Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

AI & Venture Capital Activity

The artificial intelligence sector continues to draw significant venture capital, with AI labs increasingly populating areas like London's King's Cross Mapped: AI labs. This boom is fueling substantial funding rounds, with U.S. startups announcing significant capital infusions, particularly in energy and AI The Week’s Funding Rounds. Despite a challenging tech layoff environment Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker, new venture firms are emerging, such as Jack Selby's Copper Sky Capital, which is raising a $300 million second fund Thiel Capital's Jack Selby. Ashton Kutcher is also launching a new firm, Morgan Beller, focusing on infrastructure supporting AI companies after his departure from Sound Ventures Ashton Kutcher leaving Sound. Europe is also seeing a surge in billion-dollar startups, with one new unicorn emerging weekly One unicorn week. However, there are internal divisions, with some venture capital firms backed by the European Technology & Innovation Companies (ETCI) split over plans to limit non-European investments ETCI-backed VC firms split. The rapid advancement of AI also presents challenges, with developers like Eleven Labs reportedly targeting a $22 billion valuation through a new share sale ElevenLabs targets valuation. The potential impact of AI on the workforce is also a subject of discussion, with calls for HR and finance departments to collaborate more closely headcount paradox.

Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits

Private equity firms have been actively engaged in a wide array of acquisitions and divestitures across various sectors. In the consumer and retail space, Platinum Equity is set to invest in retailer Grand Appliance, which operates 31 locations across four states Platinum Equity invest. Monomoy Capital has acquired the Jiffy Lube franchise business from a Shell subsidiary for $1.3 billion Monomoy Capital acquires Jiffy. In the automotive services sector, Garnett Station is reportedly collecting bids for its auto services provider Goodturn, with potential buyers offering between 13x and 15x EBITDA Garnett Station collects bids. WILsquare-backed Automotive Color & Supply has acquired Ohio Paint Supply, expanding its regional distribution network WILsquare-backed Automotive Color &.

The industrial and services sectors have also seen significant activity. JFLCO-backed Wrist Group has acquired maritime logistics services provider MSA JFLCO-backed Wrist Group acquires. Meritus Gas Partners' subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply has acquired helium solutions firm HICO Meritus Gas Partners acquires. Truelink Capital has made its first platform investment from Fund II in Horwitz, a provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services Truelink Capital invests. Harvest Partners has acquired Integra Testing Services, a commercial HVAC service provider Harvest Partners scoops up. GTCR-backed Experity has acquired Exdion Healthcare, an on-demand healthcare technology platform GTCR-backed Experity acquires.

In the technology and software realm, Corten and Ampersand have acquired Beacon Intelligence, which provides structured data on early-stage drug development Corten, Ampersand acquire. Volpi Capital has taken a majority stake in archiving software firm kgs Volpi Capital takes majority, and Main Capital-backed Uname IT has acquired Denmark's Auto IT, a software provider for car dealerships Main Capital-backed UnameIT picks. FPE has backed BMA, a decision intelligence platform for utility companies FPE backs utility software. Peak Rock has acquired health tech firm Asembia, which also operates a specialty pharmacy conference Peak Rock scoops up.

Exits have also been prominent. Eurazeo has sold its Spanish hotel portfolio, FST Hotels, to Extendam, a European specialist in hospitality-focused private equity Eurazeo exits Spanish hotel portfolio. Inflexion has exited its investment in aerospace supplier Avantus Aerospace, selling it to Arcline Investment Inflexion exits aerospace supplier. CVC DIF has sold its Polish wind portfolio, Klara Renewables, to Actis CVC DIF exits Polish wind portfolio. KKR is reportedly set to sell its ship leasing platform, Ocean Yield, which holds interests in over 70 vessels KKR agrees to sell.

Fundraising & Investor Activity

Investor intentions and fundraising activities indicate continued capital deployment across the private equity spectrum. The Town of Wellesley is seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust Wellesley Retirement Board issues. Similarly, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is issuing an RFP for a private equity buyout mandate, with plans to commit up to $20 billion MWRA issue RFP.

