Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 14, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Defense Tech and AI Venture Capital Sees Significant Investment

European defense technology is attracting substantial venture capital, with. Project Q, a defense tech firm, has secured €15 million in Series A funding just eleven months after its previous raise. In parallel, Helsing, a defense AI company, has backed by major investors including Goldman Sachs and Lightspeed. Promptwatch, a rival in the PE (private space, raised €6 million in a seed round, indicating broader investor interest in AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield has, highlighting the talent migration towards leading AI companies.

Private Equity Activity Across Sectors and Geographies

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors. CAI Capital to Service Logic Holdings Canada after an eight-year holding period, during which Custom Air completed five add-on acquisitions. Warburg-backed Bond Vet, creating a combined entity managing over 55 clinics. Atlas Holdings-backed Stryten Energy, expanding its manufacturing footprint to 15 facilities across the U.S. AE Industrial, establishing a specialty materials platform. In the flow control sector, Wynnchurch to Ferguson for $1.6 billion, representing a 10x LTM adjusted EBITDA multiple. Broadwing-backed Lehr from Pro Logic ITS, marking its tenth add-on acquisition. Mill Point Capital has completed its acquisition of Total Safety Supplies & Solutions from a Littlejohn & Co. portfolio company, while Comvest Private Equity has. HIG Capital’s OB Streem, a cold-chain logistics provider.

Secondaries Market and GP Financing Show Momentum

The secondaries market is experiencing significant growth, with Ardea Partners, signaling a trend of talent movement in the advisory space. Moelis is also by hiring a team from Evercore. Discussions on the boom in LP-led secondaries highlight how current market conditions are encouraging sellers. Arctos has debuted its GP financing strategy with a $6.2 billion fund, demonstrating continued appetite for capital solutions for general partners.

European Investment Highlights: Defense, Water, and Battery Tech

European investment themes are emerging in defense, water treatment, and battery technology. Bridgepoint has, a firm spun out of the Technical University of Denmark. Nordic Capital sees attractiveness in the water treatment sector, citing significant investment needs and constraints in skilled labor and specialist equipment as key drivers for PE interest. Ardian is set to, with founders and management investing alongside the firm to fuel expansion.

Founder Exits and New Ventures in Tech

Entrepreneurs are continuing to build and exit ventures. One founder who previously sold his startup to Klarna for €110 million has. Harvey's VP of EMEA discussed the firm's approach to M&A, hiring, and expansion, stating, "When we see an opportunity, we’ll go for it." Reed Jobs's is actively involved in biotech, with Jobs focusing on curing cancer.

Data Centers and UK Policy Landscape

The development of data centers faces challenges, with Nscale's £2 billion UK data center project. In the broader UK policy landscape, discussions around the Mansion House Accord one year on indicate a shift towards private markets for UK pension schemes, though the pace is contingent on fee mechanics and addressing the growth capital gap. The influence of individuals on tech policy in the UK is also being closely watched by Sifted.

Institutional Capital Navigating AI Valuations

Institutional capital is actively navigating the valuation gap between public and private markets for AI startups. Sapphire Ventures' Anders Ranum emphasizes the need for a "show me" era, distinguishing winning AI startups from the rest. This comes as AI is making underwriting a tougher prospect, according to Goldman Sachs, and as investors like KBIZ seek domestic blind-pool PE/VC funds for 2026, planning to commit 300 billion won to these funds. Sixth Street is also as part of its regional expansion.