Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Market Activity & Deal Flow
Littlejohn pehub.com has invested in power infrastructure consulting firm GDS Associates, with president David Brian continuing to lead the company. Meanwhile, Synergy Sports Capital pehub.com has debuted as a new private equity firm focused on the lower middle market. In aerospace, William Blair pehub.com notes that normalizing aircraft build rates are bolstering interest in aerospace suppliers, while Abry Partners CEO CJ Brucato outlines why the lower mid-market is particularly attractive. Tributary Group pehub.com has invested in regulatory software company Softworks Group, with founder and CEO Tim Edlund continuing to lead the business. Trinity Hunt pehub.com has invested in Berger Consulting Group, which serves over 100 law firm clients.
Tech & Software Deals
Vista pehub.com has made a new investment in aviation software provider Portside, where existing investor Insight Partners will remain a significant shareholder. Littlejohn-backed pehub.com Ardurra has snapped up Remington & Vernick Engineers, expanding its complex engineering, consulting, and design services. Kohlberg-backed pehub.com Riveron has invested in AI and data tech firm Cuesta Partners, with HIG Capital holding a minority stake. Pike Street-backed pehub.com US Bio Tek has merged with Nutri Path Pathology, combining their diagnostic capabilities. Jacmel-backed pehub.com VTG has snapped up Vector Tech Group, expanding its IT, security, and cloud services offerings.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
PE-backed pehub.com Esperion is acquiring biopharma firm Corstasis for $75 million upfront, with shareholders eligible for up to an additional $180 million in milestone payments. Kyip Capital pehub.com has invested in Chiron to develop an outpatient diagnostics platform, focusing on diagnostic, surgery, and rehabilitation services. Fulcrum Capital Partners pehub.com has invested in the growth of Glass Masters Autoglass, led by president and CEO Roger Tulk.
Consumer & Retail
Trive pehub.com has invested in women's apparel firm Adrianna Papell, with the company's existing management team continuing to lead the business. Braemont-backed pehub.com Royal Cup is taking Farmer Brothers Coffee private, combining two US-based coffee and tea makers. TDR Capital-backed pehub.com David Lloyd Leisure has picked up Aspria, a high-end operator of 10 upscale member clubs across Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Spain. Waterland pehub.com has scooped up Cooper Turner Beck, a provider of safety-critical fastener services.
Industrial & Manufacturing
Greenbriar-backed pehub.com West Star Aviation has snapped up aircraft maintenance firm DCJet, expanding its MRO services for business aviation. Aeromed pehub.com has secured investment from Gemspring, supporting its recent acquisitions of HITEK Electronic Materials Ltd., Norca Tec LLC, and Kit Pack Company, Inc. Main Capital pe-insights.com has taken a majority stake in Swedish manufacturing software platform Good Solutions, expanding its portfolio.
Secondaries & Continuation Vehicles
Ares pe-insights.com has deployed an $850 million continuation strategy amid a record $240 billion secondaries wave, closing a continuation fund to hold Convergint Technologies. Hamilton Lane and Ardian pe-insights.com have backed Latour's first continuation fund for Gutor. Carlyle secondariesinvestor.com is seeking to raise $60 billion as part of a fundraising supercycle, targeting $200 billion-plus of capital inflows by 2028. Bridgepoint secondariesinvestor.com is eyeing further secondaries growth as its Newbury team comes on board, with both Bridgepoint and Bridgepoint Newbury expecting to launch the next flagship secondaries fund in 2026.
Fundraising & New Platforms
Charterhouse pe-insights.com has secured a $1.1 billion first close for its new European mid-market fund, raising approximately €1 billion. GCM Grosvenor pehub.com has backed the launch of new PE firm Torch Key, focused on food and beverage and industrial products and services. JC Flowers pehub.com has committed up to $200 million to back Accelerated Wealth Partners, funding its mission to acquire and scale registered investment advisors.
Exits & Strategic Sales
Peak Rock pehub.com is selling Spatial Business Systems to Blackstone-backed Enverus, an energy data analytics platform. Thoma Bravo pehub.com is acquiring logistics firm WWEX Group from sellers including CVC Capital Partners, Providence Equity Partners, Ridgemont Equity Partners, and PSG. American Securities pehub.com is selling manufacturers CPM Holdings and MW Components to Rosebank Industries, with the transaction expected to close in Q2 2026.
Emerging Trends & Market Outlook
As the secondaries market braces for macroeconomic uncertainty, PJT Partners secondariesinvestor.com Adrian Millan sees 2026 setting another record despite macro headwinds. Apollo S3 secondariesinvestor.com is open to acquisitions but likely to continue building its secondaries platform via organic growth. The GP-led market is going from strength to strength, with Moelis secondariesinvestor.com noting that CVs are now established as an exit route alongside M&A and IPO. However, New Mountain secondariesinvestor.com emphasizes that acceptance of CVs means time is right for PE entrants, while Lincoln's Chris Brooks pehub.com notes that private equity is adapting its tech playbook as AI disrupts the buy-and-build model.