Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 11, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Fundraising Activity Surges Amidst Sectoral Focus

Private equity firms have seen a strong fundraising period, with Harbour Vest Partners closing its seventh co-investment programme at $4.75bn, exceeding its target. Fundamentally, Q2 fundraising, buoyed by a substantial $49bn raised for MGX Fund I in June, contributing to a. the Minnesota State Board of Investment is seeking a general investment consultant, while Korean entities like the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance and Prevention Fund and the Korean Teachers' Credit Union are looking to commit significant capital to domestic blind funds in 2026. The market for secondaries is also showing signs of life, with advisers expecting activity to pick up in H2 after a volatile first half.

AI and Tech Continue to Draw Major VC Investment

Venture capital continues to heavily favor AI and technology, with AI-related startups, including two billion-dollar deals for AI infrastructure and cybersecurity. In a notable development, Yann LeCun’s newly launched fund has shut down due to exclusivity relationships. Legal disputes are also emerging, as college app Fizz with a rival. Meanwhile, intriguing startup deals include AI applications for dispatching services and biology, alongside companies aiming to streamline private market operations. The broader European tech sector, once a darling for investors, has seen tourist investors fall out of love with the once-hotter segments.

Sector-Specific Deals Across Healthcare, HR Tech, and More

Private equity firms are actively pursuing opportunities across various sectors. In healthcare, Apollo, Kain, and OMERS are, while KKR has launched a new platform, Allyntra, to. Decathlon Capital Partners will for neurodegenerative diseases. In HR technology, Shore Capital, Lightyear, and Bridgepoint have signed deals, and Coalesce-backed Decision HR has acquired payroll service Paymasters Inc. PE-backed Pye-Barker Response TECH, a security and life safety firm. In other transactions, CenterGate Capital has, and Warburg Pincus is backing Australian credit agency Creditor Watch to drive Asian growth.

Mega-Deals and Strategic Investments Shape Markets

Mega-deals are increasingly defining the global M&A market. SoftBank Corp and Pay Pay are reportedly in talks to invest in Seven & i Holdings, the owner of 7-Eleven. EQT, Advent, and KKR are reportedly considering a takeover of molecular testing group Qiagen. Ares has backed Firebird Music's new $750m fund to acquire music rights catalogues. In the environmental services sector, Ares, Littlejohn, Palladium, and TPG are among firms, while Kohlberg is exiting its investment in a cake decorations company. Searchlight's James Redmayne sees B2B events and blue-collar services as "high-conviction" areas, noting that the bid-ask gap on quality assets is narrowing.

European Venture Sees Strongest Quarter in Four Years

Europe experienced its strongest venture funding quarter in four years, with startups raising approximately $24 billion in Q2, a significant increase of about a third. This surge in funding is partly attributed to sovereign capital, global chipmakers, and serial investors behind Europe's new unicorns. Quantum Diamonds has secured a €91m round with backing from World Fund and IQ Capital. Europe's newest defence unicorn has also raised $175m in a Series B round. Looking at specific trends, "physical AI" is viewed as Europe’s, and there is a notable rise in stealth founders using AI to disrupt their former industries.

Operational Changes and Legal Battles in the PE Space

Operational shifts and legal entanglements are also making headlines. Blue Wolf Capital has appointed Anne Bailey as lead operating partner, with George Judd continuing as an operating partner at the firm. O2 Investment Partners has tapped Micah Dawson as an operating partner to focus on driving value across its portfolio. In a legal development, Fizz's lawsuit against Sidechat includes allegations that a Maveron VC shared confidential information. Separately, a report by Sifted indicates that the exclusivity relationships emerging within Yann LeCun's newly launched fund have led to its closure. Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures has shared common mistakes he’s observed after.