Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Fund Activity

Private equity firms continue to navigate a dynamic market, with deal activity spanning various sectors and geographies. Blackstone's private wealth fund saw its strongest monthly return driven by a significant stake in AI developer Anthropic. In Europe, Eurazeo exited its Spanish hotel portfolio to Extendam, a specialist in hospitality private equity. The firm also saw Inflexion announce several promotions to partner, signaling internal growth. Meanwhile, Nordic Capital-backed Regnology plans to expand into the U.S. by acquiring Fed Reporter Regnology to buy Fed Reporter. In the U.S., Platinum Equity is investing, which operates 31 locations, and GTCR-backed Experity acquired healthcare technology platform Exdion Healthcare GTCR-backed Experity acquires Exdion. Monomoy Capital acquired the Jiffy Lube franchise from a Shell subsidiary for $1.3 billion Monomoy Capital acquires Jiffy.

AI, Technology, and Startup Investments

The artificial intelligence boom continues to fuel significant investment, with venture capital firms actively seeking opportunities in AI labs and related infrastructure. ElevenLabs is reportedly targeting a $22 billion valuation through a fresh share sale. The concentration of AI companies in London's King's Cross area is notable Mapped: AI labs in King’s Cross. This surge in AI has also prompted discussions on the ethical implications and talent acquisition strategies, with Andy Burnham's AI strategy and calls for HR and finance departments to collaborate more closely on AI integration Headcount paradox: AI forces HR/finance unity. Startups are also exploring physical AI applications Two bets in physical AI. On the funding front, U.S. startups announced substantial rounds, with energy and AI sectors leading the way Week's biggest funding rounds. Melinda Gates' venture firm is backing Magnify Ventures' $46.6 million Fund II. In a notable move for venture capital, Ashton Kutcher is leaving to launch a new firm with Morgan Beller, focusing on infrastructure.

European Startup Ecosystem and Funding Models

Europe's startup scene is demonstrating a new model for generating billion-dollar companies, with one unicorn emerging weekly week: Europe's new model. This growth is supported by initiatives like a 30-year EU program that converts startup placements into patents EU initiative turns placements. However, internal divisions are emerging within venture capital firms, with some ETCI-backed VC firms reportedly split over plans to limit non-European investments ETCI-backed VC firms split. The region is also seeing significant momentum in digital infrastructure, with Sandbrook announcing a €200 million investment in Krios, a platform for data center development. Main Capital and Volpi Capital are active in software deals, with Volpi Capital taking.

Secondaries Market and Fund Financing

The secondaries market is experiencing increased sophistication, with firms like Ardian packaging secondhand fund stakes into debt vehicles. Ardian is bundling stakes into a $1bn debt vehicle amidst a booming CFO market. Secondaries investors are also demonstrating greater comfort with fund financing in continuation vehicles (CVs), often requesting advisers source such financing to optimize returns Secondaries investors grow comfortable. Evercore has added secondaries talent in Asia from Harbour Vest. Behrman has completed a $250 million continuation fund for Shurco, with Coller Capital serving as the lead investor Behrman completes $250m continuation.

Sector-Specific Deals and Investments

Private equity continues to target a diverse range of sectors, from healthcare to infrastructure and consumer goods. In healthcare, Peak Rock acquired health, and Parthenon is backing patient support solutions provider Momentum Life Sciences Parthenon backs Momentum Life. Corten and Ampersand acquired Beacon Intelligence, which provides data on early-stage drug development Corten, Ampersand acquire Beacon. In infrastructure, CVC DIF has exited its Polish wind portfolio to Actis CVC DIF exits Polish wind portfolio. RGreen Invest is backing Geogreen with a €52.4 million investment RGreen Invest backs Geogreen. The maritime logistics sector saw JFLCO-backed Wrist Group acquire maritime logistics services provider MSA JFLCO-backed Wrist Group acquires. In the automotive sector, WILsquare-backed Automotive Color & Supply acquired Ohio Paint Supply WILsquare-backed Automotive Color &, and Monomoy Capital acquired Jiffy Lube for $1.3 billion Monomoy Capital acquires Jiffy. Meritus Gas Partners’ subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply acquired helium solutions firm HICO Meritus Gas Partners acquires.

Institutional Investor Activity and Mandates

Institutional investors are actively seeking opportunities in private equity. The Town of Wellesley is seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and OPEB trust Wellesley Retirement Board seeks. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has issued an RFP for a private equity buyout mandate, with plans to commit up to $20 billion MWRA issues RFP. In Japan, one of the country's most influential LPs is reportedly on the move A giant LP departs Japan.

Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Developments

Strategic partnerships and corporate actions are shaping the private equity landscape. Brookfield has expanded its financing with Bloom Energy to $25 billion, a fivefold increase, to build and finance AI infrastructure. In the beverage sector, Cinven and Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well is merging with Waterland's EMPWR Cinven, Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well. KKR is exiting its ship lessor Ocean Yield KKR to exit Ocean Yield, while Bain Capital and SoftBank's LY are sweetening their bid for Japanese price-comparison operator Kakaku.com to $4.1 billion Bain Capital and SoftBank sweeten Kakaku bid. Inflexion has sold aerospace supplier Avantus to Arcline Investment Inflexion exits Avantus Aerospace.

AI's Impact on Software and Defense

The pervasive influence of AI is reshaping sectors previously considered safe havens for private equity. The "Saa Spocalypse" has exposed vulnerabilities in the software sector, requiring investors to identify managers capable of navigating the evolving landscape AI upending private equity’s. Simultaneously, private capital is poised to act as an accelerator for the UK's defense industry, bringing commercial discipline and scale, though not as a replacement for government funding Private capital for UK. Investors are actively eyeing opportunities within the defense sector, anticipating significant spending over the next decade LPs look at defence-related PE strategies.

Fund Closures and Capital Solutions

Fundraising efforts remain active, with several firms announcing successful closes. Hamilton Lane closed its sixth direct equity fund at $3.8 billion, marking its largest fund to date. BCI is seeking "good returns" from its newly launched capital solutions strategy, aiming to tap into LP demand for liquidity BCI seeks returns.