Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

PRIVATE EQUITY DEALS & STRATEGIES

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors, with a notable surge in activity within the AI, healthcare, and infrastructure domains. Bain Capital and SoftBank's LY Corp sweetened their bid for Japanese price-comparison operator Kakaku.com to $4.1 billion, extending their lead over rival bidder EQT. In the health tech space, Peak Rock acquired Asembia, a firm that also operates a specialty pharmacy conference. Meanwhile, Cinven is backing the merger of Vitamin Well and EMPWR in a consumer sector play, a deal that brings Barebells' primary producer in-house. Apheon is set to acquire Teknimed, a manufacturer of orthopedic bone cements and biomaterials in a medical device transaction.

HEALTHCARE & MEDICAL SECTOR

The healthcare sector continues to be a focal point for private equity investment, with specialized areas showing significant promise. Frazier Healthcare Partners has named Stephen Krupa as an executive in residence for its buyout team, bringing his experience as former CEO of Health Edge to support dealmaking. Ascendia Autism Care was rolled out by Cathay Capital, beginning operations with an affiliate that runs 20 centers across eight states addressing a growing need. THL-backed Headlands Research acquired Clinical Trials Research, a clinical trial site network expanding its footprint. Martis Capital has backed Deerfield Group, a healthcare marketing agency, previously supported by Edgewater Funds in a strategic move. Verlinvest and Five Seasons are backing Years, a pet nutrition company specializing in ambient-stored, fresh-ingredient dog meals with up to 18 months of shelf life targeting the growing pet care market.

TECHNOLOGY & AI INVESTMENTS

Artificial intelligence continues to dominate technology investment conversations, driving both strategic plays and new venture fund formations. Bending Spoons, a company known for acquiring and revamping established tech brands, saw its Nasdaq IPO price above its range at $29.00 per share, valuing the company at $1.68 billion cashing in on its success. The company's co-founders emphasized minimizing luck in their strategy, drawing lessons from past startup failures for sustained growth. In AI infrastructure, Brookfield has expanded its financing with Bloom Energy to $25 billion, a fivefold increase since October 2025, to build and finance rapid power for AI infrastructure deepening a key partnership. Ardian Semiconductor has taken a minority stake in VSORA, a France-based fabless company designing AI inference accelerators for data centers fueling chip innovation. Deep Mind and Gensyn angel investors are backing Xylo in a £2.8 million raise for a new AI venture.

INFRASTRUCTURE & ENERGY TRANSITION

Private equity is channeling significant capital into infrastructure and renewable energy projects, reflecting a long-term shift towards sustainable assets. KKR has agreed to acquire the North American operations of EDF power solutions for approximately $4.2 billion, with potential further payments of up to $390 million in a major clean energy bet. The firm is also taking control of a $1.3 billion SK renewables platform in South Korea to build what is described as the country's largest clean power business driving AI build-out. CVC DIF has agreed to sell Klara Renewables, a portfolio of six operational onshore wind farms in Poland, to Actis exiting its Polish wind assets. Ardian plans to invest over €3 billion in Nordic data centers through its portfolio company Verne expanding its digital infrastructure.

AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORTATION

The automotive services sector has seen a flurry of acquisition activity, with private equity firms targeting various segments. Garnett Station is reportedly collecting first-round bids for its auto services provider Goodturn, with potential buyers offering 13x-15x EBITDA for the company attracting mid-market interest. Monomoy Capital has acquired the quick lube and car service franchise Jiffy Lube for $1.3 billion from a subsidiary of Shell USA in a significant transaction. Meritus Gas Partners, a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise, has seen its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply snap up helium solutions firm HICO expanding its operational reach. Main Capital-backed Uname IT has picked up Denmark's Auto IT, a software provider for the automotive retail sector bolstering its software offerings.

