Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Fundraising Activity

Blackstone reported its strongest-ever monthly return for its private wealth fund, largely propelled by its investment in AI developer Anthropic. This surge highlights the continued investor appetite for AI-related ventures. In other news, Eurazeo has divested its Spanish hotel portfolio, FST Hotels, to Extendam, a European private equity firm specializing in hospitality. Meanwhile, IK Partners plans to open a new office in Madrid, signaling a commitment to expanding its European presence, and will appoint Gonzalo Fernandez-Albiñana as a partner. The Town of Wellesley is also seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust, issuing an RFP for these services Wellesley Retirement Board.

AI and Technology Investments

The artificial intelligence sector continues to attract significant capital, with ElevenLabs reportedly seeking a $22 billion valuation in a new share sale, indicating strong investor confidence in AI voice technology. The proliferation of AI labs is also evident, with King's Cross emerging as a hub for these companies. Beyond AI, JFLCO-backed Wrist Group has acquired maritime logistics provider MSA, expanding its footprint in the marine supply sector. GTCR-backed Experity, an on-demand healthcare technology platform, has acquired Exdion Healthcare. In a move to bolster its AI strategy, Andy Burnham has faced backlash over his plans for AI overhaul. Further demonstrating the broad reach of AI, Deep Dive explores how AI is disrupting private equity's traditional software investments, exposing vulnerabilities and increasing uncertainty in a previously favored sector. Investors are advised to quickly identify managers capable of navigating this evolving landscape.

Venture Capital and Startup Funding

Startup placements in Europe have translated into patents through a 30-year EU initiative, showcasing a long-term strategy for innovation. Copper Sky Capital, the venture firm of Jack Selby, is raising a $300 million second fund, with Selby reportedly acquiring stakes in startups like Etched through connections in Arizona. Globally, startup investment hit a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with the second quarter alone seeing over $200 billion poured into ventures, making it the second-largest quarter on record. Energy and AI sectors are leading the funding charge, with Houston-based energy startup Joulent securing a substantial round. In a notable development, Magnify Ventures, an early-stage firm, has raised $46.6 million for its second fund, with notable participation from Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures. Europe is also seeing a new model for billion-dollar startups, producing one unicorn week.

Sector-Specific Deals and Exits

In the healthcare sector, Peak Rock has acquired health tech firm Asembia, which also operates a specialty pharmacy conference. Parthenon has backed Momentum Life Sciences, a patient support solutions provider, with the existing leadership team retaining significant stakes. Truelink Capital made its first platform investment from its Fund II in Horwitz, a provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services for commercial and industrial facilities. In the retail space, Platinum Equity is set to invest in Grand Appliance, which operates 31 retail locations and five distribution centers across the Midwest. The renewable energy sector saw CVC DIF exit its Polish wind portfolio, Klara Renewables, to Actis. RGreen Invest has invested €52.4 million in Geogreen, the holding company of Arverne founder Pierre Brossollet.

Software, Data, and Regulatory Technology

Main Capital and Volpi Capital are actively involved in software deals, with Main Capital-backed Uname IT acquiring Denmark's Auto IT, a software provider for car dealerships. Sandbrook reported significant momentum in European digital infrastructure, having announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a platform focused on developing grid-secured land for large-scale data centers. In the data intelligence space, Corten and Ampersand have acquired Beacon Intelligence, which provides structured data on early-stage drug development. Nordic Capital-backed Regnology, a regulatory technology platform, has agreed to acquire Fed Reporter as part of its U.S. expansion.

Aerospace, Defence, and Infrastructure

Inflexion has exited its investment in aerospace supplier Avantus Aerospace, selling it to U.S. buyout firm Arcline Investment. The defense industry is becoming a focus for private capital, with investors eyeing opportunities stemming from an estimated €9 trillion spending spree over the next decade LPs in defence. Private capital is seen as an accelerator for the UK's defense industry, bringing commercial discipline and scale rather than replacing government funding UK defence industry. In infrastructure, IK Partners plans to open a Madrid office, signaling expansion.

Secondaries Market and LP Relations

Evercore has strengthened its Asia team by hiring secondaries talent from HarbourVest, filling a key role in its Singapore office. The secondaries market is also seeing discussions around continuation vehicle guidance, with parties aiming to settle on market practices to avoid regulatory intervention continuation vehicle guidance. BCI is seeking strong returns from its newly launched capital solutions strategy, noting that while more LPs are participating directly in continuation vehicles and secondaries, they remain the exception. One of Japan's significant and influential LPs is reportedly on the move, according to Side Letter, suggesting shifts in institutional investor strategies.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Divestitures

Cinven Bridgepoint-backed Vitamin Well are set to merge with Waterland's EMPWR, a contract development and manufacturing organization for nutritional bars. Apheon is in talks to acquire Teknimed, a manufacturer of orthopedic bone cements and biomaterials. KKR has agreed to sell its ship leasing platform, Ocean Yield, which holds interests in over 70 vessels across various categories, to AP Moller. In the automotive services sector, Garnett Station is collecting first-round bids for its auto services provider Goodturn, with potential buyers offering 13x-15x EBITDA. Meritus Gas Partners, a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise, has seen its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply acquire helium solutions firm HICO.

European Startup Ecosystem and Funding Trends

Europe's startup landscape is showing signs of a new model for creating billion-dollar companies, with one unicorn week emerging. Efforts are underway to broaden access to the sector, with Common Ventures launching a scheme to help working-class graduates enter startups. Discussions around investment strategies are ongoing, with ETCI-backed VC firms reportedly split over a plan to limit non-European investments. Furthermore, Sifted has mapped out the biggest M&A deals in the first half of the year. The trend of AI startups is also creating competition, with Anthropic's release putting other science startups on the defensive.