Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

M&A Activity and Deal Valuations

Thoma Bravo is set to take the specialty insurance risk exchange platform Accelerant private in a deal valued at over $4 billion. Altamont Capital Partners, Accelerant's largest investor, and the company's founders will retain equity stakes alongside Thoma Bravo. In a separate transaction, New Mountain Capital has acquired Jensen Hughes, a global leader in fire safety engineering and consulting services. Meanwhile, Apax Partners is divesting its stake in Tosca, a food supply chain logistics provider, to Goldman Sachs Alternatives.

Fundraising and Investment Strategies

New 2ND Capital is nearing the close of its fourth fund, targeting $1.25 billion, and has already completed its first deal. Separately, Korea's National Pension Service (NPS) has increased its exposure to secondaries by an additional $1 billion, bringing its total secondaries funds and co-investments to approximately $3.7 billion. The NPS reported a 12% rise in its private equity assets under management, which now constitute about 7.2% of its total portfolio.

Sector-Specific Investments

Resurgens Technology Partners has invested in Qarma, a quality compliance platform, to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities and accelerate international expansion. Bernhard-backed Optimum Energy has acquired Hussung Mechanical Contractors and HMC Service Company, which serve healthcare systems, universities, and manufacturers. Astara Capital has acquired Dynatec, an industrial wastewater treatment firm serving sectors including food & beverage and data centers.

Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystems

London is seeing a surge in startup funding, with numerous meetups for founders and venture capitalists. Among the emerging technologies, drone startups are attracting significant VC attention, with ten notable companies identified for 2026. In a different sphere, Sarah Buchner, a carpenter by trade, founded Trunk Tools, an AI construction startup aimed at improving efficiency in the building sector.

Key Market Trends and Investor Activity

Blackstone is exploring a more significant push into the US retirement market, considering the integration of private markets into target-date funds and managed accounts. Hollyport Capital has secured backing from Blue Owl to remain independent, a move that highlights the industry's growth trajectory. Investors are increasingly focusing on local economy themes within private equity, with some dealmaking activity experiencing a slump.

Financial Services and Technology Investments

Bank of America is set to invest up to $1.9 billion for a nearly 50% stake in Jio Credit, the lending arm of Jio Financial Services. EQT Life Sciences is participating in a $152 million Series B round for Vaderis Therapeutics, a Swiss biotech company focused on rare diseases. Granite Creek-backed DCG has merged with Urban Emu, a digital and technology firm, to expand its capabilities.

Public Funds and Secondary Market Dynamics

Europe's top 30 public funds in the first half of 2026 are being closely watched for their investment strategies. The secondary market is also seeing activity, with Korea's National Pension Service adding $1 billion in secondaries exposure. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is intensifying its scrutiny of private funds' valuations, with examiners requesting specific fund information.

Infrastructure and Data Centers

Silver Lake and DigitalBridge are considering a significant exit from Vantage Data Centers, potentially through an IPO or sale that could value the hyperscale operator at around $100 billion.

Specialty and Niche Market Deals

Marlin's Radar Healthcare has completed an add-on acquisition of Cemplicity, a patient experience and outcomes platform operating internationally. RF Investment Partners has invested in RJ Underground, a drilling company serving municipal, utility, and residential clients. Braemont Capital has invested in Thought Logic, a consulting firm, to support its growth initiatives.

Financial Planning and Investment Management

WestBridge has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Beckett Investment Management, an English financial planning firm, from Foresight Group. Beckett has seen substantial growth in its assets under management, increasing from £800 million to £2.1 billion since 2021.

Activist Investor Activity

EQT and Digital Garage have increased their tender offer for Kakaku.com to ¥3,570 per share, approximately $22.40, aiming to outbid a rival proposal.

Drone Technology Startups

Venture capitalists are identifying emerging drone startups to watch in 2026, signaling continued interest in this sector.

Private Equity Market Overview

Six key areas of the private equity market have been analyzed for their mid-year developments and future outlook. Our mid-year take on the market’s hottest topics provides insights into these developments.