Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Market Moves & Major Deals
The S&P 500 pehub.com fell 1.2% marking its first two-week loss since June, while Entrata pe-insights.com advanced its IPO plans with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan. Private equity firm Sverica pehub.com promoted Michael Dougherty to partner and Doug Patrican to principal, hiring Matt Johnson as a new principal. The sector saw significant fundraising momentum with KKR Capital Corporation pe-insights.com reporting increased troubled loans in its fourth quarter. BlackRock’s GIP pe-insights.com and EQT finalized advanced discussions to acquire US power producer AES in a potential $12.4 billion deal. Falfurrias-backed Woven Solutions pehub.com completed the acquisition of government consultancy Valence, while Searchlight and Abry pehub.com moved to take IoT company Kore private for $726 million at $9.25 per share. Advent International pe-insights.com joined potential bidders for Senior plc, which disclosed receiving five takeover offers.
Leadership Shifts & Strategic Moves
DPI pehub.com named Sofiane Lahmar as its new CEO, succeeding the firm’s founder. Astorg pehub.com saw its mid-cap co-head Edouard Pillot depart, with Lionel de Posson assuming sole control of the team. Cavu pehub.com promoted Jared Jacobs to managing partner, while Behrman pehub.com sold Waterline Renewal Technologies to New Mountain-based Azuria. Insight Equity pehub.com acquired aerosol products maker IKI, and Terminus pehub.com invested in fintech firm Eventus. Bridgepoint pehub.com committed capital to build music-oriented businesses through Gold State Music investments.
Fundraising, Financing & Strategic Expansions
KKR’s $13bn FSK fund pe-insights.com adapted to the shifting private credit landscape, while Blackstone’s private credit fund pe-insights.com priced a $400m 2029 bond amid software volatility. Calpers pe-insights.com maintained confidence in its $1.8 trillion private credit exposure despite AI-driven software risks. Equinix and CPPIB pe-insights.com neared a $4bn deal for Nordic data centre operator at North. Carlyle set a $200bn inflow target by 2028 as its turnaround gains traction. Renovus-backed SolomonEdwards pehub.com acquired consulting and recruiting firm CFO’s Domain.
AI, Tech & Niche Sectors
Clearlake’s José E. Feliciano pehub.com warned that "everything’s being lumped into the same bucket" regarding AI disruption, noting that buyouts of software businesses currently carry a "four-letter word" stigma. Inflexion’s John DiGiovanni pehub.com highlighted "exciting" AI use cases in healthcare. Oaktree Capital Management pe-insights.com explored a $2.7bn exit for UK wealth manager Utmost, while La Caisse pe-insights.com grew to $378bn after a 9.3% return in 2025. Apollo Global Management pe-insights.com and BNP Paribas joined forces to expand European private credit origination.
Other Key Developments
Trive Capital pehub.com invested in Rolfson Oil, which subsequently acquired Flint Logistics Group. EQT pehub.com sold its remaining shares in Azelis for €190m. Wise Equity pehub.com invested in vending machine manufacturer FAS International. Tonka Bay pehub.com backed home services marketing platform Camp Digital. CPP Investments secondariesinvestor.com planned to deploy about C$20bn into private equity this year. Blackstone’s Foley and Khan pehub.com identified electrical products distributor Arlington as having "add-on potential." Arcmont pe-insights.com secured $1.62bn for a complex European private credit strategy. IOP pehub.com sold retail fixtures provider Royston to LSI Industries for $320m. Gemspring-backed Zavation pehub.com picked up Choice Spine. Sterling pehub.com tapped Noah Bishop as SVP, focusing on platform investments and value creation. Plaid pe-insights.com returned to an $8bn valuation in a new employee liquidity