Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: March 27, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Sector Deployment & Exits

Advent Capital is actively deploying capital across diverse sectors, announcing plans to invest in engineering and consulting firm Atwell, expecting the transaction to conclude in the second quarter of 2026. Concurrently, Advent is moving to deploy up to $1 billion into defense technology, with a portion earmarked to finance Shield AI’s pending acquisition of Sagewind Capital portfolio company Aechelon Technology Inc.. The firm is also expanding its beauty interests by agreeing to acquire a majority stake in Salt & Stone for $165 million, while simultaneously planning a full exit from its investment in hair care brand Olaplex to Henkel for $1.4 billion, pending Nasdaq delisting. Elsewhere in exits, an investor group led by Astorg and Nordic Capital finalized the $8.9 billion sale of clinical trial data firm Clario to Thermo Fisher, and HIG Capital is selling a Brazilian internet service provider to Claro for approximately $750 million.

Healthcare & Life Sciences Transactions

Dealmaking in healthcare remains a focal point, with pathology assets attracting significant private equity interest from firms including Astorg, Cinven, and Nordic Capital. This push into specialized medical services mirrors a broader trend in women’s health, where experts cite a potential “$1 trillion gap” ripe for investment, further evidenced by Blackstone and TPG’s pending $18.3 billion take-private of Hologic. Further consolidation occurred in eye care, as Olympus Partners-backed EyeSouth acquired Aslett-Kurica Eye Center, while GPI-backed Hopper OS purchased healthcare data firm Efferent to expand its intelligent operating system capabilities. In consumer health, LDC completed its exit from PAM Healthcare to Optima Healthcare, aligning with trends favoring GLP-1 products and preventative care offerings.

Technology & Infrastructure M&A

The technology sector saw major corporate action, with SAP planning to acquire New View Capital-backed Reltio, expecting closure in the second or third quarter of 2026, while Clearlake Capital is acquiring power grid services provider Qualus from New Mountain, a deal that provides a handsome payout for KKR’s exit from CoolIT. In infrastructure, Clearlake Capital is with the purchase of power and electric services grid Qualus from New Mountain Capital. Meanwhile, Audax and Greenbriar co-investors sold airport services firm AGI to Lone Star, following their initial joint investment in June 2021. In the digital space, Etna Capital snapped up software developer Code Road, and FPE-backed Point74 acquired compliance platform Quor to build a unified UK food software platform.

Specialized Investment Strategies and Exits

Firms are utilizing specialized vehicles and sector focus to drive value. TowerBrook completed a continuation fund for business consulting firm Eisner Amper, with Carlyle Alp Invest leading the transaction alongside Hamilton Lane as co-lead. In the IoT space, Alterra backed General Atlantic’s investment in Wireless Logic, as this activity continues to draw Middle Eastern capital, with Alterra also supporting General Atlantic and Montagu in the same deal. Additionally, TowerBrook is capitalizing on sports apparel personalization by acquiring French platform ID Unlimited, which supplies logos and patches to global sports brands, while Viking Growth exited its stake in workforce management software provider Tamigo to Accel-KKR.

Geographic Focus and Fundraising Trends

Middle Eastern capital remains a key driver, though geopolitical tensions are shifting focus; Blackstone committed $250 million to a UAE payments platform as part of a $1 billion regional bet. Concurrently, managers doubling down on the Middle East and catering to LPs’ needs stand a better chance of success in the region’s fundraising oasis, even as Gulf sovereign wealth funds, totaling $5.4 trillion, have recently been turning capital inwards due to the Iran conflict accelerating a regional rebalancing. In Europe, Bain secured a $300 million loan to finance its acquisition of an Australian wealth management firm, while the European Investment Fund launched a substantial €15 billion fund of funds aimed at backing 100 growth-stage venture capital firms.

AI Integration and Early Stage Dynamics

The integration of artificial intelligence is reshaping both M&A and venture capital sourcing. OpenAI has completed nearly as many M&A deals in 2026 as it did in the entirety of last year, using acquisitions to bolster its offerings against rivals. Meanwhile, the increasing role of AI in investor relations is noted in side letters, alongside the friction GPs face in the fund finance process. In the startup ecosystem, Austin’s venture funding reached an all-time high, though seed funding is becoming more competitive, with only rounds of $10 million and above showing growth in 2025. Elsewhere, Kleiner Perkins closed $3.5 billion across new AI-focused funds, including $1 billion for early-stage KP22.

Advisory Moves and Niche Investments

The advisory and secondary markets continue to see personnel shifts, with Jefferies hiring senior GP-led talent from Lazard as firms jockey for competitive positioning. Sector specialists are also making strategic moves, as demonstrated by healthcare-focused Linden mulling a secondaries strategy, joining other buyout firms entering that market. In niche plays, Bonaccord made a minority investment to support Prime Finance’s balance sheet expansion in commercial real estate credit, and WPCG and HGGC are jointly investing in RIA Verdence, with Emigrant Partners selling its stake. Finally, Bow River plans to acquire VC firm Spur Capital, with the transaction slated for the second quarter of 2026.