Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Major Fundraisings & Valuations
Blackstone pe-insights.com has joined a consortium that tabled a non-binding cash offer for UK aerospace supplier Senior valued at £1.5 billion. Neuberger Berman pe-insights.com led a $500 million Series E investment in Ayar Labs at a $3.75 billion valuation, with Nvidia backing the optical interconnect technology developer. Carlyle secondariesinvestor.com is targeting over $200 billion in capital inflows by 2028, including a $60 billion raise for its private equity platform as part of an ambitious fundraising supercycle.
Acquisitions & Take-Privates
Thoma Bravo pehub.com agreed to acquire logistics technology provider WWEX Group from sellers including CVC Capital Partners, Providence Equity Partners, Ridgemont Equity Partners and PSG. Lone Star pehub.com completed its sale of SPX Flow to ITT for over $4.7 billion, marking the Texas-based firm's exit from the industrial technology company it acquired in 2022. American Securities pehub.com is selling manufacturers CPM Holdings and MW Components to Rosebank Industries, with the transaction expected to close in Q2 2026.
Strategic Investments
TPG pehub.com invested $250 million in social care technology platform Findhelp, building on its Rise Funds' mission to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Jacmel pehub.com backed VTG's acquisition of Vector Tech Group, expanding the Michigan-based IT and cloud services provider's capabilities. JC Flowers pehub.com committed up to $200 million to support Accelerated Wealth Partners' mission to acquire and scale registered investment advisors.
Portfolio Company Moves
360training.com pehub.com, backed by private equity, acquired select assets of Canadian Food Safety Group, a Calgary-based provider of online food handler certification and training programs. Decks & Docks pehub.com, supported by CCMP Growth, picked up Pro Deck Supply to expand its specialty distribution of composite decking and outdoor living products. Meritus Gas pehub.com, an AEA Investors portfolio company, acquired Greens Welding Supply through its subsidiary.
Exits & Secondary Transactions
Ares Management pe-insights.com closed an $850 million continuation fund to hold Convergint Technologies amid a record $240 billion secondaries wave. BCP pehub.com sold United Utility Services to Sandbrook, supporting utilities, cooperatives and municipalities through the full asset lifecycle. Boyne Capital pehub.com exited McKee Utility Contractors to Mastec Inc, having recapitalized the company in December 2022.
Fundraising & Strategy
Charterhouse Capital Partners pe-insights.com raised approximately €1 billion at the first close of its latest flagship European mid-market fund. Capital Group and KKR pe-insights.com expanded their public-private investment partnership with the launch of their first equity strategy. Danske Bank Asset Management pe-insights.com expanded its alternative investments mandate with Danish Industry to nearly $245 million.
Industry Developments
Private equity firms are adapting their tech playbook as AI disrupts the traditional buy-and-build model, according to Lincoln International's Chris Brooks. Operational improvements at portfolio companies will be the defining factor in private equity winners and losers, says Brookfield's David Nowak. The acceptance of continuation vehicles as an exit route alongside M&A and IPOs is gaining traction, notes Moelis & Co managing director Jeff Hammer.
Regional Expansion
Aurelius pehub.com opened three new offices in Amsterdam, Milan and Zurich to target substantial potential within the local SME sector. Warburg Pincus pe-insights.com is preparing to invest up to $1 billion in Global Eggs, targeting an $8 billion egg empire. Bain Capital pe-insights.com agreed to acquire a majority stake in Swedish distributor Tingstad through its European Private Equity platform.
Leadership & Strategy
ArcLight pehub.com named Gary Lambert, former Competitive Power Ventures CEO, as senior advisor. Littlejohn pehub.com appointed Shant Mardirossian as managing director and COO to work closely with managing partners across finance, legal, operations and investor relations. Oakley Capital pehub.com made a series of promotions including four new partners within its investment team.
Defense & Infrastructure
Iran war underscores the 'urgency' for Europe to build its defense capabilities, according to venture capitalists. Saab is opening up to defense tech startups as the Swedish aerospace and defense company seeks to expand its innovation ecosystem. Equipment finance is emerging as a key enabler for European startups, providing crucial capital for growth and expansion.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
PE-backed Esperion pehub.com agreed to acquire biopharma firm Corstasis for $75 million upfront, with up to an additional $180 million in milestone payments. Kyip Capital pehub.com invested in Chiron Group to develop an outpatient diagnostics platform aggregating diagnostic, surgery and rehabilitation services nationwide. CVC and Hartenberg-backed FutureLife pehub.com will acquire Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, expanding its UK fertility clinic operations.
Technology & AI
AI is fundamentally disrupting private equity's buy-and-build model, forcing firms to adapt their technology playbook. Massive AI deals drove a record $189 billion in startup funding in February, though 83% of capital raised went to just three companies. Investors are becoming more selective about AI Saa S companies, with four-year funding gaps becoming a top concern as the boom-era software companies face pressure to raise again.
Real Estate & Hospitality
TDR Capital-backed David Lloyd Leisure pehub.com acquired Aspria, a high-end operator of 10 upscale member clubs across Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Resurgens pehub.com backed vacation rental operations platform Breezeway with investment positioning the company to broaden its product platform and deepen AI capabilities. Waterland pehub.com acquired Cooper Turner Beck Group, a provider of safety-critical fastener services for the energy, construction and heavy industries.
Manufacturing & Industrial
CCMP Growth-backed Decks & Docks expanded through acquisition of Pro Deck Supply in the specialty building products distribution space. Trilogy Capital-backed SSRG pehub.com acquired Elite Residential Concierge, expanding the Calgary-based security and risk management business. Gemspring pehub.com expanded its investment in construction tech firm Sitemetric to support product innovation, geographic expansion and service capabilities scaling.