Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 10, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Fuels Healthcare and Entertainment Sectors

Apollo Global Management is injecting €3bn of equity into Bayer's long-acting reversible contraceptives business, a significant capital solutions deal. The firm also tabled a £5.7bn bid for easy Jet, upending a prior agreement with Castlelake and prompting the airline's board to withdraw support for the rival suitor. Separately, Ares Management is backing Firebird Music with $750m for a new platform focused on music catalogue acquisitions, an endeavor partnered with merchant bank The Raine Group. Warburg Pincus is investing in Australian credit reporting agency Creditor Watch, aiming to expand its reach in Asia. In the HR tech space have been active, with Shore Capital, Lightyear, and Bridgepoint signing deals. Decathlon Capital will support Amprion Inc.'s expansion of diagnostic testing for neurodegenerative diseases. Apollo and other firms, including Littlejohn and Palladium, are reportedly evaluating the sale of environmental service providers, while Kohlberg is exiting its investment in a cake decorations company to Sentinel.

Fundraising and Startup Investments Show Continued Activity

Private equity hit a new record in the second quarter, significantly boosted by the $49bn raised for MGX Fund I in June. Schroders anticipates that GP-led transaction volumes could treble. In the venture capital sphere, often called the "AI godfather," is in discussions with limited partners for a new venture firm. Korean investment organizations, including the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance and Prevention Fund and KTCU, are seeking domestic blind PE/VC funds for 2026, with commitments totaling 270bn Korean won and 100bn won respectively. Charlesbank has completed an investment in secondaries PE firm Overbay, with the Overbay team retaining significant long-term shareholdings and operational independence. In the startup world, Precursor Ventures founder Charles Hudson shared common mistakes he has observed after investing in over 500 startups, while Mercor is reportedly in talks for a $20bn valuation, a substantial increase from its October valuation of $10bn.

Sector Focus on Primary Care and European Tech

Private equity including Apollo, Arsenal, and OMERS Private Equity are actively investing in the digitalization of primary care, with six deals noted in the sector. European tech has seen a shift in investor sentiment, with "tourist investors" reportedly falling out of love with certain hot sectors as noted by Sifted. Despite broader trends has seen its newest unicorn raise $175m in a Series B round. The complexities of valuation, particularly for companies with recurring revenue, are also being discussed, with the notion that "not all ARR is created equal" according to Sifted. Pasqal's SPAC filings reveal over $500m in fresh funding and raise questions about potential "French state influence" and a 100x valuation as detailed by Sifted. The importance of "physical AI" is also being discussed as a potential area for Europe to maintain global relevance as per Sifted.

Market Dynamics and Operational Appointments

Private equity continues to be a significant force in the global market, with mega-deals playing an increasingly central role. Blue Wolf has appointed Anne Bailey as its lead operating partner, with George Judd transitioning to an operating partner role. The secondaries market is becoming more sophisticated, prompting Secondaries Investor to introduce enhanced surveys for advisory and law firms as reported. The discussion around startup deals includes AI for biology and companies focused on areas like underground warfare and reducing paperwork in private markets. Sovereign capital, global chipmakers, and serial investors are behind Europe's new unicorns as analyzed by Sifted.