Private Equity 24 Hours

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

Fundraising and Dealmaking Activity

Harbour Vest Partners closed its seventh co-investment programme at $4.75bn, exceeding its fundraising target. The Minnesota State Board of Investment is also. Meanwhile, Ares backed Firebird Music's $750m catalogue acquisition fund, supporting music rights acquisitions. In the HR tech sector, Shore Capital, Lightyear, and Bridgepoint, while Apollo is reportedly bidding for budget airline Easy Jet.

Sector-Specific Investments

Private equity firms are actively targeting specific sectors. Apollo, Kain, and OMERS are focused on primary care, driven by the sector's growing need for digital infrastructure. KKR launched a new platform to invest in medical device innovation. Warburg Pincus invested in Australian credit agency Creditor Watch, aiming to expand its presence in Asia. EQT, Advent, and KKR are reportedly circling molecular testing group Qiagen, indicating potential takeover interest in the European company. Elsewhere, CenterGate Capital, which operates eleven dental laboratories across Canada.

Venture Capital and Startup Concerns

AI continues to dominate venture funding, with five of the ten largest announced rounds this week involving AI infrastructure and cybersecurity, including two billion-dollar financings as reported by Crunchbase News. Yann LeCun’s newly launched fund has reportedly shut down due to exclusivity relationships Sifted reported. A lawsuit filed by college app Fizz of sharing confidential startup information with a rival. In other startup news, intriguing deals involve AI for dispatching services and companies working to streamline private market transactions.

Market Trends and Valuations

European tech's appeal to investors has diminished, with a notable decline in interest from "tourist investors" according to Sifted. The performance of Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) is also under scrutiny, with analysis suggesting that "not all ARR is created equal" Sifted observed. Discussions around "physical AI" are framed as Europe's potential last opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the global technological landscape Sifted stated. Meanwhile, sovereign capital, global chipmakers, and serial investors are behind Europe’s emerging unicorns Sifted reported. Pasqal's SPAC filings reveal over $500m in fresh funding, concerns about "French state influence," and a valuation increase to 100 times its initial investment Sifted noted. SoftBank and Pay Pay are in discussions regarding an investment in Seven & i Holdings, the owner of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, as a potential buyout saga continues PE Insights reported.