Private Equity 3 Days

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

Fundraising & Capital Deployment

Private equity firms are actively deploying capital and raising new funds across diverse sectors. Main Capital Partners closed a record €5.25bn in software funds, the largest in the Netherlands, within six months. In a strategic move, Carlyle launched a dedicated defense and reindustrialization fund. Meanwhile, MGX in Abu Dhabi is amassing nearly $50bn for a global artificial intelligence infrastructure and technology push, signaling a significant influx of capital into AI. On the venture side, Menlo Ventures successfully raised $3 billion across two funds to invest in AI startups from seed to growth stages, building on its prior success with Anthropic. Valor Equity Partners is also looking to raise $2.5 billion for its seventh fund.

M&A Activity & Portfolio Management

The market is witnessing a flurry of acquisitions and exits as firms optimize their portfolios. Permira and Warburg Pincus are taking Clearwater Analytics private in an $8.4 billion deal, with Francisco Partners participating. Advent International is acquiring Japanese home care operator JWB from MBK Partners, marking its debut in Japan's healthcare sector. In the live events space, Apollo, Hellman & Friedman, and Platinum Equity are investing, anticipating the sector's growth to exceed $1.2 trillion by 2032. CVC Capital Partners is considering a potential €6 billion exit from Cooper Consumer Health, with Stada as a possible buyer. KKR reported that its monetization activity has exceeded $900 million quarter-to-date, indicating an acceleration in capital returns to clients.

Sector-Specific Investments & Trends

Private equity is making significant inroads into specialized sectors, including AI, healthcare, and infrastructure. Patronus AI, an agent-testing startup founded by former Meta AI researchers, secured $50 million to develop AI-testing environments. Blackstone plans to invest $30 billion in Japan's AI data center infrastructure over the next three to five years. In healthcare, Chicago Pacific Founders is backing health tech firm Attune to expand its platform capabilities. The live events sector is attracting significant PE interest, with firms like Apollo, Hellman & Friedman, and Platinum Equity investing in this growing market.

Geographic Focus & Expansion

Firms are expanding their geographical reach, with a notable emphasis on Asia and Europe. Advent International is entering the Japanese market by acquiring home care provider JWB from MBK Partners. Blackstone and Bain Capital are in the second round of bidding for Fuji Media Holdings' real estate arm, potentially marking Japan's largest property deal. In Europe, Main Capital Partners is opening a London office following its substantial software fundraise.

Fund Finance & Secondaries Market

Developments in fund finance and the secondaries market are offering increased flexibility and liquidity. EQT has secured a sustainability-linked fund finance facility, reflecting the growing importance of ESG considerations. NAV financing is becoming more sophisticated, with a wider range of lenders and evolving use cases creating a more complex ecosystem. The secondaries market, however, faces challenges with benchmarking standardization, raising questions about how the strategy should be measured against traditional PE benchmarks. Panellists at the European Fund Finance Association conference noted that fund finance has evolved into a multi-instrument toolkit catering to the entire fund lifecycle.

Strategic Partnerships & Exits

Strategic partnerships and well-timed exits are key for value creation. HarbourView acquired publishing rights to songs written by the Wolf Cousins collective, tapping into the music IP market. CVC Capital Partners is exiting its stake in Philippine logistics firm Fast Logistics Group, returning full control to the founding family. Providence Equity Partners is in exclusive talks to sell theatre group ATG Entertainment to Ari Emanuel's Mari Group for approximately $6 billion. In the sports sector, Blue Owl Capital is nearing a deal for a minority stake in the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.

AI & Technology Investments

The artificial intelligence landscape continues to attract significant private equity interest and capital. MGX is raising close to $50 billion for a global AI infrastructure and technology fund. Menlo Ventures is raising $3 billion to back AI startups across various stages, building on its successful investment in Anthropic. Patronus AI has landed $50 million to develop AI testing environments. The application of AI is also extending to areas like healthcare, with XCures raising $46 million to use AI for streamlining medical records, and Tandem Health emphasizing its independence from specific AI providers like OpenAI.

Consumer & Retail Investments

Investments in consumer-facing businesses and franchises are ongoing. L Catterton has taken a significant minority stake in the haircare brand RŌZ. Great Hill Capital is investing in the pet grooming franchise Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming. Quadrivio & Pambianco and Capdesia Group are acquiring Alice Pizza, Italy's largest fast-casual pizza chain. In the restaurant sector, AI is transforming customer feedback and service, creating opportunities for investors in franchises.

Infrastructure & Real Assets

Private equity is also directing capital towards infrastructure and real assets. Blackstone is preparing to invest $30 billion in Japan's AI data center infrastructure over the next three to five years. In a significant property transaction, Blackstone and Bain Capital are bidding for Fuji Media Holdings' real estate arm in what could be Japan's largest property deal.

Defense & Industrial

The defense and industrial sectors are seeing strategic investments. Carlyle has launched a dedicated defense and reindustrialization fund. Bain Capital is acquiring a 51% majority stake in Everllence, a Volkswagen carve-out focused on propulsion and decarbonization products for the maritime, energy, and industrial sectors. Ara Partners is selling advanced magnetics company Vacuumschmelze to Energy Fuels for $1.9 billion.

Healthcare & Life Sciences

The healthcare and life sciences sectors continue to attract PE capital. Advent International is acquiring JWB, a Japanese home care provider. Chicago Pacific Founders is investing in health tech firm Attune. PE-backed Life Science Connect is creating a biopharma outsourcing platform through acquisitions. New Mountain is investing in engineering firm RRC Companies, and Incline Equity is backing medical and health physics testing provider West Physics.

Europe & UK Tech Scene

European startups and tech companies are navigating a dynamic investment environment. Main Capital Partners closed a record €5.25bn in software funds, with plans to open a London office. Concerns about potential tax policies impacting the UK tech sector were raised by Brent Hoberman. While Europe's tech scene is rebuilding its stack, startups are also facing challenges related to scaling AI and managing valuations amidst potential bubbles. The British Business Bank is backing VC funds with a £90 million pot and eyeing stakes in EU funds. Some European startups are achieving significant funding rounds, with eight raising over $1 billion in 2026.