Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: April 12, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Private Equity Fundraising & Credit Markets

Blackstone's opportunistic credit fund secured $10 billion in commitments, capitalizing on sustained investor appetite for deploying capital across private markets, while the credit secondaries space continues to mature. Arcmont, led by Ares, is actively engaging in the burgeoning credit secondaries market, with CEO Anthony Fobel noting the "enormous benefit" of this segment and expressing openness to dealing with traditional private debt rivals. This activity provides a backdrop for major institutions like China’s Ping An Insurance, which is exploring its sixth attempt to offload a portfolio valued near $1 billion via a secondaries process, illustrating the ongoing need for liquidity among large asset owners.

Sector-Specific Transactions and Investments

Firms continued making strategic acquisitions across diverse sectors, with Sterling acquiring Healthcare Linen Services Group from seller York Private Equity, underscoring movement within healthcare support services. Simultaneously, the personal care sector saw several notable investments, as Advent, Round Table, and Gemspring gain traction in brands focusing on consumer relationships, while Blackstone and TPG concluded the take-private of Hologic, a Massachusetts-based women’s medtech developer, emphasizing PE interest in underinvested areas like women’s health. Elsewhere, portfolio company activity continued, with Granite Creek-backed Salem One purchasing SmashBrand, a North Carolina-based brand development agency, reflecting add-on strategies in direct marketing.

Technology Valuations and Infrastructure

Venture capital activity remains concentrated in high-value technology rounds, exemplified by Nvidia-backed SiFive achieving a $3.65 billion valuation following a $400 million funding round, driven by interest in its RISC-V based open AI chip designs rather than traditional x86 or ARM architectures. This substantial semiconductor raise led the week’s funding activity, though no single deal breached the billion-dollar threshold. In infrastructure, Blackstone took a minority stake in Rowan Digital Infrastructure, which is currently backed by Quinbrook, signaling continued private equity focus on digital assets. In parallel, European venture activity saw its highest number of $1 billion startups minted in four years, while overall global fintech funding in Q1 2026 totaled $12 billion across 751 deals, a 5% dollar increase year-over-year.

European Exits and Sports Finance

Dealmakers in Europe finalized several key transactions, including GTCR completing its acquisition of pharmaceutical business Zentiva, which develops generics and over-the-counter medicines, and EQT divesting its stake in a Nordic ferry operator. Outside of traditional corporate exits, major investment firms are being sounded out for minority positions in high-profile sports assets. Financial players including Apollo, CVC, Ares, and Sixth Street are reportedly being approached regarding a potential minority investment in the international rights arm of Italy’s Serie A soccer league.