Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Secondaries Market Resilience
The secondaries market secondariesinvestor.com is developing a playbook to navigate the next round of macroeconomic uncertainty, drawing on strategies from previous volatile periods. PJT Partners’ Adrian Millan secondariesinvestor.com anticipates 2026 will set another record despite these macro headwinds, as the market takes stock of events that could move pricing. The rise of GP-led deals is reshaping the landscape, with CVs now established secondariesinvestor.com as a legitimate exit route alongside M&A and IPOs. Bridgepoint secondariesinvestor.com is expanding its secondaries platform, expecting to launch a new flagship fund in 2026 as its Newbury team comes on board. Meanwhile, new entrants like Apollo S3 secondariesinvestor.com are unlocking further opportunities, though the firm is likely to grow organically rather than through acquisitions. The compatibility of evergreen funds secondariesinvestor.com with GP-led deals is also under scrutiny as this vehicle gains popularity.
New Firms & Leadership Moves
Synergy Sports Capital pehub.com debuted as a new private equity firm targeting the lower middle market. GCM Grosvenor pehub.com provided backing for the launch of another new firm, Torch Key, which will focus on food and beverage and industrial products. Maven pehub.com announced a planned leadership succession as part of a long-term strategy. Oakley Capital pehub.com promoted four managing directors to partner, including Alessandro Celli and Konstantin Synetos, strengthening its investment team.
Lower Mid-Market Focus
Abry Partners CEO CJ Brucato pehub.com sees the lower mid-market as a particular haven, citing normalizing aircraft build rates that bolster interest in aerospace suppliers. Several firms are actively deploying capital in this segment. Tributary Group pehub.com invested in regulatory software company Softworks Group, with founder Tim Edlund remaining as CEO. Trinity Hunt pehub.com backed Berger Consulting Group, which serves over 100 law firm clients. Trive pehub.com invested in women’s apparel firm Adrianna Papell, with existing management continuing to lead.
Sector-Specific Deals & Consolidation
Aerospace and defense privateequityinternational.com supply chains are attracting attention, with Europe’s potential €14 trillion defense spend over a decade driving interest. West Star Aviation pehub.com, backed by Greenbriar, acquired aircraft maintenance firm DCJet. Aeromed pehub.com, an aerospace and defense supply chain firm, secured investment from Gemspring to fund recent add-ons. Waterland pehub.com acquired Cooper Turner Beck, a provider of safety-critical fastener services for energy and construction. In healthcare, Esperion pehub.com, PE