Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Major Fundraisings & Capital Markets
Capital Group pe-insights.com and KKR expanded their public-private investment partnership with the launch of Capital Group KKR U.S. Eq... The firms are deepening collaboration between public and private market strategies. Meanwhile, Carlyle secondariesinvestor.com is seeking to raise $60bn as part of a broader fundraising supercycle, with targets set for $200 billion-plus of capital inflows by 2028. Charterhouse pe-insights.com secured a €1bn first close for its new European mid-market fund, while HgT pe-insights.com deployed approximately $62m into new co-investments in One Stream and Septeo. Danske Bank pe-insights.com scaled its alternatives mandate to $245m with Danish Industry, expanding its alternative investments portfolio.
Strategic Moves & Leadership Changes
ArcLight pehub.com named Gary Power as senior advisor, bringing in the former Competitive Power Ventures CEO. Oakley Capital pehub.com made a series of promotions including four new partners across its investment team. Littlejohn pehub.com tapped Shant Mardirossian as managing director and COO, creating a new leadership role. Aurelius pehub.com opened three new offices in Amsterdam, Milan and Zurich to target substantial potential within local SME sectors.
Exits & Portfolio Activity
Lone Star pehub.com completed the sale of SPX Flow to ITT for over $4.7bn, following its 2022 take-private acquisition. American Securities pehub.com is selling manufacturers CPM Holdings and MW Components to Rosebank Industries, with the transaction expected to close in Q2 2026. Arlington Capital pehub.com sold aerospace parts maker FSG to JF Lehman, while Boyne Capital pehub.com sold McKee Utility Contractors to Mastec Inc after recapitalizing the business in December 2022. BCP pehub.com sold United Utility Services to Sandbrook, and BCI pehub.com, Norges Bank and Brookfield launched Northview Energy as an equally funded and owned venture.
AI & Technology Sector Developments
TPG pehub.com invested $250m in social care tech platform Findhelp, building on TPG's Rise Funds' mission to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Accel-KKR pehub.com invested in fleet maintenance software firm Whip Around, where Noah Hickey serves as CEO. Gryphon Investors pehub.com backed HR tech firm HRSoft, with existing backer Bow River Capital retaining a minority stake. CCMP Growth pehub.com-backed Decks & Docks picked up Pro Deck Supply, expanding its specialty distribution business. Gemspring pehub.com expanded investment in construction tech firm Sitemetric to support product innovation and geographic expansion.
Secondaries & Continuation Strategies
Ares pe-insights.com deployed an $850m continuation strategy amid a record $240bn secondaries wave, holding Convergint Technologies through a newly closed fund. Coller Capital pe-insights.com partnered with Mediobanca to expand evergreen secondaries access in Italy through a new distribution partnership. The secondaries market saw record activity with investors actively pursuing continuation vehicles and evergreen structures.
Regional & Industry-Specific Activity
TDR Capital-backed pehub.com David Lloyd Leisure picked up Aspria, a high-end operator of 10 upscale member clubs across Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Waterland pehub.com scooped up Cooper Turner Beck, a provider of safety-critical fastener services for energy, construction, and heavy industries. Bain Capital pe-insights.com took a majority stake in Swedish distributor Tingstad through its European Private Equity platform. CVC pehub.com, Hartenberg-backed Future Life acquired Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, expanding its UK presence to three centres.
Emerging Trends & Market Sentiment
Moelis & Co managing director Jeff Hammer secondariesinvestor.com noted that CVs have become established as exit routes alongside M&A and IPO, with secondaries buyers' specialisation aiding GPs' interest in considering CVs. New Mountain's Neal Costello secondariesinvestor.com discussed how acceptance of CVs makes this an opportune time for PE entrants. Lincoln's Chris Brooks pehub.com highlighted how private equity is adapting its tech playbook as AI disrupts traditional buy-and-build models. Brookfield's David Nowak pehub.com emphasized that operational improvements at portfolio companies will be the defining factor in separating PE winners and losers.
Venture Capital & Startup Funding
The venture capital landscape saw massive activity with Crunchbase data news.crunchbase.com showing global venture investment totaled $189 billion in February - the largest startup funding month on record - though 83% of capital raised went to just three companies. Flink sifted.eu, a speedy grocery startup, raised $100m at a $900m valuation. Ivee sifted.eu, an AI upskilling platform, raised a $1m seed round backed by Steven Bartlett. Cami Tellez techcrunch.com announced a new creator economy marketing platform with $4 million in funding.
Cross-Border & Infrastructure Deals
Orion pehub.com, CGF and Exiro partnered in a $200m investment in Manitoba's Thompson Mine Complex, forming Exiro Nickel Company to invest alongside Vale. Parade's Cami Tellez launched a new creator economy marketing platform with $4 million in funding. The infrastructure sector continues to see significant cross-border activity as firms seek strategic assets globally.
Market Analysis & Industry Conferences
Insights from PEI Group's NEXUS 2026 conference pehub.com highlighted key themes including AI disruption, long hold periods, and the search for genuine alpha versus "alpha imposters." Hellman & Friedman's Patrick Healy pehub.com noted that "reality is rarely defeated" and emphasized the variety of tools available to return capital. Alvarez & Marsal pehub.com pointed to tariff uncertainty as complicating valuations across the industry.