Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Fundraising

Private equity firms have been active across sectors, from technology to traditional industries. Blackstone's private wealth fund saw its strongest-ever monthly return, fueled by its investment in AI developer Anthropic. In the U.S., Platinum Equity is investing in retailer Grand Appliance, which operates 31 locations across four states. Monomoy Capital acquired quick lube franchise Jiffy Lube for $1.3 billion from a Shell USA subsidiary.

Several firms have focused on the industrial and services sectors. JFLCO-backed Wrist Group acquired maritime logistics provider MSA, while Meritus Gas Partners' subsidiary helium solutions firm HICO. Truelink Capital made its first platform investment from Fund II in Horwitz, a provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. Harvest Partners scooped up Integra Testing Services from Keystone Capital Management, and Garnett Station is reportedly collecting bids for auto services provider Goodturn, with potential buyers offering 13x-15x EBITDA.

In the technology space, GTCR-backed Experity acquired Exdion Healthcare, an on-demand healthcare technology platform. Corten and Ampersand acquired Beacon Intelligence, which provides structured data on early-stage drug development. Peak Rock scooped up health tech firm Asembia, which also runs a specialty pharmacy conference. Meanwhile, Volpi Capital took a majority stake in archiving software firm kgs, which serves SAP environments.

European firms have also been busy. Eurazeo exited its Spanish hotel portfolio, FST Hotels, to Extendam. IK Partners is opening a Madrid office and appointing Gonzalo Fernandez-Albiñana as partner. Nordic Capital-backed Regnology will acquire Fed Reporter to expand in the U.S. In infrastructure, CVC DIF sold its Polish wind portfolio, Klara Renewables, to Actis. RGreen Invest backed Geogreen with a €52.4 million investment.

Venture Capital & Startup Ecosystem

The venture capital world continues to see significant activity, particularly in AI and energy. The Town of Wellesley is seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and OPEB trust. Ashton Kutcher is leaving Sound Ventures to launch a new firm with Morgan Beller, focusing on infrastructure beneath AI companies. Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures is backing Magnify Ventures’ $46.6 million Fund II.

AI remains a dominant theme, with labs increasingly clustering in areas like London's King's Cross Mapped: AI labs. However, the rapid advancements from labs like Anthropic are also putting other science startups on the defensive Anthropic release puts science. European startups are showing resilience, with one unicorn emerging weekly One unicorn week. Despite a global tech downturn that has seen over 127,000 tech workers laid off in the U.S. in 2025 and 2026 Crunchbase Tech Layoffs Tracker, U.S. startups announced sizable funding rounds in a recent holiday week, with energy and AI leading Week’s 10 Biggest Funding.

There are also efforts to broaden access to the startup ecosystem. Common Ventures launched a scheme to place working-class graduates into startups. On a different note, Jack Selby's VC firm, Copper Sky Capital, is raising a $300 million second fund, with Selby taking stakes in startups like Etched through Arizona connections.

Secondaries & Fund Strategies

The secondaries market is seeing continued evolution, with firms packaging assets and expanding geographical reach. Ardian is packaging some of its secondhand fund stakes into approximately $1 billion of debt through a collateralized fund obligation. Evercore has added secondaries talent in Asia from Harbour Vest. Hamilton Lane closed its sixth direct equity fund at $3.8 billion, its largest to date.

Firms are also launching new strategies to capture returns. BCI is seeking 'good returns' from its newly launched capital solutions strategy. The market for continuation vehicles is evolving, with discussions around self-governance and market practice becoming more prominent art self-governance. Investors are also eyeing opportunities in defense, with an estimated €9 trillion spending spree anticipated over the next decade What LPs looking.

Sector-Specific Deals & Trends

Private capital is playing a role in various specialized sectors, from digital infrastructure to healthcare and aerospace. There is "significant" momentum in European digital infrastructure, with Sandbrook announcing a €200 million investment in Krios, a platform focused on developing grid-secured land for data centers ‘Significant’ momentum. Main Capital and Volpi Capital are active in software deals, with Main Capital-backed Uname IT acquiring Denmark's Auto IT Main Capital-backed UnameIT picks.

In healthcare, Parthenon backed patient support solutions provider Momentum Life Sciences. Apheon is in talks to acquire the orthopedic bone cement business of Teknimed Apheon acquire Teknimed. In aerospace, Inflexion exited aerospace supplier Avantus to Arcline Investment. The shipping sector has seen considerable attention, with KKR agreeing to sell its Ocean Yield ship leasing platform to AP Moller.

Mergers and acquisitions are also shaping industries. Cinven and Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well will combine with Waterland's EMPWR, a contract development and manufacturing organization for nutritional bars Cinven’s Vitamin Well merge. In the automotive aftermarket, WILsquare-backed Automotive Color & Ohio Paint Supply.

Regulatory & Strategic Considerations

Regulatory and strategic shifts are influencing private equity operations. Discussions around the EU initiative turning startup placements into patents over 30 years are ongoing Inside 30-year EU initiative. In the UK, private capital is seen as an accelerator for the defense industry, bringing commercial discipline and scale rather than replacing government funding Private capital will accelerator.

The AI sector is also facing scrutiny and strategic realignments. While AI startups are attracting substantial investment, there are also concerns about the concentration of power and the need for broader AI strategies Andy Burnham's plan overhaul. The "Saa Spocalypse" has exposed vulnerabilities in the software sector, requiring investors to identify managers capable of navigating an evolving landscape Deep Dive: How AI. There are also emerging areas like "physical AI" where founders are making bets two bets founders.

Fundraising & Investor Intentions

Institutional investors are actively seeking to deploy capital and review their portfolios. The MWRA is issuing an RFP for a private equity buyout mandate, planning to commit up to $20 billion. One of Japan's most influential LPs is reportedly on the move Side Letter: giant departs. Meanwhile, European venture capital firms are reportedly split over plans to limit non-European investments Exclusive: ETCI-backed VC firms.

Exits & Valuations

Firms are continuing to realize investments. Bending Spoons priced its Nasdaq IPO at $29.00 per share, above its marketed range, allowing backers to cash in. Peak Rock sold geospatial services firm SAM to New Mountain.

In the AI space, Eleven Labs is reportedly targeting a $22 billion valuation with a fresh share sale ElevenLabs targets $22bn valuation. The broader global startup investment hit a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with the second quarter being the second-largest on record Global Startup Investment Hit.