Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 30, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Mega-Funds and Large Deals Drive Sector Activity

Private equity firms continue to amass significant capital, with for its latest GP stakes fund, which is expected to close this year. CVC is also gearing up for a substantial raise, aiming for a Q3 close on its sixth secondaries fund, having already secured $9.3bn. Brookfield held a $2bn first close on its Middle East buyout fund, anchored by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. In a significant carve-out, Platinum Equity is acquiring 50% of Nestlé's waters arm for $3.4bn, creating a new entity valued at €4.9bn. KKR and Energy Capital Partners are set to acquire DCC in a £5.75bn ($7.78bn) takeover, a deal that the DCC board backed despite shareholder objections. TJC is also nearing a $20bn close for its seventh flagship fund, exceeding its target by $2bn.

Sector Investments Reflect AI and Energy Transition Trends

The burgeoning demand from AI data centers is fueling investment in the energy sector, with battery storage startup Antora. The European Union has opened applications for a €10bn scheme to build AI gigafactories. In cleantech ultrasonic inspections company Dark Vision. Meanwhile, Macquarie is reportedly exploring a sale of its waste-to-energy company, Win Waste. The EU is also planning to launch its first infrastructure secondaries vehicle. Health tech is also seeing significant capital inflow, with Function, a health testing platform, securing $450m from General Catalyst.

Deal-Making Across Industries Continues

Private equity firms are actively pursuing acquisitions and divestitures across various sectors. HIG Capital industrial services firm JT Thorpe to Truelink Capital. TSG Consumer is set to acquire body care brand Saltair, which was previously backed by Prelude Growth Partners. In the medical technology space, AIP has of Avanos Medical for $25 per share. Blackstone and Colony IM are jointly acquiring Accor's 30.7% stake in hotel owner Essendi for up to €975m ($1.12bn). Providence Equity Partners is taking full control of agency THE·TEAM in a buyout of Wasserman.

Fundraising and Realizations Highlight Market Dynamics

KKR reported its largest-ever monetization quarter, generating $848m in realized performance income with exit multiples reaching 20x. Savano has closed an oversubscribed direct secondaries fund, having already made 12 investments. In Asia, a concentration of capital in the large-cap space presents opportunities for GPs capable of raising smaller amounts down market, according to PE International. Swedens's Alecta suggests that purchase multiples are becoming the new DPI, emphasizing disciplined entry pricing for value creation. Evercore is expanding its APAC private capital advisory unit to capitalize on secondaries growth in the region.

Strategic Acquisitions and Growth Initiatives

Bain Capital has agreed to acquire UK vitamins leader Vitabiotics for approximately £900m ($1.2bn) as part of an international growth strategy. BlackRock-backed Influence Anthem Entertainment’s music assets for over $600m, including catalogs from artists like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Hg and EQT are selling Saa S provider Quantios to Vista Equity, while Open Gate plans to carve out Knorr-Bremse’s HVAC unit. MRC is backing Nexus Power to support its geographic expansion and targeted acquisitions. Dominus is investing in traffic products manufacturer Pelco Solutions, with the management team remaining significant shareholders.

VCs Adapt to New Landscape, Focusing on AI and Security

Venture capital firms are increasingly taking on operator roles, a trend explored by Sifted. London-based Inforcer has in a Series C round led by Insight Partners to help smaller businesses navigate AI and security risks. The European venture capital scene is benefiting from a chip rout, with some VCs quietly cheering the downturn. European startups are increasingly expanding internationally even at the seed stage. Former NEA partner Vanessa Larco focuses on evaluating founders and teams that leverage AI when picking startups.

Other Notable Transactions

BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners is backing a €1.2bn ($1.38bn) management buyout of Irish Continental Group, led by CEO Eamonn Rothwell. Hamilton Lane is leading a single-asset continuation vehicle for wealth management firm Savant Capital Holdings.