Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 8:46 AM ET

Fundraising

Brookfield Asset Management gathered a record $77bn of capital in the second quarter, drawing on its private equity, infrastructure, and credit franchises. That blockbuster haul stands in stark contrast to the broader market: dealflow wilted, posting its worst Q2 since 2020 as macro turbulence returned. Meanwhile, Korea's Employment Insurance Fund plans to commit 120bn won to blind-pool private equity and venture capital funds for 2026.

Deals and Exits

I Squared Capital agreed a $733m take-private of oOh!media, the Australian out-of-home advertising operator, paying a 100% premium on equity. In infrastructure, VSS closed a minority stake in Cordoba, betting on an asset class AI cannot displace, according to principal Sai Parepally. Revolut secured a French banking licence, strengthening its European foothold in private markets.

Venture Capital and Unicorns

A wave of major AI IPOs could return significant liquidity to LPs, potentially fueling a new venture fundraising cycle rather than just moving public-market valuations. Already, global unicorn counts in H1 2026 hit 195 new additions, surpassing full-year 2025 totals. The UK’s AI ecosystem faces uncertainty after a DeepMind shakeup tests the nation’s ambitions, with DeepMind’s future now critical for retaining tech leadership. In London, the former red-light district of King's Cross has emerged as a top AI hub. Meanwhile, Nabla’s new CEO Brian Manning insists the AI healthtech company is “not here to be acquired.”

Regional Spotlight

An entrepreneurial ecosystem is drawing dealmakers to Spain’s mid-market, where family-owned businesses approach succession decisions and seek external capital to professionalise and scale internationally.