Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits

Blackstone's private wealth fund achieved its strongest monthly return on record, largely driven by its investment in AI developer Anthropic. In a separate transaction, Eurazeo divested its stake in the Spanish hotel portfolio FST Hotels to Extendam, a European private equity firm specializing in hospitality. The Danish marine supply provider and logistics firm, Wrist Group, acquired maritime logistics services provider MSA, with backing from JFLCO. Platinum Equity is set to invest in retailer Grand Appliance, which operates 31 locations across four Midwestern states. GTCR-backed Experity, an on-demand healthcare technology platform, acquired Exdion Healthcare. Meanwhile, Peak Rock has acquired health tech firm Asembia, which also runs a specialty pharmacy conference. Truelink Capital made its first platform investment from Fund II in Horwitz, a provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services for commercial and industrial facilities Truelink Capital's platform bet.

Venture Capital & Startup Funding

ElevenLabs is reportedly seeking a $22 billion valuation through a new share sale, signaling strong investor interest in AI voice technology. In the broader venture capital space, U.S. startups announced significant funding rounds, with energy and AI sectors leading the pack during a shortened holiday week startup funding rounds. Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures backed Magnify Ventures' $46.6 million Fund II, an early-stage firm. Jack Selby's venture firm, Copper Sky Capital, is raising a $300 million second fund, with a focus on startups connected to Arizona Thiel Capital's Jack Selby. Common Ventures launched a scheme aimed at placing working-class graduates into startups Common Ventures scheme. Separately, European VC firms are divided over a proposal to limit non-European investments.

Sector Focus: AI & Technology

AI development continues to draw significant investment, with Anthropic's release prompting defensive strategies from science startups. The King's Cross area has become a hub for AI laboratories AI labs in King's Cross. The discussion around AI's impact extends to private equity's software investments, with the current market downturn exposing vulnerabilities in previously favored sectors AI upending software sweethearts. In the UK, plans to overhaul AI strategy have sparked controversy AI strategy sparks backlash. The convergence of AI and physical infrastructure is also gaining traction, with founders exploring opportunities in "physical AI" physical AI bets.

European Market Activity

IK Partners is establishing a Madrid office and appointing Gonzalo Fernandez-Albiñana as a partner. In the digital infrastructure sector, Sandbrook reported significant momentum, having announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a European platform developing grid-secured land for data centers European digital infra momentum. Main Capital and Volpi Capital were active in software deals, with Main Capital-backed Uname IT acquiring Denmark's Auto IT, a software provider for automotive retail stakeholders UnameIT picks up Auto IT. In healthcare technology, Corten and Ampersand acquired Beacon Intelligence, which provides structured data on early-stage drug development Corten, Ampersand acquire Beacon. Parthenon is backing Momentum Life Sciences, a patient support solutions provider Parthenon backs Momentum Life.

Infrastructure & Energy Transitions

CVC DIF, the infrastructure strategy of CVC, has agreed to sell Klara Renewables, a portfolio of six operational wind farms in Poland, to Actis. RGreen Invest is backing Geogreen with a €52.4 million investment RGreen Invest backs Geogreen. In the regulatory technology space, Nordic Capital-backed Regnology will acquire Fed Reporter as part of its U.S. expansion Regnology to buy Fed Reporter.

Secondaries & Fund Management

Evercore has expanded its secondary market talent in Asia with hires from Harbour Vest. The Town of Wellesley is seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust Wellesley seeks consultant. BCI is targeting "good returns" from its newly launched capital solutions strategy, noting that while more LPs are directly participating in continuation vehicles and secondaries, they remain an exception BCI capital solutions strategy. Market participants are urged to reach consensus on market practices for continuation vehicles to preempt regulatory intervention continuation vehicle guidance.

Strategic Mergers & Acquisitions

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 the orthopedic bone cement business of Teknimed, a manufacturer of orthopedic bone cements and biomaterials Apheon acquire Teknimed. Bain Capital and SoftBank's LY Corp have sweetened their bid for Japanese price-comparison operator Kakaku.com to $4.1 billion, increasing their lead over EQT Bain Capital, SoftBank sweeten Kakaku bid. In the aerospace sector, European mid-market firm Inflexion has agreed to sell Avantus Aerospace, a global supplier of C-Class components, to U.S. buyout firm Arcline Investment Inflexion exits aerospace supplier. KKR is divesting its stake in the ship leasing platform Ocean Yield, which holds interests in over 70 vessels across various segments, to AP Moller KKR agrees to sell.

Investor Relations & Market Trends

Private capital is seen as an accelerator for the UK's defense industry, bringing commercial discipline and scale, though it should not replace government funding. Investors are closely watching opportunities in the defense sector, anticipating significant spending over the next decade LPs eye defence strategies. One of Japan's most influential LPs is reportedly on the move, and blurred investment lines could benefit larger private capital firms Japan's influential LP departs. The European Union's 30-year initiative focused on turning startup placements into patents continues EU startup patent initiative. Europe is demonstrating a new model for billion-dollar startups, with one unicorn emerging weekly Europe's new unicorn model.

Mid-Market Transactions

Garnett Station is reportedly 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, acquired helium solutions firm HICO through its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply Meritus Gas Partners acquires.