Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 16, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Deal Activity and Fund Strategies

Private equity firms continue to actively deploy capital across various sectors, with a notable increase in M&A activity. sells HIP to its portfolio company Machine Sciences. sells manufacturer. In the healthcare space. Serent-backed Raintree. One Equity. Oridian-backed ACR. invests agricultural. Furthermore, CD&R-backed White.

In Europe, H.I.G. Capital launches €1bn German residential platform Highground, and Bridgepoint buys majority stake in Germany's GBA Group as Ardian exits. Arlington Capital. adds Milan. Montagu's Christoph. Advantage Partners plans to focus on Japanese firms shielded from foreign takeovers Advantage Partners to target Japanese firms.

Venture Capital and Emerging Markets

The venture capital landscape shows continued investment in AI-powered companies and a growing interest in Asian markets. AI-powered travel, valuing the company at $1 billion. Founders Fund. In Asia, with investors pouring $42.8 billion into startup funding rounds across the region. Germany is also seeing significant venture activity, with robotics startup Microagi raising $55 million in what is described as Germany's largest ever seed round.

Fund Management and Investor Trends

Fund managers are adjusting their strategies and allocations in response to market conditions and investor demands. Germany's KENFO plans to increase its allocation to private markets to 30% while trimming private equity exposure KENFO to lift private markets allocation. Partners Group has warned that evergreen outflows could reach $20 billion, with private equity accounting for two-thirds of its underperforming assets. The firm is also arranging unitranche financing for Astorg's buyout of Barkene Ardian arranges unitranche financing.

LP scrutiny on fund governance has intensified, with investors seeking greater control and stronger protections against succession and zombie fund risks, according to a Paul, Weiss report. Investors are also exploring diverse liquidity tools, with continuation vehicles emerging as a key option in private credit, though many LPs are still opting to cash out. M&G is building its infrastructure secondaries exposure and targeting continuation vehicles. EQT's €5 billion Scaleup Fund is reportedly in talks to lead a Mistral round, and EQT-backed Syntetica raises $30 million. EQT also has a VC continuation fund, with Harbour Vest leading a €526 million vehicle. BlackRock finds "three billion reasons to like Lat Am LPs".

Sector-Specific Investments and Valuations

Private equity continues to target specific sectors with strong growth potential. Verdane acquires stakes in four Trifork Labs technology businesses, including event-sourcing, digital health, and cybersecurity. Tailwater backs Pickton Gas Storage, led by former Nor Tex Midstream Partners management. Building products companies are attracting PE buyers like CD&R and Truelink. The Italian drugmaker Recordati's board has backed CVC Capital Partners and Groupe Bruxelles Lambert's takeover offer Recordati board backs CVC and GBL offer.

Despite the hype around mega-seed rounds for AI companies, historical data suggests that very large first financings rarely produce venture-scale returns due to high entry valuations limiting upside. In Europe, while venture rounds are getting larger, fewer companies are closing them.