Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Private Equity Funds Raise Billions

Harbour Vest Partners closed its seventh co-investment programme at $4.75bn, surpassing its target. The fund, HCF VII, focuses on direct co-investments. In other fundraising news, Ares backed Firebird Music's $750m catalogue acquisition fund, partnering with The Raine Group to finance music rights acquisitions.

AI and Cybersecurity Drive Venture Funding

AI continued to dominate venture funding. Two of these deals involved billion-dollar financings for AI infrastructure and cybersecurity companies. Separately, a lawsuit was filed by college application platform Fizz, which of sharing its confidential information with a rival. Yann LeCun's newly launched fund has shut down due to exclusivity relationships.

Deal Activity Spans Healthcare and Technology

CenterGate Capital, which operates eleven dental laboratories across Canada. In the healthcare sector, Apollo, Kain, and OMERS are targeting primary care, while KKR for medical device innovation. HR tech also saw significant activity, with Shore Capital, Lightyear, and Bridgepoint signing deals, and Apollo making a bid for EasyJet.

Global Investors Eye European and Asian Markets

Warburg Pincus agreed to invest in CreditorWatch, an Australian commercial credit reporting platform, to expand its Asian presence. Meanwhile, EQT, Advent, and KKR are reportedly considering a takeover of Qiagen, a European molecular testing company. SoftBank Corp and Pay Pay are in discussions to invest in Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese owner of the 7-Eleven chain as a buyout saga continues.

Venture Capital Trends and Challenges

Reed Jobs' firm Yosemite is. Despite a post-pandemic biotech market correction, the firm is active. Separately, a report indicates that "tourist investors" are, a sector once highly favored. Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures shared common mistakes he has observed.

High Valuations and Startup Funding

Mercor is reportedly in talks for a $20bn valuation, a significant increase from its October valuation of $10bn as talks progress. Pasqal's SPAC filings reveal over $500m in funding and potential risks of "French state influence". Other intriguing startup deals include companies developing AI for biology and solutions for.

Investor Intentions and Consulting Services

The Minnesota State Board of Investment is. This RFP indicates a strategic review of investment advisory services.