, with its new head of private markets, Marina Pasika, aiming to balance growth and liquidity. On the secondaries market, Patria's head of secondaries, Patrick Knechtl, noted that deal flow continues to unlock, with their latest secondaries fund closing on $677 million ahead of its target, differentiating itself through a focus on smaller deals.

Personnel Moves & Strategic Exits

Key personnel changes are shaping investment firms' capabilities. AEA Investors has tapped Adam Biren as partner and head of capital formation for the Americas, based in its New York office to bolster its fundraising efforts. Bridge Growth appointed Prosper Vignone as senior principal to join its investment team, focusing on sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio oversight to drive deal execution. Halifax has named Rob Holcomb as an operating executive, previously serving as a director of analytics at Johnson & Johnson to enhance operational expertise.

Strategic exits are also occurring. Summit Partners has exited Dreampath Diagnostics to Halma, after Dreampath, which designs systems for pathology labs, expanded to serve over 500 labs in 50 countries after significant growth. HCPI sold Epicurean Butter to Solina USA, having initially partnered with the founders in 2019 marking a successful investment cycle. EQT has agreed to acquire Corza Medical's biosurgery unit from GTCR, which includes the Tacho Sil product portfolio in a strategic divestiture. Thoma Bravo closed a merger combining Hypergene with Stratsys, uniting their respective FP&A and governance software platforms to create a broader offering. KKR and TA Associates-backed Söderberg has agreed to acquire Benchmark Capital, the UK financial advice business, from Schroders as part of its expansion strategy. Apheon has acquired French frozen snack group Alma, with plans for expansion into Benelux, Germany, and the UK, while Novo Holdings is ramping up its planetary health deal plans indicating continued interest in food and sustainability.

Venture Capital & Startup Ecosystem

The European startup scene remains active, with venture capital firms doubling down on promising companies and emerging sectors attracting significant investment. Accel has doubled down on energy, demonstrating continued conviction in the energy technology sector. Sifted's analysis identified the 25 companies that Europe’s startup insiders watched most closely in the first half of the year, highlighting emerging trends. Lovable is reportedly in talks to raise $300 million at a $13.2 billion valuation, signaling strong investor interest.

The deeptech sector is also seeing notable developments, with specific attention on women-led startups aiming for success in 2026 as innovation continues. Investcorp-backed KSS has acquired Strack Scale Service, a provider of mission-critical calibration and maintenance services for industrial weighing systems expanding its industrial service offerings. In a move that could impact UK technology policy, Liz Kendall expressed her desire to continue as the UK tech secretary driving digital policy forward.