Blackstone's private wealth fund has achieved its strongest-ever monthly return, driven by its stake in AI developer Anthropic Anthropic bet drives record month. Hamilton Lane has closed its sixth direct equity fund at $3.8 billion, marking its largest fund to date Hamilton Lane closes sixth direct equity fund. Behrman has completed a $250 million continuation fund for Shurco, with Coller Capital serving as the lead investor Behrman completes $250m continuation. Ardian is packaging secondhand fund stakes into a $1 billion debt vehicle, capitalizing on the booming CFO market Ardian bundles secondaries stakes.

In the venture capital space, Melinda French Gates' Pivotal Ventures is among the LPs backing Magnify Ventures' $46.6 million Fund II Melinda Gates’ venture firm. Tapestry VC has launched an $80 million fund aimed at backing repeat founders Tapestry VC launches $80m, while ex-Speedinvest partner Rick Hao has closed a $50 million solo GP fund for deeptech startups Ex-Speedinvest partner Rick Hao.

Sector Focus: AI, Healthcare, and Infrastructure

The artificial intelligence sector remains a dominant force, with significant investments flowing into AI infrastructure. Brookfield has expanded its financing with Bloom Energy to $25 billion, a fivefold increase, to support the development of rapid power for AI infrastructure Brookfield lifts Bloom Energy. The rise of AI is also prompting discussions about its impact on software companies, with some facing increased uncertainty How AI is upending software. The development of AI is also leading to unique naming conventions, with an AI agent being named after a Belgian credit analyst AI agent named.

Healthcare is another area seeing sustained private equity interest. Peak Rock has acquired health tech firm Asembia Peak Rock scoops up, and Parthenon has backed Momentum Life Sciences, a patient support solutions provider Parthenon backs patient support. The medical education gap is also presenting an opportunity for private equity, as the global need for healthcare professionals grows Medical education gap presents.

In digital infrastructure, Sandbrook has reported significant momentum in the European market, having announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a platform focused on developing grid-secured land for data centers Significant momentum in European. Private capital is also seen as a potential accelerator for the UK's defense industry, with substantial spending anticipated over the next decade Private capital will accelerator.

Secondaries Market & Fund Finance

The secondaries market is experiencing evolving dynamics, with investors becoming more comfortable with fund financing in continuation vehicles (CVs) Secondaries investors grow more. Ardian is packaging secondhand fund stakes into a $1 billion debt vehicle Ardian bundles secondaries stakes. Evercore has strengthened its presence in Asia by adding secondaries talent from Harbour Vest Evercore adds secondaries talent. The market also sees ongoing discussions around the self-governance of continuation vehicles, with a call for market practice to be settled lest regulators intervene art self-governance.

European Deal Activity

European private equity firms are actively pursuing deals and expanding their reach. Eurazeo has exited its Spanish hotel portfolio to Extendam Eurazeo exits Spanish hotel portfolio. IK Partners is opening a new office in Madrid and appointing Gonzalo Fernandez-Albiñana as partner IK Partners to open. Nordic Capital-backed Regnology is set to acquire Fed Reporter as part of a U.S. expansion push Nordic Capital-backed Regnology to buy. Cinven and Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well is set to merge with Waterland's EMPWR Cinven, Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well. Inflexion has announced several partner promotions Inflexion announces several promotions.

Global Investor Landscape

The Global Investor 150 ranking provides insight into the world's largest private equity investors. The top 10 investors collectively allocate $1.1 trillion to private equity, with an average allocation of 21% Global Investor 150:. Despite market turbulence, these investors demonstrate strong conviction in the asset class GI 150: leading allocators. One of Japan's most influential LPs is reportedly on the move Side Letter: giant departs. The full ranking of the Global Investor 150 is available Global Investor 150 2026.