Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 15, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking Accelerates Across Sectors

Private equity firms have been actively pursuing acquisitions and investments across a diverse range of industries. Green Arrow, backed by CAI Capital, acquired three transportation technology firms, while Innovatus-backed Meet The People scooped up ad agency The Loomis Agency and its digital marketing arm, iluminere. Kaltroco invested in the school dental program Smile America Partners to support its growth, and Gryphon-backed SMG acquired the health, safety, and environmental services firm Cross Safety, including its US and Mexico operations. Great Point-backed Vetn Care expanded its community of veterinary hospitals by acquiring Holistic Veterinary Care.

In the healthcare and life sciences space, Archi Med took biopharma firm Esperion Therapeutics private for $1.1 billion. Warburg Pincus-led investor group is set to acquire a controlling stake in pharmacy Pantherx Rare from sellers Nautic Partners, General Atlantic, and The Vistria Group. Inflexion is acquiring German provider of single-use medical consumables Primed Group from Paragon Partners. Battery Ventures-backed ORTEC completed an add-on acquisition of TOBA HR Solutions, expanding its regional healthcare client base. Atlas Holdings-backed Stryten Energy acquired KPS-backed C&D Trojan Battery, creating a significant battery manufacturing and component facility network across the US. AE Industrial acquired powder spray producer Powder Alloy to establish a specialty materials platform.

Other notable transactions include KKR taking a majority stake in Thomson Reuters’ global print business for $500 million, as part of a broader industry consolidation trend that also saw Apollo and Clearlake acquiring other private markets firms. Lightyear Capital backed tax and accounting firm Prosperity Partners, with Unity Partners retaining a minority stake. Odyssey Investment invested in packaging and logistics firm Trans Pak to support its growth. IMB Partners invested in heavy civil contractor Strategic Land Services, which performs work for electric grid expansion and maintenance. ACP-backed Marco acquired industrial products supplier Rocket Seals, a provider of specialty rubber, plastic, and metal components. Broadwing-backed Lehr acquired emergency vehicle upfitting assets of Pro Logic ITS as its tenth add-on acquisition. Wynnchurch exited its investment in flow control specialist Flo Works to Ferguson for $1.6 billion. Mill Point Capital completed the acquisition of Total Safety Supplies & Solutions from Littlejohn & Co. portfolio company Total Safety US, while Comvest Private Equity rebranded as Vesterra Capital Partners. HIG Capital’s OB Streem acquired Med Frigo in Greece, focusing on cold-chain facilities for fish exports.

AI and Technology Investments Highlight Growth Areas

Investments in artificial intelligence and technology startups continue to surge, with significant funding rounds and strategic partnerships emerging. Neko, a health tech company, raised $700 million in a Series C funding round, achieving profitability at the clinic level with 100,000 members. OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is reportedly in talks to launch an AI drug discovery startup with a valuation of $2 billion, signaling strong investor interest in AI's application in life sciences. David Beckham’s health drink startup IM8 secured $1 billion from General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund, which focuses on longevity vitamin drinks. Nous Research, an AI agent maker, is in discussions for new funding at a $1.5 billion valuation, aiming to raise at least $75 million led by Robot Ventures.

In the broader tech landscape, a duo formerly with Palantir and Dropbox is assisting companies like Eleven Labs, Notion, and Wiz in accelerating AI-generated code development. Cybersecurity and privacy startups saw robust funding in Q2 2026, attracting $4.4 billion in seed-through-growth-stage financing. Defence tech startup Project Q landed a €15 million Series A round just 11 months after its previous raise. Peec rival Promptwatch raised a €6 million seed round. Helsing, an AI company, raised $1.8 billion backed by Goldman and Lightspeed. Anthropic recruited Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield for its AI compute team.

In Europe, Neko's approach to behavior change through avatars was highlighted, alongside a mapping of 89 European biotech startups reshaping medicine. Peter Sarlin’s Nest AI aims to reduce Europe's reliance on foreign models for defense. The former founder of a startup sold to Klarna for €110 million has raised €12 million to build a new venture. Harvey's VP of EMEA discussed M&A, hiring, and expanding beyond law.

Secondaries Market and Investor Activity Expand

The secondaries market is increasingly being utilized as a sophisticated capital formation tool, allowing investors to unlock liquidity, retain high-conviction assets, and reposition platforms for growth. Late-stage secondary offerings are transforming access to private markets. Asante is building its APAC secondaries business with a new hire from Evercore, and Ardea Partners has tapped an MD from PJT for secondaries advisory, reflecting a trend of talent movement in the advisory and buyside sectors. Moelis is also building out its LP-led secondaries business, with a team joining from Evercore. LGT Capital Partners, Dawson Partners, and Pomona Capital are discussing how market conditions are encouraging sellers to the secondaries market.

Investor intentions reveal a growing demand for private markets. CalPERS posted a 17 percent private equity return, while Ardian closed a CV on a 2.5-year-old asset, and Asante is building its secondaries business. InPact Partners, a Swiss LP consultancy, is expanding into new private equity areas and deepening GP partnerships. Temasek-linked Vertex is scaling back ambitions with a new growth fund, seeking $250 million for Vertex Growth III, making it at least 40% smaller than its predecessor. Chicago FABF is issuing an RFP for investment consultants for its $1.66 billion AUM. KBIZ is seeking domestic blind-pool PE/VC funds for 2026, with a commitment of 300 billion won to domestic blind funds. Sixth Street is eyeing Asian sports deals as part of its regional expansion, exploring opportunities in Japan and India.

Sector Focus: Water, Defense, and Battery Storage Attract PE Interest

Private equity is showing increasing interest in specific sectors, including water treatment, defense, and battery storage. Nordic Capital's Andreas Näsvik highlighted the attractiveness of the water management sector, noting the significant investment required and the sector's constraints in skilled labor, specialist equipment, and engineering expertise. Bridgepoint is backing a Danish defense business, signing a deal for a majority stake in UMag, a founder-led company spun out of the Technical University of Denmark. Ardian is set to buy a stake in a German BMS company and will take a majority stake in German battery-tech firm Munich Electrification, with founders and management retaining minority stakes to support expansion.

In other sector-specific news, Nscale’s £2 billion UK data center project has been hit by grid delays. The Mansion House Accord one year on suggests that UK pension schemes’ shift towards private markets is supported by policy and infrastructure, but the pace depends on fee mechanics and closing the growth capital gap. Discussions about Europe’s entrepreneurs pushing for growth while capital markets are slower to respond were also noted. The people set to influence tech policy in Burnham’s Britain were also identified.