Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: June 25, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Fundraisings

Private equity firms are actively deploying capital across diverse sectors, with significant investments in technology, healthcare, and consumer brands. Permira and Warburg Pincus-led are taking analytics provider Clearwater Analytics private in an $8.4 billion transaction, a deal supported by Francisco Partners and Temasek. In the consumer space, CVC Capital Partners is investing in the online chess platform Chess.com, with existing backer General Atlantic retaining a stake. Italy's largest fast-casual pizza chain, Alice Pizza, has been acquired by Quadrivio and Capdesia through their Lifestyle Fund II and other co-investors. Elsewhere, Bessemer-backed Mas Restaurant Group is selling 43 Taco Bell locations in Ohio to Southpaw.

In technology and software, Omni-backed Infoshare has expanded its data governance capabilities with the acquisitions of 3C Consultants and Infoboss. LightBay Capital is backing IT managed services provider Centre Technologies, which serves over 750 clients across Texas and Oklahoma. Health tech is also seeing activity, with Chicago Pacific Founders investing in Attune to enhance its omnichannel capabilities and clinical use cases. Further afield, Apheon is acquiring Belgian business software and managed IT services provider Easi, and Thoma Bravo is backing occupational health software firm Padoa, which operates across France and Europe.

AI & Tech Investments Accelerate

Artificial intelligence continues to be a dominant theme for private capital, with major funds emerging to capitalize on the technology's expansion. Abu Dhabi's MGX is raising close to $50 billion for a fund focused on AI infrastructure and technology, positioning itself as one of the largest AI-focused funds globally. In venture capital, Menlo Ventures has raised $3 billion across two new funds, the largest capital raise in its 50-year history, specifically to invest in AI startups from seed through growth stages. The firm's previous success with a $750 million investment in Anthropic has solidified its reputation as an AI investor.

European tech is also attracting substantial backing. Bending Spoons, an Italian software acquirer employing a private equity-style strategy, is seeking up to $1.62 billion in an initial public offering. Meanwhile, Dutch manager Main Capital has raised €5.25 billion for its focus on "mission-critical companies," a strategy its managing partner believes is less vulnerable to AI-driven market volatility. The British Business Bank is also enhancing the European VC ecosystem, backing 10 VC funds with a £90 million allocation and eyeing a stake in the EU's €5 billion Scaleup Fund to bolster regional tech. Startups in AI and related fields are also securing significant funding, such as XCures, which raised $46 million in a Series B round for its AI-powered medical records solution, and drone startup Stark, confirming a €500 million raise backed by Sequoia and Founders Fund.

Sector-Specific Deals & Exits

Private equity firms are diversifying their portfolios with strategic investments across various industries, including sports, live events, and niche industrial sectors. CVC Capital Partners is reportedly weighing a €6 billion exit from Cooper Consumer Health, with Cap Vest-owned Stada emerging as a potential buyer. In the sports arena, Juggernaut Capital Partners is teaming up with former football star Gareth Bale to pursue a controlling stake in a football club, with plans to expand into golf and women's sports. KKR-owned Arctos Partners is backing a $288 million Tennessee stadium district development in a broader push into college sports infrastructure.

The live events sector is experiencing a surge of private equity interest, with Apollo, Hellman & Friedman, and Platinum Equity investing in the space, anticipating market growth that is projected to exceed $1.2 trillion by 2032. Platinum Equity is also reportedly the sole bidder for Nestlé's water business after CD&R withdrew from the auction. In a notable carve-out, Bain Capital is acquiring a 51% majority stake in Everllence, a propulsion, decarbonization, and efficiency products provider, from the Volkswagen Group for €7.4 billion. Tikehau is exiting its investment in Aubert & Duval, with the complex metallic materials producer set to be sold to Airbus and Safran.

Fund Finance & Investor Strategy

Institutional investors are increasingly seeking liquidity and exploring sophisticated financial tools, driving innovation in fund finance and secondaries markets. Panellists at the European Fund Finance Association conference noted that fund finance has evolved into a multi-instrument toolkit, supported by increased institutional appetite and the proliferation of bespoke structures. Pantheon saw its infrastructure secondaries funds surpass targets, with both Pantheon's and Ardian’s latest flagship funds ranking among the largest in the sector. South Korean investment bank KB Securities is open to both LP and GP-led secondaries partnerships, particularly in Asian markets and the U.S.

Pension funds are adjusting their private equity allocations amid market volatility. The Ohio Teachers pension fund is prioritizing liquidity and has set its private equity pacing for