SECONDARY MARKET & FUNDRAISING

The secondary market continues to evolve, with investors increasingly comfortable with fund financing and innovative structures. Ardian is packaging some of its secondhand fund stakes into approximately $1 billion of debt through a collateralised fund obligation optimizing its portfolio. Secondaries buyers are more frequently asking advisers to source fund financing for continuation vehicles (CVs) to enhance returns a growing trend. BCI, a Canadian pension fund, is participating directly in CVs and secondaries transactions, though its global head of PE noted such investors remain the exception rather than the norm in a dynamic market. Behrman has completed a $250 million continuation fund for Shurco, with Coller Capital serving as the lead investor facilitating liquidity for LPs.

VENTURE CAPITAL & STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

Venture capital activity shows a mixed picture, with AI startups attracting significant funding while broader investment trends are being shaped by data quality concerns and evolving VC models. Global startup investment hit a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with the second quarter of 2026 being the second-largest on record driven by AI acceleration. Tapestry VC has closed an $80 million third fund to back repeat European founders, anticipating a wave of AI exits to produce experienced entrepreneurs in a focused strategy. Ashton Kutcher is leaving Sound Ventures to launch a new VC firm with Morgan Beller, focusing on AI infrastructure, a layer beneath leading AI labs pursuing new opportunities. However, concerns persist regarding the use of AI by venture capital firms, with arguments for building better data infrastructure and direct connections to financial sources to combat bad data.

OPERATIONAL & SECTORAL DEALS

Beyond headline-grabbing AI and tech deals, private equity firms are actively engaged in a wide array of sectors, from consumer brands to industrial services. Wynnchurch Capital and HIG Capital were involved in the exit of aerospace components business PFG, a deal that exemplifies the prevalent AI theme in investor interest driving exits. IVEST and Cloverlay are selling Care Bears to Authentic Brands Group after quadrupling the business's revenue in three years a lucrative exit. Warburg Pincus has agreed to acquire Network Plus, a UK utility and infrastructure service provider, from OMERS Private Equity and other shareholders expanding its UK infrastructure presence. Cinven, Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well is set to combine with EMPWR in a consumer sector consolidation.

INFRASTRUCTURE & SPECIALIZED SERVICES

Private equity continues to find opportunities in specialized infrastructure and service sectors, often characterized by recurring revenues and essential services. CVC has agreed to acquire Clevertech, an Italian industrial automation group, with the founding family reinvesting as a minority shareholder in a carve-out deal. FPE is backing BMA, a software and services platform providing decision intelligence for utility companies and asset-intensive infrastructure operators optimizing utility operations. ICG Infra is backing Paulo Duarte Group, a temperature-controlled and specialized freight fleet operator across Portugal and Spain enhancing logistics capabilities. Triton is in exclusive talks for Bureau Veritas’ fuels testing unit, which operates a global network of 320 testing and inspection sites in a bid for global reach.

FUNDRAISING & LP SENTIMENT

Large institutional investors remain committed to private equity, even as some pension funds re-evaluate their allocations amid performance concerns. Hamilton Lane has held the final close of its sixth direct equity fund at $3.8 billion, its largest to date signaling strong LP demand. Generation IM has corralled $1 billion for a long-hold private equity strategy, with partners arguing that conventional holding periods may not be sufficient to transform entire market segments for deeper impact. However, Colorado PERA, a $75 billion pension fund, is weighing a pullback from private equity after underperformance, with its consultant noting that many LPs are falling short of benchmarks amid market shifts. The EBRD has surpassed €10.5 billion in Ukraine financing, building out private capital mobilization tools supporting recovery.

MEDIA & SPORTS INVESTMENTS

The media and sports sectors are attracting private equity interest, with a focus on acquiring and scaling assets. Firebird has unveiled a music catalog acquisition platform with backing from Ares and Raine Group, possessing more than $750 million in purchasing power to invest in music rights. Ares Management and Joe Tsai have led a $100 million Series E financing for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), the largest capital raise in the history of professional lacrosse fueling sports growth. Juggernaut Capital and Gareth Bale are lining up a football takeover, with plans to expand into golf and women's sport in a sports diversification play.