Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 29, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Venture Capital Activity and Funding Rounds

Early-stage venture capital continues to pour into deeptech and AI startups, with 13 early-stage deeptech companies attracting backing from Tier 1 VCs in the first half of 2026. Artificial intelligence is a significant focus, particularly in cybersecurity, where startups at the intersection of AI and security have collectively raised $855 million across over 150 reported seed-stage rounds this year. In the health tech sector, Throne Science, a startup developing an AI-powered toilet camera for gut health monitoring, secured $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Will Ventures. Dwelly, an AI rollup startup, announced a significant $170 million raise backed by EQT and General Catalyst. Meanwhile, Pliant, a company not explicitly defined but likely in a growth phase, achieved $100 million in annual recurring revenue following its expansion into the US market hits $100m.

Private Equity Dealmaking and Portfolio Adjustments

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors. Golub Capital provided backing to the fast-food chain Church’s Texas Chicken. Riverside-backed Decera Clinical expanded its healthcare portfolio by investing in the knowledge platform Onviv. Stonepeak and CMA CGM finalized the formation of United Ports, with Stonepeak investing $2.4 billion for a 25% stake in the joint venture. AIP finalized the buyout of material handling firm Intelligrated from Honeywell Technologies. HIG acquired Avove, an infrastructure services and engineering firm focused on regulated water and power markets. Behrman-backed Micross completed the acquisition of manufacturer AEMtec, a provider of high-reliability microelectronic solutions. FEP acquired Bravo Fit, an Australian Planet Fitness franchisee, with Planet Fitness exiting its minority ownership stake as part of the transaction. BC Partners agreed to acquire a co-control stake in Info RLife, a Swiss CDMO specializing in IV infusion bags for hospitals. Mutares is set to acquire the Free2move car-sharing business from Stellantis, which operates across 14 cities in Europe and the US.

Infrastructure and Wealth Management Investments

Infrastructure-focused deals are also on the rise. Tower Brook's Joseph Knoll commented on the European market, noting lower multiples but a more challenging regulatory environment, while ECP and KKR are reportedly making offers for DCC Energy. In a secondary market transaction, Step Stone led a £140 million deal for Premier Modular, a modular buildings provider that raised a total of £360 million from a group of European infrastructure investors. Wealth management continues to be an attractive area for private equity, with Carlyle making its debut investment from a new aerospace platform.

Investor Strategies and Firm Movements

Limited partners are seeking specific expertise, with one of Europe’s most active LPs actively looking for venture capital firms possessing strong "industrial know-how". Family offices are adjusting their private equity exposure; Green Bear is reportedly paring back its stake in illiquid assets by selling private equity fund stakes bilaterally through secondaries, favoring separately managed accounts for cost-efficiency benefits amidst lower private equity returns. Visionaries is streamlining its investment team for its next fund, reducing it to two lead partners. AE Industrial Partners has appointed Leonard Dollaga as an operating partner to help identify investment opportunities in national security sectors, particularly maritime. Asia’s Affinity has experienced further senior departures, with at least nine senior executives leaving since the start of 2023, including four partners in the last 12 months. Discussions around GP compensation and alignment are ongoing, with feedback suggesting a drive towards single-asset continuation vehicles due to software disruption.