Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 9, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Fundraising and M&A Activity Shows Resilience

Private equity dealmaking, particularly large transactions, continues to assert its influence on the global M&A market. This trend is supported by a notable surge in fundraising, with the second quarter of the year setting a new record. Schroders anticipates a threefold increase in GP-led secondary transaction volumes, suggesting a dynamic secondary market ahead volumes to treble. In the secondaries space specifically, activity is expected to gain momentum in the latter half of the year following a volatile first half. Charlesbank has finalized its investment in Overbay, a secondaries firm, with the Overbay team retaining significant long-term stakes and operational control.

Sector-Specific Investments and Platform Builds

KKR has launched Allyntra, a new medical technology platform anchored by its existing portfolio company Precipart. In the environmental services sector, several companies are reportedly preparing for sale, with Ares, Littlejohn, and Palladium among the firms considering divestments of environmental service providers. Kohlberg, meanwhile, has divested its stake in a cake decorations company to Sentinel exits company. Bregal-backed Juniper Landscaping has acquired two aquatic maintenance firms, Compass Environmental and Aquatic Weeds, expanding its commercial landscaping operations. Pye-Barker, also PE-backed, has acquired Response TECH, a security and life safety services provider. Decision HR, supported by Coalesce, has purchased payroll service provider Paymasters Inc. snaps up. Arrow Global has agreed to acquire Fusion Specialty Group, a managing general agent that has written approximately £290 million in gross premiums.

Venture Capital and European Startup Growth

Europe experienced its strongest quarter for venture funding in four years, with startups raising a total of $24 billion in the second quarter, a roughly one-third increase. This surge in European venture capital is also reflected in the establishment of new funds, with notable European funds emerging in the first half of 2026. World Fund and IQ Capital are among the investors in a €91 million round for Quantum Diamonds backers of round. In a separate development, Paradigm, a crypto venture capital firm, has raised $1.2 billion to invest in startups focusing on the "technical frontier," including robotics and AI, signaling an expansion beyond its cryptocurrency origins. EdVisorly, an AI-native platform addressing college transfer processes, has secured a $13.3 million Series A funding round.

Strategic Moves and Market Outlook

Korean Teachers' Credit Union is planning to commit 100 billion won to domestic blind-pool venture capital funds in 2026. Nandan Nilekani has stepped down from his GP role at Fundamentum but remains an anchor investor as the firm launches its third fund, targeting $200 million for Indian AI and fintech startups. B Capital is leading an investor consortium, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System, to acquire Russell Investments. Searchlight’s James Redmayne views B2B events and blue-collar services as areas of high conviction for the firm, noting that the gap between bid and ask prices for quality assets is narrowing, which should encourage selective deal activity in the second half of the year. Redmayne also pointed to a distinct bifurcation in the market, where premium assets with stable fundamentals are attracting significant buyer interest, while more cyclical or AI-exposed businesses are facing challenges. O2 Investment Partners has appointed Micah Dawson as an operating partner to drive value across its portfolio companies. Europe’s defense sector has seen a new unicorn emerge, raising $175 million in a Series B funding round. PSG Equity has agreed to a majority growth investment in Bright Analytics, a Belgian corporate performance management software provider serving over 1,300 customers across Europe agrees to investment.