Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Fundraising & Investment Activity
EQT pe-insights.com, Eurazeo and Atomico have been shortlisted to manage a €5.8 billion EU deep-tech fund. The European Commission is narrowing down candidates for this flagship initiative aimed at scaling breakthrough technologies across the continent. Meanwhile, Hamilton Lane pe-insights.com and Ardian have backed Latour's first continuation fund for Gutor, marking a growing trend in secondaries transactions. Carlyle secondariesinvestor.com is seeking to raise $60 billion as part of a broader fundraising supercycle, targeting ambitious capital inflows by 2028.
Deals & Exits
Thoma Bravo pehub.com has agreed to acquire logistics firm WWEX Group in a deal that includes sellers like CVC Capital Partners and Providence Equity Partners. Lone Star pehub.com completed the sale of SPX Flow to ITT for over $4.7 billion, representing a successful exit from its 2022 take-private transaction. American Securities pehub.com is selling manufacturers CPM Holdings and MW Components to Rosebank Industries, while Blackstone pehub.com has proposed a $2.5 billion investment in a potential $4 billion New World Development transaction.
Portfolio Company Moves
Astorg pehub.com portfolio company Solabia has acquired three complementary businesses in its first add-on transactions since the October 2025 investment. Waterland Private Equity pe-insights.com has acquired a majority stake in Palletways, backing one of Europe's largest pallet distribution platforms. TDR Capital-backed pehub.com David Lloyd Leisure is expanding through the acquisition of Aspria, a high-end operator of upscale member clubs across Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain.
Secondaries Market
Bridgepoint secondariesinvestor.com is eyeing further secondaries growth as its Newbury team comes on board, with both Bridgepoint and Bridgepoint Newbury expected to launch flagship secondaries funds in 2026. Ares Management pe-insights.com has closed an $850 million continuation fund for Convergint Technologies amid a record $240 billion secondaries wave. New Mountain's secondariesinvestor.com Costello notes that acceptance of continuation vehicles means the time is right for new PE entrants.
Tech & AI Investments
Quantum scaleup sifted.eu Pasqal is targeting a public listing at a $2 billion valuation, highlighting growing investor interest in quantum computing. Nvidia-backed pe-insights.com Ayar Labs has raised $500 million at a $3.75 billion valuation, with Neuberger Berman leading the Series E round. Eight Sleep news.crunchbase.com raised $50 million at a $1.5 billion valuation to expand into predictive, AI-driven health solutions.
Emerging Managers & New Firms
Torch Key pehub.com, a new PE firm backed by GCM Grosvenor, is focusing on food and beverage and industrial products and services sectors. Searchlight Capital Partners-backed pe-insights.com Roots Corp. has launched a strategic review that could lead to a sale. Kyip Capital pehub.com has invested in Chiron to develop an outpatient diagnostics platform, expanding industrial healthcare services.
Industry Insights & Conferences
At PEI's NEXUS conference, Moelis & Co's secondariesinvestor.com Hammer discussed how continuation vehicles are becoming established as an exit route alongside M&A and IPO. Lincoln's pehub.com Chris Brooks noted that private equity is adapting its tech playbook as AI disrupts the buy-and-build model. Clearlake's pehub.com José E. Feliciano addressed AI disruption, while H&F's Patrick Healy discussed long hold periods at the same event.
Geographic Expansion
Charterhouse Capital Partners pe-insights.com has raised approximately €1 billion at the first close of its latest flagship European mid-market fund. Bain Capital pe-insights.com has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Swedish distributor Tingstad through its European Private Equity platform. Waterland pehub.com has scooped up Cooper Turner Beck, a provider of safety-critical fastener services based in the UK.
Corporate Venture & Strategic Investments
AllianzGI pe-insights.com and Total Energies have committed $550 million to a German battery storage portfolio, acquiring a 50% stake in 11 assets. Capital Group pe-insights.com and KKR have expanded their public-private investment partnership with the launch of their first equity strategy. JC Flowers pehub.com has committed up to $200 million to back Accelerated Wealth Partners in its mission to acquire and scale registered investment advisors.
Leadership & Strategy
Carlyle's pehub.com Steve Wise says the market is open for bigger, higher-quality businesses, while Cutting Edge's pehub.com Tim Hegarty emphasizes that consumer data and studio alignment are key in music deal sourcing. BC Partners' pehub.com Nikos Stathopoulos identifies tariffs as the number one risk factor in investment thesis. Maven pehub.com has announced planned leadership succession as part of a strategic succession strategy.
Sector-Specific Activity
In the aerospace and defense sector, Greenbriar-backed pehub.com West Star Aviation has acquired aircraft maintenance firm DCJet, while Aeromed pehub.com has secured investment from Gemspring following recent acquisitions. Pike Street-backed pehub.com US Bio Tek has merged with Nutri Path Pathology, combining advanced immunological and integrative diagnostics capabilities. Kohlberg-backed pehub.com Riveron has invested in AI and data tech firm Cuesta Partners.
Family Office & Alternative Capital
Coller Capital pe-insights.com has partnered with Mediobanca to expand evergreen secondaries access in Italy. Ex-Coller CEO pe-insights.com Sara Macedo has joined Emissary Partners as managing director, reflecting expansion in the $5 trillion family office market. Warburg Pincus pe-insights.com is targeting an $8 billion egg empire with up to $1 billion investment in Global Eggs.