Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Major Takeovers & Investments
BlackRock's GIP pe-insights.com and EQT are in advanced discussions to acquire US power producer AES in a potential $12.4bn deal. Meanwhile, Advent International pe-insights.com is among potential bidders for Senior plc, which has disclosed receiving five takeover offers worth $1.78bn. In the automotive sector, Blackstone pe-insights.com, CVC and Brookfield have submitted preliminary bids valuing Volkswagen's diesel engine unit Everllence at around €8bn ($9.44bn). Elsewhere, Searchlight and Abry pehub.com are taking IoT company Kore private for $726m at $9.25 per share.
Fundraising & Market Expansions
Carlyle Group pe-insights.com has set a $200bn inflow target by 2028 as its turnaround gains traction. Arcmont Asset Management pe-insights.com has secured $1.62bn for its complex European private credit strategy, while La Caisse pe-insights.com has grown to $378bn following a 9.3% return amid private equity headwinds. Apollo Global Management pe-insights.com and BNP Paribas are close to finalizing a partnership to expand European private credit origination.
Personnel Moves
Sverica pehub.com has promoted Michael Dougherty to partner and Doug Patrican to principal, while also hiring Matt Johnson as a principal. At DPI, Sofiane Lahmar pehub.com has been named as the new CEO, having been a senior partner at the firm since 2010. In other leadership changes, Astorg pehub.com mid-cap co-head Edouard Pillot will leave the firm, with Lionel de Posson taking sole control of the team.
Sector-Specific Activity
The hospice care market is seeing increased private equity interest pe-insights.com, with firms like Kinderhook, Renovus and Revelstoke pursuing investments in this sector. Woven Solutions pehub.com, backed by Falfurrias, has acquired government consultancy Valence, while Zenex Animal Health pehub.com has acquired Netherlands-based Vieve Pharm. In the technology space, Plaid pe-insights.com has returned to an $8bn valuation in an employee liquidity funding round.
Industry Trends & Challenges
The NEXUS conference highlighted several trends including the "Goldman handful" phenomenon and concerns about "zombie" portfolio companies pehub.com. Calpers pe-insights.com remains unfazed by AI-driven software risks in the $1.8tn private credit market, while Clearlake's José E. Feliciano pehub.com commented that "buying a software business right now is probably a four-letter word." The secondaries market secondariesinvestor.com is preparing for increased LP selling and a new normal for continuation vehicles in 2026.