Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 1, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Activity Across Sectors

Private equity firms have been active across a range of sectors, from technology and healthcare to industrial services and consumer brands. Ardian Semiconductor has made a minority investment in VSORA Ardian Semiconductor invests, a French fabless company designing AI inference accelerators. The firm also plans to invest over €3bn in Nordic data centers through its portfolio company Verne Ardian plans investment. In the industrial sector, CVC Capital Partners is acquiring Italy’s Clevertech CVC agrees acquire, an industrial automation group, with the founding family reinvesting as a minority shareholder CVC buys industrial automation. Warburg Pincus is set to acquire UK infrastructure services group Network Plus from OMERS Warburg Pincus buys. Meanwhile, FPE has backed BMA FPE backs utility software, a software and services platform for utility companies, and ICG Infra is backing Portugal and Spain-focused freight operator Paulo Duarte Group ICG Infra backs.

Fundraising and Investor Trends

Fundraising remains a key focus for private equity, with several firms announcing new capital commitments. Tapestry VC has closed an $80 million third fund Tapestry VC closes, targeting repeat European founders, and expects AI exits to fuel future entrepreneurial talent Tapestry VC aims at. Rick Hao, a former Speedinvest partner, has closed a $50 million solo GP fund for deeptech startups Rick Hao closes. Generation IM has corralled $1 billion for a long-hold private equity strategy, with partners indicating that conventional holding periods are insufficient for transforming entire market segments Generation IM corrals. On the investor side, Canada's BCI has tripled its private equity exposure, according to the latest Global Investor 150 ranking BCI triples exposure. The Global Investor 150 report also highlights that the 10 largest investors collectively allocate $1.1 trillion to private equity, with an average allocation of 21% Top 10 investors. Despite market turbulence, these LPs demonstrate strong conviction in the asset class LPs show conviction. Secondaries buyers are also showing increased comfort with fund financing in continuation vehicles to optimize returns Secondaries buyers embrace.

M&A and Divestitures in Focus

Consolidation and strategic divestitures are shaping various industries. In the consumer space, IVEST Consumer Partners and Cloverlay have agreed to sell the Care Bears franchise to Authentic Brands Group IVEST and Cloverlay sell, having acquired it in 2023 IVEST, Cloverlay sell. Xenon Private Equity is selling Italian tomato processor Solana to La Doria Xenon exits processor. First Reserve-backed Trillium Flow Technologies is selling select valve businesses to Flowserve, excluding its French operations Trillium Flow sells. In the energy sector, San Mateo Midstream plans to acquire EnCap-backed Cardinal Midstream for $752 million San Mateo Midstream acquire. Medical device M&A is also active, with Houlihan Lokey noting long-term trends supporting growth for independent service organizations focused on hospital equipment PE sees opportunity. THL-backed Headlands Research has acquired Clinical Trials Research Headlands Research acquires, while Martis Capital is backing healthcare marketing agency Deerfield Group Martis Capital backs.

AI and Technology Investments Accelerate

Artificial intelligence continues to be a significant driver of investment and strategic partnerships. Brookfield has expanded its financing framework with Bloom Energy to $25 billion, a fivefold increase since October 2025, to support AI infrastructure power needs Brookfield expands AI financing. Meta and OpenAI alumni are seeking $400 million for a new AI lab Meta, OpenAI alumni seek. The AI sector is also seeing new models emerge, with London-based AI software company Omnea challenging traditional venture models by offering employees $250,000 to plan their next startup Omnea challenges venture. In venture capital, GV's Dave Munichiello discussed the escalating costs and complexity of AI computing, noting that technology companies are actively managing these challenges GV discusses AI costs. There is a call for venture capital firms to improve data infrastructure and directly connect to financial sources to combat bad data in AI applications VCs need better data.

Sector-Specific Deals and Expansions

Private equity's reach extends to specialized sectors, including testing and inspection services and pet nutrition. Triton is in exclusive talks to acquire Bureau Veritas’ fuel testing and inspection business for €470 million Triton enters talks, a business that operates a global network of 320 testing and inspection sites Bureau Veritas unit. In the pet care market, Verlinvest and Five Seasons are backing pet nutrition company Years, which produces ambient-stored, fresh-ingredient dog meals Verlinvest backs pet food. In building services, Huron Capital-backed Albireo Energy has acquired Pasco Building Automation Services Albireo Energy acquires. EQT's bid for Australian fund manager Perpetual has been rejected, with the board holding out for fair value EQT's bid rebuffed.

Healthcare and Infrastructure Investments

The healthcare sector continues to attract private equity interest, driven by global demand for professionals and the need for advanced medical equipment. PE investors are finding opportunities in medical education due to a pressing need for more healthcare professionals globally PE sees medical education opportunity. Asset-level data suggests the healthcare sector is recovering after a challenging period Healthcare sector on mend. Frazier Healthcare Partners has named Stephen Krupa as executive in residence for its buyout team Frazier names executive. Cathay Capital has launched Ascendia Autism Care, beginning operations with 20 centers across eight states Cathay Capital launches. In infrastructure, Ardian plans to invest over €3bn in Nordic data centers Ardian plans data centers, while CVC Credit is backing the merger of German and Spanish infrastructure services groups KSG and Sasti to form a pan-European platform CVC Credit backs merger.

Secondary Market and Fund Finance

The secondary market is seeing evolving investor strategies, particularly concerning fund financing. Secondaries buyers are increasingly asking advisers to source fund financing for continuation vehicles to optimize returns Secondaries investors grow. The industry body ILPA has updated its guidance for continuation vehicles to reflect the evolving market ILPA updates guidance. Meanwhile, Bridgepoint is acquiring Kayne Anderson Real Estate (KARE) for approximately $1.39 billion Bridgepoint to acquire, a deal that also involves mental health and neurodiversity M&A activity Mental health M&A grows. Partners Group is investing $250 million in Avenue Capital’s commercial aviation leasing portfolio through a continuation vehicle Partners Group invests.

Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystems

Venture capital firms are actively supporting startups, with a focus on deeptech and repeat founders. Ex-Speedinvest partner Rick Hao has closed a $50 million solo GP fund for deeptech startups Rick Hao's deeptech fund. Tapestry VC's new $80 million fund is aimed at backing repeat founders in Europe Tapestry VC targets repeat. The European deeptech investment sector has reached an annual record in just six months Deeptech investment record. University spinouts are also attracting attention, with the University of Edinburgh's spinouts looking to raise capital Edinburgh spinouts seek capital. There is a sentiment that more venture capital mergers are on the horizon VC mergers expected.

Market Exits and Valuations

Several firms have achieved successful exits, realizing significant returns. Behrman has completed a $250 million continuation fund for Shurco, with Coller Capital leading the investment Behrman completes fund. Genesis Capital has exited GTH Catering Genesis Capital exits. Wynnchurch Capital has exited aerospace components business PFG to HIG Capital Wynnchurch exits PFG, and HIG Capital has acquired Premier Forge Group from Wynnchurch HIG acquires Premier Forge. In a notable consumer brand exit, IVEST and Cloverlay are selling Care Bears to Authentic Brands Group after achieving fourfold revenue growth Care Bears sold. Klarna has won a $1.97 billion antitrust lawsuit against Google Klarna wins lawsuit. Startup exits valued at $1 billion or more have reached their highest point since the 2021 market peak Startup exits surge.