Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: May 31, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Fundraising & Capital Deployment Secured $2.5bn at first close as Actis launched flagship energy fund and EQT mobilised $15.6bn for Asia platform underscore a rebound in large‑cap private‑equity capital despite a broader fundraising slowdown noted in Canada’s 2025 slump. The two vehicles aim to target renewable infrastructure and high‑growth technology assets, respectively, reflecting investor appetite for climate‑aligned and AI‑enabled businesses. Meanwhile, BCI created Capital Solutions Group to provide liquidity to buyout firms facing an exit drought, signalling that sponsors are increasingly reliant on institutional credit lines to bridge portfolio holding periods.

Strategic Partnerships & Sector Focus EQT struck Google Cloud partnership to embed AI tools across more than 300 portfolio companies, a move that could accelerate value creation in sectors ranging from logistics to software services. Parallel to this, Apollo and Blackstone syndicate $36bn Anthropic chip financing illustrates private‑credit firms’ willingness to fund deep‑tech infrastructure, with the debt package expected to support Anthropic’s next‑generation AI processor rollout. These collaborations highlight a shift toward technology‑centric capital structures where private equity and credit providers co‑invest in platform‑scale AI capabilities.

M&A Activity & Portfolio Exits DigitalBridge agreed to acquire ArcLight for $1.05bn and KKR sold Circor’s aircraft parts group for $2.55bn demonstrate continued appetite for specialist infrastructure assets, even as broader merger activity eases. In Europe, HSG emerged as frontrunner to buy Blackstone’s 45% stake in Leica Camera points to private‑equity interest in high‑margin precision‑technology brands. At the same time, MidOcean prepared to sell Zonda to CoStar Group reflects consolidation in real‑estate data services, providing an exit route for a firm that built a niche market platform.

Sector‑Specific Investments PE firms pursued six oncology deals including investments by AEA Investors, Bridgepoint and Kohlberg, underscoring a growing focus on healthcare assets with defensible cash flows. In the nutrition space, Axum Capital backed Vita Hustle delivering growth capital to a brand founded by Kevin Hart and Ron Everline, indicating that consumer‑health niches remain attractive to mid‑market sponsors. Additionally, Advaya Capital’s carve‑out of Comscore Movies adds a media‑measurement asset to its portfolio, expanding its exposure to entertainment analytics.

Fees, Advisory Landscape & Market Sentiment GP counsel fees ranged up to $79,000 in recent LP‑led fund interests, highlighting the cost pressure on deal execution and the premium placed on legal expertise. Concurrently, Placement agents retained relevance for lower‑mid market fundraising as emerging managers continue to rely on external capital‑raising specialists. Finally, Side Letter noted Onex’s navigation of a fundraising winter alongside EQT’s APAC co‑head appointments, suggesting that senior‑team reshuffles remain a tactical response to a competitive capital‑allocation environment.