Private Equity 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 14, 2026, 11:47 PM ET
Buyouts & Portfolio Deals
Searchlight's IPS is acquiring Windsor, Colorado-based Bold Renewables from Right Lane, a solar inverter servicer that serves as the exclusive OEM source of field service and spare parts. Brynwood's West Madison has bought Flavor of California, the licensee that makes and sells Bob's Big Boy dressings, from Salt Creek. Archimed has taken a majority stake in Brazilian wastewater treatment specialist Genetica Bioscience, which develops and manufactures biological products for industrial clients. Habco has acquired century-old Virginia electrical contractor EG Middleton, which employs about 120 people, more than 100 of them electricians. Ara Partners has taken a majority stake in crop residue harvester Pacific Ag, which collects corn stover and wheat straw. BBH Capital Partners has purchased a minority stake in loan servicer Goal Solutions, which provides loan servicing, asset management and SPV administration.
Consumer & Platform Deals
Permira's The Knot Worldwide has agreed to acquire wedding platform Zola, which says more than 2 million couples have used its services over 13 years. Blackstone has agreed to sell ZO Skin Health to Galderma in a $1.5bn transaction, with the business generating about $330m in net revenue. Audax Private Equity's AKAM has added New York property manager Matthew Adam Properties, which oversees 85 residential and commercial properties.
Services & Technology
Rockbridge Growth Equity's Formativ Group has acquired AI and technology consultancy Saige Consulting, which helps public and private sector organizations modernize operations. PSG Equity is backing a merger of Be-Cloud and Quality Hosting to form a pan-European cloud platform serving SMBs with Microsoft cloud and managed services. Metal has outlined how PE managers can lay data foundations before buying or building AI infrastructure.
Large-Cap Dealmaking & Sale Processes
Permira is in talks to sell credit intelligence provider Octus to the London Stock Exchange Group for $3.5bn, a deal Palliser Capital has also scrutinized alongside its concerns over the CVC and GBL bid for Italy's Recordati. BlackRock's HPS is set to buy out Welsh Carson's $2.8bn stake in Humana's Center Well clinics.
Fundraising & Fund Management
Gen Nx360 has closed a $285m continuation fund led by Churchill for Whitsons Culinary Group, moving the Hauppauge, New York dining services provider into a single-asset vehicle. Adams Street has launched a $363.5m evergreen venture and growth fund aimed at wealthy investors. Archi Med is detailing how it will deploy €1.5bn from its fourth small-cap healthcare fund as AI reshapes the sector.
Performance & Regulation
Smaller fund managers are struggling to dispose of ageing assets, raising questions about whether the worst of the fund performance slump is over. Australia's regulator ASIC has voiced significant concerns over persistent valuation risks in unlisted assets across the superannuation sector.
Personnel
Searchlight Capital has hired Sebastian Inger, formerly of Investcorp, as a London partner, bringing more than 15 years of investment experience.
Venture & Startups
Stella & Dot founder Jessica Herrin has raised $5M for Marklo, an AI marketing startup. Crunchbase's September unicorn tally saw 38 companies join the board, led by semiconductor, fintech and space technology firms. Sifted reports that AI is shifting finance from reactive to proactive systems. Europe's quantum founders say fundraising is uncapped for homegrown champions. The UK's first VC fund for refugee founders has launched with backing from Atomico. Europe's most active pre-seed investors are revealing their next focus areas.