Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Fundraising & Investment Activity
EQT pe-insights.com, Eurazeo, and Atomico have been shortlisted to manage the European Union's planned €5bn technology investment fund. Meanwhile, Blackstone pe-insights.com and Ares Management have deployed $5bn in private credit financing for a Thoma Bravo logistics deal. The private equity industry is also seeing increased focus on DPI metrics, with the mantra "DPI is the new IRR" gaining traction across the sector as limited partners and general partners navigate unique market circumstances.
Strategic Investments & Portfolio Companies
Littlejohn pehub.com has invested in power infrastructure consulting firm GDS Associates, while Serent pehub.com has backed health tech firm Saisystems to accelerate its technology roadmap. Goldman Sachs pehub.com has also invested in cybersecurity compliance firm Schellman, where Lightyear will remain a significant shareholder. In the aviation sector, Vista pehub.com has made a new investment in aviation software provider Portside, with current investor Insight Partners maintaining a significant stake.
Add-on Acquisitions & Platform Expansion
Wynnchurch-backed pehub.com ORS Nasco has acquired industrial wholesalers AD Member Supply and Alliance, expanding its MRO product distribution capabilities. Greenbelt-backed pehub.com Saber Power has purchased Bounds Construction, strengthening its electrical power system services portfolio. Littlejohn-backed pehub.com Ardurra has acquired Remington & Vernick Engineers, enhancing its engineering and design services offerings. Astorg's pehub.com portfolio company Solabia has completed three complementary acquisitions, marking its first add-on deals since Astorg's October 2025 investment.
Exits & Portfolio Sales
Mutares pe-insights.com has agreed to sell its €100m logistics platform in Time Group to Tawin Holdings, while also planning to exit Peugeot Motocycles pe-insights.com through a management buyout. BlackPeak pehub.com has sold its stake in eu Shipments.com to Austrian Post, the e-commerce logistics provider serving over 1,300 online retailers across Europe.
New Fund Launches & Industry Trends
A new private equity firm, Synergy Sports Capital pehub.com, has debuted with a focus on the lower middle market. The firm joins other emerging managers as the industry continues to evolve. Meanwhile, discussions at industry conferences highlight growing interest in GP-led secondaries deals and evergreen funds, with debates about their compatibility and impact on LP-GP relationships intensifying.
Sector-Specific Activity
The pharmaceutical ingredients sector has attracted significant attention from major players including Astorg pehub.com, EQT, TA Associates, and New Mountain Capital. In aerospace and defense, Bridgepoint privateequityinternational.com is considering options for a dedicated defense investing strategy as Europe prepares to spend up to €14trn on defense and related infrastructure over the next decade. The gaming certification sector saw Visualize Group pehub.com acquire BMM Testlabs, which serves gaming product suppliers, operators, and regulators across six continents.
Market Outlook & Secondary Markets
Industry experts predict 2026 could set another fundraising record despite macroeconomic uncertainty, according to PJT Partners secondariesinvestor.com' Adrian Millan. The secondary markets are preparing for another round of uncertainty, with investors relying on playbooks from previous volatile periods. As the market braces for potential pricing movements, discussions continue about the future of GP selection, AI's impact on executive roles, and the evolving dynamics between limited and general partners.