Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 10, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Private Equity Activity Surges in HR Tech and Corporate Services

Private equity firms have been active in the HR technology space, with to acquire or invest in HR tech companies. Decathlon Capital Partners is supporting the expansion of Amprion's diagnostic testing capacity for neurodegenerative diseases through an investment. Coalesce-backed Decision HR has acquired payroll service Paymasters Inc., a move that bolsters its HR outsourcing solutions as reported by PE Hub. Meanwhile, PE-backed Pye-Barker has acquired security and life safety firm Response TECH, expanding its services in fire protection and security. Bregal-backed Juniper Landscaping also acquired two aquatic maintenance firms, Compass Environmental and Aquatic Weeds, to grow its commercial landscaping platform as noted by PE Hub. These deals signal continued M&A activity and platform expansion within the sector.

Apollo Upsets easy Jet Take-Private, Defence Sector Sees Unicorn Growth

Apollo Global Management has entered the fray for easy Jet, tabling a £5.7 billion bid that upended the airline's agreed take-private by Castlelake. The higher offer prompted easy Jet's board to withdraw support for the rival bidder. In other news, Europe's defence sector is showing signs of growth, with a defence unicorn raising $175 million in a Series B funding round as detailed by Sifted. This comes as Europe posted its strongest venture funding quarter in four years, with startups raising $24 billion in Q2, a gain of about a third compared to the previous period.

Fundraising Records and Investor Intentions Shape the Market

Global private equity fundraising has reached a new record in the second quarter, largely buoyed by the $49 billion raised for MGX Fund I in June as tracked by PE International. Schroders anticipates that GP-led secondary volumes could triple, and secondaries activity is expected to pick up in the latter half of the year following a turbulent first half. Korean investment organizations are showing specific intentions for domestic blind funds, with the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance and Prevention Fund seeking to commit 270 billion Korean won to domestic blind PE/VC funds for 2026. Similarly, the Korean Teachers' Credit Union plans to commit 100 billion won to domestic blind-pool VC funds for the same year.

Firms Evolve Operations and Evaluate Portfolio Companies

Blue Wolf Capital has appointed Anne Bailey as its lead operating partner, while George Judd will continue as an operating partner at the firm. O2 Investment Partners has tapped Micah Dawson as an operating partner, focusing on driving value across its portfolio companies as reported by PE Hub. In portfolio management, KKR has unveiled a new medical tech platform called Allyntra, anchored by existing portfolio company Precipart. Meanwhile, several environmental service providers are reportedly being evaluated for sale by firms including Ares, Littlejohn, Palladium, and TPG, with Kohlberg exiting its investment in a cake decorations company to Sentinel. Charlesbank has completed an investment in secondaries PE firm Overbay, with the Overbay team remaining significant long-term shareholders and retaining control of investment activities. B Capital-led investor group, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System, is set to acquire Russell Investments.

Valuation Milestones and Founder Advice

Mercor is reportedly in talks for a $20 billion valuation, a significant increase from its October valuation of $10 billion. In venture capital, Precursor Ventures' Charles Hudson shared common mistakes founders make, particularly in the current environment facing early-stage startups. Fundamentum has launched its third fund with $200 million, with Nandan Nilekani remaining as anchor investor while expanding its leadership team and targeting AI and fintech startups in India as detailed by Tech Crunch Venture. Pasqal's SPAC filings reveal over $500 million in fresh funding, alongside concerns about "French state influence" and a valuation reportedly reaching 100 times its previous figure Sifted reported.