Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: June 19, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Fundraising and Asset Management

Clearlake Capital closed its eighth flagship fund at $14.8bn, highlighting the continued preference of institutional investors for large, established managers despite a difficult fundraising environment. This capital raise, which was previously noted as a significant milestone, arrives as fund managers across the industry grapple with extended timelines and heightened scrutiny from limited partners. Meanwhile, Charterhouse Capital Partners surpassed its €1.5bn target for its latest flagship fund, with a final close expected after the summer, marking a return for one of the private equity market’s oldest firms.

Infrastructure and credit strategies remain a primary focus for long-term capital allocation. Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC is finalizing the sale of up to $2bn in private credit assets to tap into the booming secondaries market, while Blackstone launched Sable Pointe Credit Strategies to accelerate its expansion into asset-based lending. In the infrastructure space, CPP Investments committed $715m to scale the Ctrl S data center platform in India, and I Squared Capital partnered with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to establish a $3bn Indo-Pacific energy platform. As interest in these sectors grows, Allianz Global Investors is increasing its focus on infrastructure secondaries, a sub-asset class that remains undercapitalized despite high growth expectations, even as institutions like the Japan Science and Technology Agency begin to allocate capital to the space.

Strategic M&A and Buyouts

The consumer and retail sector saw significant movement as Long Range Capital agreed to acquire the bulk of Pizza Hut from Yum! Brands in a deal valued at $2.7bn, excluding the chain's Chinese operations. Consolidation also hit the healthcare and medical technology markets: Altaris agreed to acquire Simulations Plus in a $375m take-private transaction, while CVC Catalyst acquired a majority stake in prosthetic limb manufacturer Willow Wood. Elsewhere, Montagu is set to acquire the BMC Helix agentic AI platform from BMC Software, and Francisco Partners purchased cybersecurity firm Efficient IP.

Industrial and specialized technical services continue to draw private equity interest. EQT announced plans to acquire satellite deployment and integration firm Exolaunch, while KPS Capital invested in infrastructure products provider Jennmar, with existing shareholder Falcon Point Partners maintaining a minority position. In the aerospace and defense supply chain, FSG acquired Custom Alloy Corporation to bolster its high-specification forging capabilities. Meanwhile, TPG moved to acquire Waste Eliminator and Liberty Waste Solutions, and New Mountain Capital invested in power engineering firm Commonwealth Associates to support the build-out of critical electrical infrastructure.

Venture Capital and AI Infrastructure

The venture landscape is experiencing a shift in defensibility as AI lowers the barrier to software development. AT&T Ventures head Vikram Taneja notes that the new rules for seed-stage startups require more than just technical novelty, a sentiment echoed by investors who believe the greatest long-term value will emerge from infrastructure and model-level solutions rather than application-layer products. Despite a slower week for large deals, Odyssey led the funding charts with a $310m round, and SpaceX acquired AI coding tool Cursor in a deal valued at $60bn. Other notable activity includes three former Palantir engineers raising $60m for an agentic operating system and French startup Comand AI securing €32m from Blossom Capital and Saab.

While capital continues to flow, corporate venture arms are recalibrating. PayPal Ventures shuttered its investment operations after a decade and 80 investments as part of a broader company restructuring. At the same time, General Atlantic is in early talks to lead a $2bn-plus round for China’s Kling AI. Amid these shifts, YC-backed startup Flagright raised $12.5m for U.S. expansion, while CuspAI is reportedly nearing a $2.6bn valuation with support from Jeff Bezos. As the industry evolves, diverse founders are increasingly turning to venture investing to address the persistent funding gaps for Black-owned startups.

Operational and Personnel Updates

Internal firm developments and portfolio management remain central to value creation. Arsenal Capital appointed Max Schechter as head of industrial growth business development to strengthen market coverage, and Gen Nx360 Capital promoted Pratik Rajeevan to partner following his work on over 40 platform and add-on investments. Operational oversight is also coming under fire, as Cleo employees alleged a toxic workplace culture characterized by directionless management, and Legora issued warnings regarding unapproved share trades.

Investment professionals are also emphasizing the importance of inclusion, with ICG’s Louis Dawant noting that allocating capital is an exercise in influencing leadership and team composition. As firms navigate these complex operational landscapes, BDO is advising that tax strategy remains an underutilized tool in dealmaking. Meanwhile, firms like Eric Slesinger’s 201 Ventures are planning new defense-focused funds, and BGF invested in Wild Frontiers to support the expansion of its global adventure travel portfolio, proving that even as macro uncertainty persists, specialized mandates continue to attract capital.