Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 5, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Portfolio Activity

Blackstone's private wealth fund posted its strongest-ever monthly return, driven by a significant stake in AI developer Anthropic. In Europe, Eurazeo divested its Spanish hotel portfolio FST Hotels to hospitality-focused private equity firm Extendam. Meanwhile, IK Partners is expanding its reach with the opening of a new office in Madrid, appointing Gonzalo Fernandez-Albiñana as partner. These moves signal continued activity across diverse sectors and geographies for private equity firms.

Venture Capital & Startup Funding

European venture capital firms faced internal division over a proposal to limit non-European investments. Amidst this, AI continues to be a major funding magnet, with ElevenLabs reportedly seeking a $22 billion valuation through a new share sale. The broader trend shows a strong focus on AI, with US startups securing substantial funding in energy and AI, and a notable concentration of AI labs in London's King's Cross area as mapped. Europe's startup ecosystem is also seeing a new model emerge, producing one unicorn per week. In the US, Jack Selby's Copper Sky Capital is raising a $300 million second fund, with early investments in startups like Etched. Early-stage firm Magnify Ventures, backed by Melinda French Gates' Pivotal Ventures, has raised $46.6 million for its second fund Magnify Ventures Fund II.

Sector-Specific Investments & Exits

Sandbrook reported significant momentum in European digital infrastructure, with a €200 million investment in grid-secured land for data centers. The software sector also saw activity, with Main Capital and Volpi Capital closing deals in software. Truelink Capital made its first platform bet from its Fund II, investing in Horwitz, a provider of MEP services for commercial and industrial facilities. In retail, Platinum Equity is set, a retailer with 31 locations across several US states. Healthcare technology is also a target, with Peak Rock acquiring health and GTCR-backed Experity acquiring Exdion Healthcare, an on-demand healthcare technology platform Experity acquires Exdion. Patient support solutions provider Momentum Life Sciences received backing from Parthenon. Corten and Ampersand have acquired Beacon Intelligence, which provides structured data on early-stage drug development Corten, Ampersand acquire Beacon.

The energy sector remains active, with Meritus Gas Partners' subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply acquiring helium solutions firm HICO Meritus Gas Partners subsidiary. In infrastructure, CVC DIF is exiting its Polish wind portfolio to Actis.

Secondary Market & Investor Relations

The secondary market is seeing evolving strategies, with BCI seeking strong returns from its new capital solutions strategy, acknowledging that direct LP participation in continuation vehicles and secondaries remains the exception. Evercore has bolstered its Asia presence by hiring secondaries talent from Harbour Vest. Meanwhile, market practices for continuation vehicles are being closely watched, with a call for self-governance to preempt regulatory intervention. One of Japan's significant LPs is reportedly on the move giant departs, signaling potential shifts in institutional investor positioning. The Town of Wellesley is actively seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust Wellesley Retirement Board RFP.

Regulatory & Strategic Considerations

The impact of AI on private equity's software investments is becoming increasingly apparent, with this year's 'Saa Spocalypse' exposing vulnerabilities and driving a need for managers capable of navigating changing market dynamics AI upending software sweethearts. In the UK, private capital is viewed as a potential accelerator for the defence industry, bringing commercial discipline and scale rather than replacing government funding UK defence industry accelerator. Discussions around AI strategy in the UK have also sparked backlash Andy Burnham's AI strategy backlash. The EU's long-standing initiative to convert startup placements into patents EU initiative turning startups highlights a sustained effort to foster innovation.

Deal Activity & Valuations

Garnett Station is collecting bids for its automotive service provider Goodturn, with potential buyers offering 13x-15x EBITDA. Bain Capital and SoftBank's LY are sweetening their bid for Japanese price-comparison operator Kakaku.com, now offering $4.1 billion and extending their lead over competitor EQT. The acquisition of maritime logistics services provider MSA by JFLCO-backed Wrist Group JFLCO-backed Wrist Group acquires underscores ongoing consolidation in specialized logistics.

Global Funding Trends

Global startup investment hit, with the second quarter of 2026 being the second-largest on record for investor inflows into startups. This surge is largely attributed to the accelerating AI boom, which is also driving funding and exits. The US saw a steady clip of sizable funding rounds during a recent holiday week, with energy and AI leading the way, including a significant round for Houston-based energy startup Joulent Joulent secures biggest round.

Specific Transactions & Portfolio Company News

Nordic Capital-backed Regnology is expanding into the US by acquiring Fed Reporter, a regulatory technology platform. In the automotive services sector, Garnett Station is reportedly seeking buyers for Goodturn Tire, with bids suggesting a valuation of 13x-15x EBITDA Goodturn Tire sale process. US startups announced significant funding rounds, with energy and AI sectors leading the way US startup funding rounds. Meritus Gas Partners, a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise, through its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply, has acquired helium solutions firm HICO Buckeye Welding Supply acquires.