Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Major Takeover Bids & Strategic Moves
BlackRock's GIP and EQT pe-insights.com are in advanced discussions to acquire US power producer AES in a potential $12.4 billion deal. Meanwhile, Volkswagen AG pe-insights.com has received preliminary bids valuing its diesel engine unit Everllence at around €8 billion from Blackstone, CVC and Brookfield. Senior plc pe-insights.com disclosed it has received five takeover offers totaling £1.78 billion, with Advent International among potential bidders.
Fundraising & Capital Deployment
Carlyle Group pe-insights.com expects to raise at least $200 billion in inflows by 2028 as its turnaround gains traction. Arcmont Asset Management pe-insights.com completed the final close of Capital Solutions Fund II at €1.62 billion for complex European private credit strategies. KKR's pe-insights.com $13 billion FSK fund is adapting to the shifting private credit landscape, while Blackstone's pe-insights.com private credit fund priced a $400 million 2029 bond amid software market volatility.
Portfolio Company Activity
Falfurrias-backed Woven Solutions pehub.com acquired government consultancy Valence, a Reston, Virginia-based provider of software for the national security community. Multiples PE-backed Zenex Animal Health pehub.com picked up Netherlands-based Vieve Pharm, recognized for its expertise in phytogenic formulations for livestock and pet care markets. Gemspring-backed Zavation pehub.com acquired Choice Spine, while Renovus-backed SolomonEdwards pehub.com snapped up consulting and recruiting firm CFO's Domain.
Leadership Changes & Promotions
Sverica pehub.com promoted Michael Dougherty to partner and Doug Patrican to principal, while also hiring Matt Johnson as a principal. DPI pehub.com named Sofiane Lahmar as new CEO, who has been a senior partner since 2010. Cavu pehub.com promoted Jared Jacobs to managing partner after he joined in 2017. Encore pehub.com promoted Paul Rivenburgh to managing director, who joined in 2016 as an associate.
Strategic Investments & Minority Stakes
Wise Equity pehub.com is investing in vending machine manufacturer FAS International, which closed 2025 with revenues exceeding €58 million and EBITDA margin above 20 percent. Tonka Bay pehub.com backed home services marketing platform Camp Digital, where founder Katie Donovan and COO Meg Stapleton will continue to lead. Bridgepoint pehub.com invested in Gold State Music to support a dedicated investment program focused on building and scaling music-oriented businesses.
Secondaries & Credit Market Developments
Calpers pe-insights.com remains confident in its private credit exposure despite rising AI-driven software risks in the $1.8 trillion market. FS KKR Capital Corporation pe-insights.com reported increased troubled loans and lower fourth-quarter performance. The GP-led credit market is exploring different deal and return opportunities as growth continues, according to Olga Kosters at Antares.
Exits & Portfolio Optimization
EQT pehub.com sold its remaining shares in Azelis for €190 million. IOP pehub.com agreed to sell retail fixtures provider Royston to LSI Industries for $320 million, expected to close in LSI's third quarter of fiscal 2026. Behrman pehub.com sold Waterline Renewal Technologies to New Mountain-based Azuria, whose brands include Perma-Liner and APM.
Industry Trends & Market Analysis
Clearlake's José E. Feliciano pehub.com noted that "doing a buyout of a software business or a take-private of a software business right now is probably a four-letter word" amid AI disruption concerns. Permira pehub.com appointed Giorgio Dinaro as head of Milan, succeeding Francesco Pascalizi. The ability to select assets and ensure alignment with GPs will support the performance of credit GP-led deals, according to industry experts at NEXUS.
Regional & Sector-Specific Activity
Toyota Motor Corp. pe-insights.com is planning to unwind approximately ¥3 trillion in strategic shareholdings held by banks as part of its reform drive. Saudi Arabia's AI boom is drawing buyout interest as Quantum Switch Tamasuk explores strategic options including a potential sale of its Saudi operations. Inflexion's John DiGiovanni pehub.com sees "exciting" AI use cases in healthcare, while Victor Capital's Doug Korn says tariff risk has peaked.
Technology & Innovation Investments
Plaid Inc. pe-insights.com secured an $8 billion valuation in a new funding round designed to provide employee liquidity. Terminus pehub.com invested in fintech firm Eventus, which will increase investment in product innovation and platform capabilities under majority ownership. Content monetization company Stay22 pehub.com raised $122 million from Summit Partners to support global expansion and product innovation.
Operational Enhancements
Insight Equity pehub.com scooped up aerosol products maker IKI, which serves consumer and professional products companies. Trive Capital pehub.com invested in Rolfson Oil, which subsequently acquired Flint Logistics Group, an Oklahoma City-based provider of fuel, oils, and lubricants. Searchlight and Abry pehub.com are taking IoT company Kore private for $726 million at $9.25 per share.