Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 6, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Mega-Deals & Fund Closures

Private equity firms are navigating a complex market with significant deal-making and fundraising activity. Lone Star Funds agreed to acquire Conti Tech from Continental for €4 billion, a substantial transaction in the industrials sector. Simultaneously, CVC Capital Partners successfully closed its European mid-market fund, Catalyst III, at €3 billion, nearly doubling its initial target. In a move signaling a potential major shift in the travel industry, Castlelake secured board backing for a take-private offer of the UK budget carrier easy Jet, valuing the airline at approximately $7.3 billion. Eurazeo also surpassed its fundraising goal with its largest-ever secondaries vehicle, Fund V, raising €2.3 billion.

Sector-Specific Investments & Divestments

The sector focus for private equity remains dynamic, with notable activity in industrials, technology, and infrastructure. Capmont is set to carve out Dyneon, a fluoropolymer manufacturer serving critical sectors like semiconductors and electric vehicles, from 3M Deutschland. In a strategic divestment, CVC agreed to sell D-Marin, which operates 28 marinas across nine countries, to Infra Via. HIG is acquiring a majority stake in Germany's Terras Group, a provider of infrastructure engineering and construction services for mobility and energy sectors. Looking to Asia Pacific, EQT is acquiring parking technology group Orikan, marking a push into the region's mid-market.

Technology & Software Acquisitions

Software companies continue to attract significant private equity interest, with a focus on AI-powered solutions. Bridgepoint is backing Skello, an AI-powered HR management software provider serving 25,000 businesses, with a €200 million minority investment. The broader venture capital environment, while facing uncertainty, is seeing a concentration of investment in megafunds, a strategy that may overlook potentially higher returns from smaller, specialized funds. AI, in particular, is igniting investor enthusiasm, with nearly 90 startups achieving unicorn status so far this year, driven by the technology's potential. Blackstone's private wealth fund posted its strongest monthly return, significantly boosted by its investment in AI developer Anthropic. A substantial $67 billion pension fund is actively seeking bargains in the software sector.

Infrastructure & Cleantech Focus

Investment in cleantech and infrastructure is showing resilience amidst broader market shifts. In the first half of the year, investors poured $15 billion into seed- through growth-stage rounds for cleantech, EV, and sustainability-focused companies, indicating a stabilization of funding as energy demand grows. Foresight sees a strong flow of opportunities in decentralized energy systems, noting that while macroeconomic uncertainty and higher financing costs affect pricing, underlying structural drivers remain robust.

Other Notable Transactions

Beyond these major themes, other significant transactions are reshaping portfolios. Warburg Pincus is exiting Singular Bank, a private banking specialist, selling its stake to a consortium led by ING. The Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) reported its private equity portfolio climbed 26% to approximately $1.4 billion year-on-year, showcasing growth despite a challenging environment. Chinese private equity is undergoing a reset, potentially offering a more disciplined opportunity set for investors who maintain conviction in the market.