Private Equity 3d Briefing
×Last updated: March 25, 2026, 11:30 PM ET
Mega-Deals & Portfolio Activity
Private equity dealmaking showed pe-insights.com continued activity across defensive sectors and technology, with major firms executing large transactions and strategic minority sales. Brookfield, in partnership with La Caisse, agreed to acquire Canadian renewable energy firm Boralex in a take-private transaction valued at $9.7 billion, aiming to scale renewable growth initiatives. Elsewhere, Tower Brook finalized a continuation fund for the business consulting firm Eisner Amper, a deal led by Carlyle Alp Invest and featuring co-lead participation from Hamilton Lane 2. In the healthcare space, an investor group including Astorg, Novo Holdings, and Cinven completed the $8.9 billion sale of clinical trial data firm Clario to Thermo Fisher 23.
Sector-Specific Acquisitions & Exits
Firms continued to target specialized services, defense technology, and pe-insights.com consumer brands. Advent is preparing to deploy up to $1 billion into defense technology assets, while Chimney Rock Equity successfully purchased United Electronics Company (UEC), driven by "insatiable" demand for maintaining radar systems across various vehicle fleets. In beauty, Advent expanded its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in skincare brand Salt & Stone for $165 million. Meanwhile, Tower Brook also made a sports-related purchase, acquiring French apparel personalization platform ID Unlimited 35. Exits saw Francisco Partners agreeing to sell music publisher Kobalt to Brookfield-backed Primary Wave 81, and Industrial Opportunity Partners divesting retail fixtures provider Royston for $325 million.
Infrastructure, Energy, and Real Estate Moves
Infrastructure and energy assets pe-insights.com drew significant capital commitment over the past three days. Ares Management committed at least €1 billion toward Eni’s subsidiary Plenitude as part of a broader €13.1 billion valuation deal involving a €1.5 billion capital increase. In the Gulf region, private equity and infrastructure funds expressed sustained interest in a targeted $7 billion pipeline deal in Kuwait. On the real estate front, Blackstone is seeking to offload approximately €100 million worth of Parisian apartments as part of its strategy following a larger €700 million acquisition in the city. Furthermore, Hull Street moved to acquire two power plants from Rockland, including a natural gas turbine facility in Illinois and a dual-fuel station in Ohio.
Fundraising and Capital Deployment by Growth & VC Specialists
The fundraising pe-insights.com environment remains active, particularly for growth equity and specialized technology mandates, though some LPs showed caution in specific geographic areas. Lead Edge Capital successfully secured $3.5 billion for its seventh fund, which remains focused on software investments. On the European side, EIF launched a substantial €15 billion fund-of-funds initiative intended to back 100 growth-stage venture capital firms. Separately, Pictet Alternative Advisors closed its initial direct private equity strategy at €403 million ($440 , targeting founder-led businesses. Conversely, reports indicated that Limited Partners are actively slashing their budgets allocated to Africa as risk appetites dwindle, while there is ongoing speculation regarding the potential extinction of evergreen fund structures.
AI, Tech, and Specialty Software Investments
Technology acquisitions spanned enterprise software, digital engineering, and pehub.com AI applications, confirming sustained private equity appetite for digital transformation plays. Clearlake reached an agreement to acquire power and electric services grid operator Qualus from New Mountain Capital 4. In enterprise software, Gryphon-backed Rootstock acquired ERP provider Ascent Solutions 94, while Diversis scooped up fintech firm LTi. AI startups continued to command high valuations, with generative AI notetaking company Granola achieving unicorn status following a $125 million Series C round. Meanwhile, TPG and Allianz jointly led a $350 million strategic investment into CMT to scale its AI-driven mobility platform.
Strategic Partnerships and Vertical Integration
Firms are increasingly making pehub.com strategic partnerships or specialized acquisitions to build vertical capabilities, particularly in wellness and defense. Bansk Group agreed to acquire wellness shots manufacturer So Good So You, with the co-founders retaining board seats. In the beauty sector, Semcap launched a dedicated beauty and wellness arm in collaboration with industry expert Vasiliki Petrou’s Veralis Group 10. On the defense technology front, Advent is seeking to deploy capital into the sector, and Arlington Capital announced its intent to purchase defense specialist Eptec Defence 77.
Secondaries Market Dynamics & Talent Moves
The secondary advisory space secondariesinvestor.com saw significant lateral movement as firms positioned for competitive advantage in liquidity transactions. Jefferies recruited senior GP-led talent from Lazard amid continued activity in the secondary market. This focus on liquidity is evident as the University of California system initiated the process to sell a $3 billion LP portfolio to gain market liquidity. Furthermore, the acquisition of secondaries capabilities firm Mercer by Altamar CAM signals a prioritization of liquidity solutions for LPs. In personnel news, ECI appointed David Danon, formerly of Bain Capital’s private equity team, as a new partner.
Venture Capital & Early-Stage Funding
Early-stage funding remained focused on news.crunchbase.com deep technology, climate solutions, and specialized software, although overall U.S. startup funding slowed in March due to fewer massive AI rounds. Kleiner Perkins successfully closed its latest fundraising effort, securing $3.5 billion split between its early-stage fund (KP22 at $1 and its growth-stage allocation ($2.5 45. In climate tech, Arinna raised a $4 million seed round to develop ultrathin, highly efficient solar cells specifically for spacecraft, while Swiss spacetech firm Pave Space raised $40 million in seed funding amid rising concerns over space sovereignty. In enterprise software, construction tech startup Trayd secured $10 million in Series A funding, marking a renewed commitment from YC following a pivot.
AI Valuation and Partnership Offers
The high-stakes race for AI pe-insights.com dominance is manifesting in unique partnership structures designed to draw in private equity capital. OpenAI is reportedly offering private equity firms a guaranteed minimum return of 17.5% to attract investment into its joint venture initiatives. This push comes as the firm has already executed 17 M&A deals over the last three years to bolster its offerings. Meanwhile, AI inference bottleneck startup Gimlet Labs raised an $80 million Series A round to support its technology that enables AI to run simultaneously across multiple chip architectures, including NVIDIA and AMD.
Specialized Vertical Expansion
Several smaller firms are techcrunch.com expanding their focus or launching new verticals to capture niche market opportunities. BKR Capital announced that its Fund II has secured $20 million Canadian toward its $50 million target, continuing its mandate to invest in Black founders. In the GLP-1 drug market, VITL secured $7.5 million to enhance its e-prescribing marketplace serving the growing cash-pay clinic segment. Additionally, Southfield announced an investment in recruitment firm Metric Search, which services specialized sectors like medtech life sciences and data centers.