Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 5, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Venture Capital & Unicorns

The surge in artificial intelligence investment continues to fuel the creation of new billion-dollar startups, with nearly 90 companies achieving unicorn status already this year nearly 90 new unicorns. This trend is particularly pronounced in Europe, where a new model for developing billion-dollar companies is emerging, with roughly one unicorn minted each week one unicorn week. Companies like Eleven Labs are reportedly seeking a $22 billion valuation in a fresh share sale, indicative of the intense investor interest in AI ventures ElevenLabs targets $22bn. Meanwhile, established tech companies are also seeing significant investor activity; Bending Spoons, an owner of products that have served over a billion users, has gone public, though it remains relatively unknown in the broader market What Bending Spoons. In the U.S., venture capital firms are actively deploying capital, with Thiel Capital's Jack Selby, through Copper Sky Capital, raising a $300 million second fund and securing stakes in promising startups like Etched Thiel Capital's Jack Selby. Energy and biotech also featured in recent large funding rounds, with U.S. startups announcing substantial capital infusions during a recent holiday-shortened week Week’s 10 Biggest Funding.

Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors, executing both new investments and portfolio exits. Blackstone reported its private wealth fund achieved its strongest-ever monthly return, significantly boosted by its investment in AI developer Anthropic. In the hospitality sector, Eurazeo divested its stake in the Spanish hotel portfolio FST Hotels to Extendam, a European specialist in hospitality-focused private equity. Platinum Equity is set to invest in the retailer Grand Appliance, which operates 31 retail locations and five distribution centers across several U.S. Midwestern states. Further demonstrating sector consolidation, GTCR-backed Experity, an on-demand healthcare technology platform, acquired Exdion Healthcare. In a strategic move within the maritime industry, JFLCO-backed Wrist Group, a Danish marine supply provider, acquired MSA, a provider of logistics services for the maritime sector. Truelink Capital made its first platform investment from its Fund II by backing Horwitz, a provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services for commercial and industrial facilities Truelink Capital makes first Fund II.

Sector Focus: AI & Digital Infrastructure

The burgeoning artificial intelligence sector continues to attract significant investment and attention. AI labs are increasingly establishing a presence in areas like London's King's Cross Mapped: AI labs. This rapid growth has also sparked debate, with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's plans to overhaul the UK's AI strategy facing backlash from some quarters Andy Burnham's plan. Simultaneously, the digital infrastructure space is experiencing "significant" momentum in Europe, according to Sandbrook, which announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a platform focused on developing grid-secured land for large-scale data center projects Significant momentum in European. This development aligns with a broader trend of private equity and venture capital firms investing in technology infrastructure to support the expanding digital economy.

European VC Dynamics & Investor Services

Within the European venture capital scene, there are internal discussions regarding investment strategies. Some venture capital firms backed by the European Technology and Innovation Community (ETCI) are reportedly split over a proposal to limit non-European investments, signaling potential tensions over the direction of European VC funding ETCI-backed VC firms split. On the investor services front, the Town of Wellesley is actively seeking an investment consultant to manage its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust, indicating a structured approach to pension fund management Investor Intentions: Wellesley Retirement. The secondaries market is also seeing talent movement, with Evercore adding expertise in Asia by appointing a new individual from Harbour Vest to fill a vacant director role in Singapore Evercore adds secondaries talent. This move underscores the growing importance of the Asian secondaries market.

Regulatory Considerations & Market Practices

The evolution of financial markets is increasingly influenced by regulatory considerations and the establishment of market practices, particularly in areas like continuation vehicles. There are ongoing discussions aimed at standardizing market practices for these structures, with the aim of preempting potential regulatory intervention art self-governance. This suggests a proactive approach from market participants to define clear guidelines for continuation vehicles, reflecting a broader trend towards greater transparency and governance in private capital markets. The EU's long-standing initiative, now in its 30th year, focused on converting startup placements into patents, demonstrates a sustained effort to foster innovation and intellectual property development within the region Inside 30-year EU initiative.