Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Fundraisings

Private equity firms have been actively deploying capital and seeking new funds in a dynamic market. Advent Capital is nearing a $3.5 billion exit from its naval technology group, Ultra Maritime, with Lockheed Martin reportedly leading the acquisition race. In a separate transaction, JFLCO-backed Wrist Group acquired maritime logistics provider MSA, signaling continued investment in the maritime sector. Platinum Equity is set to invest in retailer Grand Appliance, which operates 31 locations across several Midwestern states. Meanwhile, Monomoy Capital acquired the Jiffy Lube franchise for $1.3 billion from a Shell USA subsidiary, and Wynnchurch Capital is exiting its aerospace components business, PFG, to HIG Capital.

In the software and technology sectors, Sandbrook announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a European platform focused on developing data center infrastructure. Main Capital has seen its portfolio company Uname IT acquire Denmark's Auto IT, a software provider for automotive dealerships. Volpi Capital took a majority stake in archiving software firm kgs, which serves over 375 clients. GTCR-backed Experity acquired Exdion Healthcare, an on-demand healthcare technology platform. Tru Link Capital made its first platform investment from Fund II in Horwitz, a provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services Truelink Capital, Truelink. Peak Rock scooped up health tech firm Asembia Peak Rock, and Corten and Ampersand acquired Beacon Intelligence, a provider of structured data on early-stage drug development Corten, Ampersand.

Fundraising activities remain robust, with Hayfin Capital Management raising over €15 billion ($17.1 for its flagship direct lending fund. Hamilton Lane closed its sixth direct equity fund at $3.8 billion, its largest to date. Ardian is packaging secondaries stakes into a $1 billion debt vehicle, and BCI is raising its second fund with a target of $300 million BCI. FPE has backed utility software business BMA FPE, and ICG Infra is backing the Paulo Duarte Group, which operates a specialized freight fleet ICG Infra.

AI and Technology Investments

The artificial intelligence sector continues to attract significant investment, with startups and established players announcing major funding rounds and strategic initiatives. Brookfield has expanded its financing framework with Bloom Energy to $25 billion, aiming to build rapid power solutions for AI infrastructure. KKR is taking control of a $1.3 billion renewable energy platform in South Korea with SK to develop the country's largest clean power business, intended to fuel the nation's AI build-out. Ardian Semiconductor has made a minority investment in VSORA, a French fabless company designing AI inference accelerators Ardian Semiconductor, Ardian.

In the startup ecosystem, DeepMind Gensyn angels backed Xylo in a £2.8 million raise. Meta OpenAI alumni are seeking $400 million for a new AI lab. GV's Dave Munichiello discussed the shift in AI software and the increasing costs of AI computing. Startups are also exploring innovative approaches, with Omnea, an AI software company, offering employees $250,000 to plan their next startup. Equi Libre Technologies, an AI lab founded by ex-Deep Mind researchers, is now valued at over $500 million.

Venture Capital and Startup Funding

Venture capital continues to fuel innovation, with a focus on repeat founders and deep tech. Tapestry VC closed an $80 million third fund to invest in repeat European founders, anticipating a wave of AI exits. Ex-Speedinvest partner Rick Hao closed a $50 million solo GP fund for deeptech startups. Early-stage firm Magnify Ventures raised $46.6 million for its second fund, with Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures as an LP.

US startups saw notable funding rounds, with energy and AI leading the way. Joulent secured a substantial round, though specific details were truncated. Ashton Kutcher is leaving Sound Ventures to launch a new VC firm with Morgan Beller, focusing on infrastructure for AI companies. 20VC led a $17 million deal for an AI startup. The European startup scene is also active, with Bending Spoons, Bending Spoons successfully pricing its US IPO above the range at $1.68 billion, a testament to its strategy of acquiring and revamping established tech brands. The firm's CEO stated that success comes from minimizing luck.

Sector-Specific Investments and Exits

Several firms have made strategic exits and investments across various sectors. Advent Capital is nearing a $3.5 billion sale of Ultra Maritime. KKR, KKR, KKR agreed to sell its Ocean Yield ship leasing platform to AP Moller for an undisclosed sum, and is acquiring EDF's North American renewables arm for $4.2 billion. Cinven, Cinven is backing the merger of Vitamin Well and EMPWR. Inflexion, Inflexion sold aerospace supplier Avantus Aerospace to Arcline Investment. Riverside Company sold organic candy brand Yum Earth to ACON Investments.

In healthcare, Frazier Healthcare Partners named Stephen Krupa as executive in residence for its buyout team. THL-backed Headlands Research acquired Clinical Trials Research, and Parthenon backed patient support solutions provider Momentum Life Sciences. Cathay Capital launched Ascendia Autism Care, and Martis Capital backed healthcare marketing agency Deerfield Group.

Regulatory and Market Trends

The private equity industry is navigating evolving regulatory environments and shifting market dynamics. The EU, EU is considering a deal to end a standoff with the UK over a €5 billion superfund. Discussions around continuation vehicle guidance are ongoing, with emphasis on market practice to avoid regulatory intervention Continuation vehicle guidance. The industry also faces challenges with data accuracy, with calls for better data infrastructure to leverage AI effectively in venture capital Venture capital data.

The European market is seeing momentum in digital infrastructure, with Sandbrook’s €200 million investment in Krios Sandbrook. The rise of AI is upending traditional software investments, forcing a reevaluation of strategies for profitable growth in the sector AI and software. Meanwhile, a significant trend is the concentration of capital with larger players, as evidenced by Hayfin's substantial direct lending fund raise Hayfin.

Other Notable Developments

Bain Capital, working with SoftBank's LY Corp, has sweetened its offer for Japanese price-comparison operator Kakaku.com to $4.1 billion. IK Partners is opening a Madrid office. Generation IM has corralled $1 billion for its long-hold private equity strategy, aiming for transformative segment changes. Private capital is seen as a catalyst for the UK's defense industry, bringing commercial discipline and scale UK defense industry. The EBRD has passed €10.5 billion in financing for Ukraine, developing private capital mobilization tools. Investors are showing strong conviction in private equity, as detailed in the latest Global Investor 150 ranking Global Investor 150, Global Investor 150.