Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Market Activity & Deal Making
Global private equity dealmaking pe-insights.com rebounded sharply in 2025, with buyout deal value surging to $904 billion as investors adapted to compressed valuations. Novacap pe-insights.com closed its Technologies Fund VII at nearly $3.8 billion, exceeding its $2.75 billion target by over $1 billion. Clearlake's José E. Feliciano pehub.com discussed AI disruption strategies at PEI's NEXUS 2026 summit, emphasizing the need to identify winners and losers in the evolving technological landscape.
Major Acquisitions & Takeovers
CD&R's $6.2 billion Sealed Air takeover pe-insights.com secured shareholder backing and EU clearance, marking a significant consolidation in the packaging sector. Verdane pehub.com launched a £186 million bid for Augmentum Fintech, while KKR pe-insights.com is lining up a $1 billion IPO exit for Global Medical Response. Bain Capital and Lone Star Funds pe-insights.com advanced in the $1.9 billion bid race for Mitsubishi Electric's auto unit, competing with other private equity firms for strategic assets.
Portfolio Company Moves
EQT-backed Scale Microgrids pehub.com scooped up Reload to expand its advanced energy solutions portfolio. Genstar-backed Docupace pehub.com acquired fintech firm Invest Edge to strengthen its AI-enabled wealth management software platform. Ardian pe-insights.com partnered with Legal & General to open private equity to 5.6 million UK DC savers, broadening retail access to alternative investments.
Secondary Market Developments
Temasek's Azalea Investment Management secondariesinvestor.com expects more GPs to use continuation vehicles to crystallize liquidity for LPs, while GIC secondariesinvestor.com emerged as lead buyer on Meridiam's €2 billion+ CV portfolio. Lazard secondariesinvestor.com reported that 40% of GPs expect to consider continuation vehicles in the next two years, with mid-market sponsors increasingly turning to larger CVs to hold trophy assets.
Exit Environment & LP-GP Dynamics
Blackstone's Verdun Perry pehub.com predicted exit activity would grow 30-40% in 2026, with secondaries volume expected to reach record levels. NEXUS panelists pehub.com highlighted that lack of exits and compressed PE returns are complicating LP-GP dynamics, with Mike Lazorik of Texas TRS noting that alignment has "never been more complicated." CalPERS' Marcie Frost pehub.com emphasized that LPs want greater transparency from GPs on portfolio company data to better manage risk.
Sector-Specific Activity
Private equity is backing next-generation football formats pe-insights.com with over $185 million in capital, flowing into digital-first, small-sided leagues. Private equity firms pe-insights.com have more than tripled their share of London office acquisitions, with a $1.68 billion retrofit push reshaping the commercial real estate landscape. Water infrastructure pehub.com is drawing increased interest from private equity firms seeking exposure to markets with attractive features.
Regional & Strategic Moves
Qatar Investment Authority pe-insights.com committed several hundred million dollars to 5C to expand private credit capabilities. PIF unit Jada pe-insights.com plans to ramp up private credit as Stride targets $200 million Saudi deployment. Gencom pe-insights.com accelerated its New York hotel buying spree with family office backing, reflecting increased hospitality sector activity.
Fundraising & Capital Deployment
One River Asset Management pe-insights.com expanded to $3 billion AUM with the acquisition of LGT Capital's quantitative investment unit. Otro Capital pehub.com closed a $1.2 billion fund to pursue a broader sports ecosystem after investments in Flex Work Sports, Formula 1 team Alpine Racing, and Two Circles. Ardian opened private equity to retail investors through its Legal & General partnership, democratizing access to alternative investments.
Industry Leadership & Strategy
Thoma Bravo's Holden Spaht and New York's Anastasia Titarchuk pehub.com discussed how GPs and LPs view AI disruption at NEXUS 2026, highlighting the technology's transformative impact on portfolio companies. 26North's Josh Harris pehub.com warned that mixing retail capital with wealth capital via vehicles with differing regulatory levels could lead to industry backlash. Retired vice admiral William Hilarides pehub.com found a new calling as private equity backs the defense industry, aiming to help companies grow at the rate the Navy needs.
Operational Enhancements
L Catterton pe-insights.com strengthened operational oversight at portfolio company Tonal as private equity reshapes the connected fitness landscape. Hg launched an initiative to drive AI adoption at portcos, recognizing the technology's potential to enhance operational efficiency. Baird pehub.com invested in digital safety services firm Auto Loto to support expansion of automated worker safety solutions for the built environment.
Legal & Regulatory Developments
ECI Partners pehub.com welcomed Marijn Pangemanan as new investment director while appointing Scarlett Salamon as investor relations analyst. Evercore secondariesinvestor.com tapped Adams Street Partners for a new APAC secondaries head following the departure of Shane Gong. Main Capital-backed TMA pehub.com made its third add-on acquisition since partnering with Main Capital Partners in December 2024, acquiring HR tech business STYR.
Economic Impact & Market Sentiment
OMERS pe-insights.com reported $8.2 billion net income in 2025 as private equity lagged its broader portfolio, generating a 6% net investment return. Bain found that 40% of GPs expect to consider continuation vehicles in the next two years, reflecting the industry's adaptation to challenging exit environments. PEI pehub.com noted that the industry's recovery appears to be gaining traction as more GPs shake off economic uncertainty and valuation concerns to deploy capital and accelerate distributions to investors.