Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Fundraising

Private equity firms are actively pursuing acquisitions across diverse sectors, with a notable increase in activity within IT services, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Agellus Capital-backed Compass MSP acquired managed IT and cybersecurity firm The Logic Group, while Renovus-backed TJP purchased life sciences commercial operations firm FX2 Virtual. In the industrial space, I Squared is set to acquire Milestone Environmental from SK Capital, and Arlington has launched a new naval services platform by combining Eptec Defence and AMP United. NMS-backed Surplus Solutions acquired health tech firm DCM Bio Services, and Rotunda-backed RMH Systems snapped up material handling integrator Top Shelf. Adding to the industrial consolidation, Allied Industrial-backed Mat Tech acquired Hook Set Transportation, and Argosy took a controlling stake in logistics firm K&L Freight Management.

The professional services sector continues to attract PE interest, with Unity Partners acquiring Meaden & Moore, a firm specializing in forensic and accounting services. This acquisition, which Unity Partners expects to lead to further add-ons, sits at the intersection of accounting and insurance services. Similarly, Thirty-5 Capital-backed Paddletek acquired performance paddle company PIKKL, and Investcorp-backed KSS picked up Strack Scale Service, a provider of industrial weighing systems. Sentinel acquired cake decorations supplier Deco Pac from Kohlberg, and HCPI sold Epicurean Butter to Solina USA.

In the realm of sports and entertainment, Blue Owl has acquired a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, marking the sixth NBA franchise for its Home Court Partners fund. This move underscores the growing trend of private equity investing in sports franchises as alternative assets.

Fundraising & Investment Strategies

Fundraising remains active, with firms like Chemistry Ventures seeking to raise $500 million for its second fund. The secondaries market is also seeing significant activity, with Patria’s Patrick Knechtl noting continued dealflow despite persistent distribution issues, and Eurazeo successfully closing its fifth secondaries program at €2.3 billion, exceeding its target. Eurazeo also reported that its €2.3bn Fund V raised more than double its predecessor. In contrast, some LPs are consolidating investments into megafunds, a strategy that Crunchbase News suggests may sacrifice higher potential returns for perceived safety amidst economic uncertainty.

The energy transition is a key focus for several firms. Blackstone is acquiring Dresser Utility Solutions from First Reserve through its new energy transition fund, marking the first deal for Blackstone Energy Transition Partners V. Permira is making a strategic investment in Iberian engineering group Quadrante as part of its energy transition strategy, with Permira also set to invest in Quadrante's consulting services. Foresight sees a strong flow of opportunities in decentralized energy systems, despite macroeconomic headwinds influencing pricing.

Venture Capital & Technology Investments

The venture capital landscape is heavily influenced by artificial intelligence, with Crunchbase News reporting that North American startup funding shattered records in the first half of 2026, totaling $392 billion, largely driven by AI. AI startups are achieving unicorn status at an unprecedented rate, with Crunchbase News noting nearly 90 new unicorns minted this year. Khosla Ventures led a $120 million Series C round for AI law startup Norm, valuing it at $1.2 billion. Hive raised $15 million for its "silicon brain" technology promising to cut operational costs by 80%, and Google backed Proxima Fusion in a €411 million raise.

In the deeptech sector, Sifted highlighted award-winning women building deeptech startups in 2026. Meanwhile, IQM investors applauded its debut on public markets, and Thought Machine has reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue, with its CEO aiming to double it before a potential IPO.

Sector-Specific Deals & Exits

Consolidation and divestitures are evident across various industries. GTCR-backed Corza Medical is selling its biosurgery business unit, including the Tacho Sil product portfolio, to EQT, with EQT also looking to acquire parking technology group Orikan in Asia. CVC is selling its stake in premium marina operator D-Marin to Infra Via Capital Partners, having previously acquired ingredients group Irca. Lone Star Funds is set to acquire Conti Tech from Continental for €4 billion, a significant deal in the industrials sector.

In other transactions, Advent has taken a 7% stake in Avio to support its solid rocket motor expansion, and Advent-backed Cobham Ultra plans to sell its undersea warfare solutions provider Ultra Maritime for $3.45 billion. Summit Partners is exiting Dreampath Diagnostics to Halma, while Warburg Pincus will exit Singular Bank to a consortium led by ING. Capmont plans to carve out Dyneon from 3M Deutschland, a fluoropolymer manufacturer.

Appointments & Strategic Initiatives

Firms are bolstering their leadership and investment teams. AEA Investors has appointed Adam Biren as partner and head of capital formation for the Americas, based in New York. Bridge Growth appointed Prosper Vignone as senior principal to its investment team, and Halifax has tapped Rob Holcomb as an operating executive.

Novo Holdings, managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's $36 billion in investments, is expanding its planetary health portfolio and considering allocations for private equity GPs, with a focus on energy and Asia. Mubadala Capital has opened its $25 billion credit platform to outside investors for the first time. In the UK, Liz Kendall expressed a desire to remain as UK tech secretary, a role that could influence the sector's development.

Fund Structures & Investor Intentions

The structure of funds and investor intentions are evolving. Asante Capital partners suggest that trust between managers and investors is paramount in the current fundraising environment. JRT Partners intends to increase its exposure to secondaries, with a focus on opportunities across the US, Australia, and Western Europe. CNPADC is seeking experienced investment consultants across asset classes. The discussion around private equity models continues, with Scott Hart of Step Stone Group noting that while the model isn't broken, the illusion of uniform success is dissipating. CVC closed its mid-market fund Catalyst III at €3 billion, nearly double its target.