Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 2:34 PM ET

Fundraising and Investments

Private equity firms are actively seeking new capital and making strategic acquisitions. EQT's Scaleup Europe Fund has debuted with €450 million allocated to ICEYE, valuing the satellite operator at €10 billion. Meanwhile, Weymouth Retirement Board has issued a request for proposals for private equity co-investment managers, signaling a potential new allocation for the public pension fund. In the realm of distressed assets, Pimco and Pollen Street are reportedly among the suitors for a €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) non-performing loan package being sold by Italy's BFF Bank. Elsewhere, Battery Ventures is backing Vetspire's AI operating system for veterinary practices, providing funds to accelerate product innovation and AI development.

Mergers and Acquisitions

The manufacturing and services sectors have seen significant deal activity. Shurco, backed by Behrman, has acquired Heavy Motions Inc., expanding its manufacturing capabilities. Charger-backed Wolf-Gordon has acquired two interior surfaces providers, Andor Willow and Walls & Interiors, to bolster its offerings. In the energy sector, Bernhard-backed Optimum Energy has acquired Hussung Mechanical Contractors and HMC Service Company, which serves various critical facilities. The private equity firm Providence Equity has agreed to acquire Hometrack, a firm specializing in property valuation data and analytics for mortgage lenders in the UK and Netherlands.

Sector Focus and Deal Trends

Several private equity firms are targeting specific sectors. Butterfly Equity, Graham Partners and Wise Equity are among the firms transacting with nutraceuticals assets. The demand for antimicrobial testing is also driving deal momentum, as evidenced by Astorg's $1 billion carve-out of Thermo Fisher's microbiology business. In the technology infrastructure space, ASML, Amadeus and others are committing to back Mistral's data center buildout. CVC DIF, the infrastructure arm of CVC, is acquiring a majority stake in the German data center operator firstcolo from Cube Infrastructure. This deal, alongside other AI infrastructure-driven transactions, highlights a robust market for engineering and data center assets.

Valuation and Market Activity

The private equity landscape is experiencing shifts in strategy and valuation. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is pivoting towards value realization and courting private capital for its next phase, with a strategy focusing on active ownership. La Caisse's private equity portfolio saw a 4.3% decline in the first half of 2026, underperforming a benchmark that gained 8.0%, underscoring the variable returns within the asset class. In a significant development, Silver Lake is reportedly in talks to take Workday private in a deal that could be one of the largest software buyouts ever. The "Unicorn Board" saw 40 companies join in July, the highest count in four years, with financial services, robotics, AI, energy, and semiconductors leading the charge.

Global Expansion and Industry Insights

International expansion and industry-specific challenges are also prominent. UK spinout investor Northern Gritstone is set to open an office in San Francisco, signaling its intent to tap into the U.S. market. Meanwhile, European fintech is grappling with a culture problem, according to recent analysis. The secondaries market continues to evolve, with Hollyport Capital remaining independent after securing backing from Blue Owl. Investors are also closely watching emerging technologies, with VCs identifying 10 drone startups to monitor in 2026. London remains a hub for industry activity, with numerous meetups planned for founders and VCs.