Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Fund Activity

Private equity firms are actively engaged in a wide range of acquisitions and investments. Blackstone, Apollo are collectively providing $5.34bn to energy company Williams for a minority stake in five power innovation projects. In a significant move, ArchiMed is taking biopharma firm Esperion Therapeutics private for $1.1bn, focusing on therapies for cardiometabolic and rare diseases. Audax Linden are set to sell Stat Lab Medical Products to Leica Biosystems, an operating company of Danaher Corporation. On the technology front, Stripe and Advent have reportedly tabled a joint offer of over $53bn to acquire PayPal.

BlackRock’s GIP is acquiring Summit Ridge, a commercial solar power firm that constructs, owns, and operates solar and energy storage systems across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and New England. Stone Point Capital and Further Global are acquiring ABC Economics, a firm specializing in competition and regulatory advisory, with Ardian also making an investment in the healthcare recruitment platform Pflegia. AnaCap-backed Ryze has signed a deal to acquire Krata, a Spanish firm focused on property valuations and technical advisory. Further consolidating its portfolio has acquired three transportation tech firms.

In the healthcare sector is acquiring Cross Safety, a health, safety, and environmental services firm, including its TRH operations in the US and Mexico. Point-backed VetnCare has acquired Holistic Veterinary Care, a community of veterinary hospitals in Northern California. Kaltroco is investing in Smile America Partners, a school dental program, to support its continued growth. Meanwhile, Pincus-led investors are acquiring a controlling stake in Pantherx Rare, a pharmacy, from sellers Nautic Partners, General Atlantic, and The Vistria Group.

Sector-Specific Investments and Consolidations

The music industry is also seeing private equity interest, with Pophouse acquiring a stake in Iron Maiden’s music and NIL rights. This follows a trend where firms are exploring music royalties, as noted in PE Hub's coverage. In the financial services and software space have acquired ABC Economics. Lightyear Capital is backing tax and accounting firm Prosperity Partners, with Unity Partners retaining a minority stake.

Industry consolidation is evident across various sectors. KKR is taking a majority stake in Thomson Reuters' global print business, while other firms like Apollo and Clearlake are also involved in acquiring private markets firms. Innovatus-backed Meet has acquired ad agency The Loomis Agency, including its digital marketing arm. Carlyle Alp Invest has closed its second single asset-focused fund on $1.7bn, surpassing its target and predecessor fund.

Fintech Funding and AI's Growing Influence

Fintech funding has seen a significant surge year-over-year in H1 2026, despite a more than 25% drop in deal counts. This indicates investors are making fewer, but larger, bets. This trend aligns with a broader concentration of capital, where corporate venture capital is increasingly splitting, with power consolidating at the top of the market, impacting smaller funds most acutely.

The influence of Artificial Intelligence is a key driver in investment decisions. AI drug are attracting significant investor interest, with one researcher from OpenAI reportedly in talks to launch a startup valued at $2bn. This focus on AI is also evident in the surge of venture funding into fintech startups, with investors concentrating their bets on AI and financial infrastructure.

Real Estate Secondaries and Wealth Management Expansion

The real estate secondary market is experiencing increased deal flow, fueled by a growing cohort of institutional investors seeking exposure to in-demand asset classes. CalPERS reported a 17 percent private equity return, indicating strong performance in the sector. On the wealth management front is focused on expanding its European operations, aiming to offer more retail-eligible products while navigating fragmented regulatory environments.

Personnel Moves and Strategic Developments

Key personnel movements are shaping private equity firms. Banyan has promoted Simon Gélinas to managing director and head of investments, where he will lead the firm's investment function. Similarly, Vance Street has appointed Jason Burmer as managing director and head of business development, bringing his experience from Edgewater Capital Partners. The industry continues to evolve, with firms like AlpInvest launching specialized funds and looking for new growth avenues in wealth management.