Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: May 18, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Healthcare & Life Sciences

EQT and IDG Capital advanced to next round in the bidding for Swiss CDMO Poly Peptide, while Triton sought an exit from Nordic healthcare provider Aleris in a strategic sale. Meanwhile, Charlesbank and Nordic completed a merger combining orthopedic device manufacturers Tecomet and Orchid, and Kinderhook finalized a take-private of home health provider Enhabit. In a separate move reflecting sector dynamics, Eir Partners invested in QuartzBio to address drug R&D complexity, even as private equity firms like Blackstone and CD&R evaluated take-private bids for ice cream giant Magnum, which trades below its IPO price. These transactions underscore ongoing consolidation and bifurcation in healthcare services, with strategic sales coexisting with financial sponsors seeking value in listed assets.

Technology & AI Infrastructure

Sverica Capital exited agentic AI firm WinWire to NTT Data, marking a continued push by enterprises to acquire AI integration capabilities. The deal comes as venture capital poured billions into the "Deep Mind mafia" of alumni startups, while Nectar Social raised $30M for its AI marketing platform led by Menlo Ventures' Anthology Fund. However, the quantum computing sector faced a funding slowdown in 2026, contrasting with the physical-world tech boom. This divergence was highlighted by Anduril’s $5 billion round leading a wave of large deals, even as Cerebras Systems—which burned $8M monthly early on—posted the year’s largest tech IPO after securing $2.5 billion from Eclipse. The activity points to a clear investor preference for applied AI and defense-tech over foundational quantum research.

Fund Strategies & Liquidity Events

Blue Owl revealed its liquidity playbook in committee documents, detailing how the GP stakes giant generates cash for investors through secondaries and dividend recaps. The strategy contrasts with L Catterton’s recent exit, which sold Everlane to Shein at a sharp $100 million valuation—a fraction of its past DTC premium—highlighting the pressure on apparel brands in a tough retail climate. On the fundraising front, Meridian Ventures launched a $35M fund targeting founders deferring MBAs, while Schroders transferred its China unit to Neuberger Berman, exiting a wholly-owned presence in the market. These moves reflect broader adjustments in fund liquidity management and geographic focus among alternative asset managers.

Sector-Specific Plays & Litigation

In niche verticals, HIG Capital acquired International Aerospace Coatings, serving airlines and OEMs, while Pophouse acquired Tina Turner’s catalog to develop IP through streaming and live experiences. Meanwhile, Mercury Capital won a racial discrimination ruling as a jury dismissed claims of a "safe haven for white men" culture. Elsewhere, Dutch drone maker Destinus entered €200m funding talks, and quantum computing deal counts remained robust despite overall funding declines. These stories illustrate the spectrum of PE activity—from cultural asset investing to high-stakes aerospace services—occurring alongside persistent governance challenges in the industry.