Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Transactions and Sector Focus

Private equity firms have been active across a diverse range of sectors, with a notable surge in activity targeting emergency medical services and building maintenance. KKR, Ares, Grant Avenue, and Tiger Infrastructure Partners have all invested in ambulance and medical transport services, while Charterhouse Capital Partners is set to acquire French building maintenance group Batibig, a business generating over €500 million in annual revenue. Charterhouse is also acquiring an emergency building repairs business. In the healthcare space, Avathon-backed Summit acquired a health-focused continuing education provider, and Health Wave Partners picked up a memory care community. Serent-backed Raintree acquired a health AI firm. Ardian acquired a majority stake in German digital healthcare recruitment platform Pflegia. Archi Med is taking biopharma firm Esperion Therapeutics private for $1.1 billion.

Technology and AI Investments Draw Significant Capital

The technology sector continues to be a major focus for private equity and venture capital, particularly with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. EQT's €5 billion Scaleup Fund is reportedly in talks to lead a funding round for AI firm Mistral. Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, and Anthropic have launched an AI services provider called Ode with Anthropic, backed by significant capital from Apollo Global Management, General Atlantic, GIC, Goldman Sachs, Leonard Green, and Sequoia Capital. Similarly, Ode with Anthropic is launching as PE firms team up with AI specialists, with Blackstone, Apollo, and KKR providing $5.34 billion to Williams projects. Francisco Partners is nearing a $1.3 billion buyout of construction software maker Command Alkon Francisco Partners closes. Verdane has acquired stakes in four Trifork Labs technology businesses, including cybersecurity and digital health companies, and also purchased a portfolio of technology stakes from bp Verdane buys portfolio.

Financial Services, Real Estate, and Infrastructure Activity

Activity in financial services and real estate remains robust. KKR is marketing Europe's first debt deal backed by PayPal buy now, pay later loans KKR markets Europe's. Ares Management has completed its $1.7 billion take-private of Whitestone REIT, a US retail property owner Ares completes $1.7bn. H.I.G. Capital has launched a €1 billion German residential platform called Highground Living H.I.G. Capital launches. Arrow Global has acquired Borio Mangiarotti, a Milan-based real estate development and management business. Tailwater is backing Pickton Gas Storage. BlackRock’s GIP is acquiring commercial solar power firm Summit Ridge.

Fund Management, Secondaries, and Investor Strategies

Institutional investors are navigating evolving strategies in private markets. Germany's KENFO plans to increase its allocation to private markets to 30% while trimming its private equity exposure Germany's KENFO to lift. The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) reported a 14.8% net investment return for the year ending June 2026, with private equity being a significant contributor Private equity lifts CalPERS. Partners Group has warned that evergreen outflows could reach $20 billion, with private equity accounting for two-thirds of its underperforming assets. The secondaries market is seeing increased activity, with rising confidence fueling real estate secondaries dealflow. M&G is building its infrastructure secondaries exposure and targeting continuation vehicles. Carlyle Alp Invest has closed its second single asset-focused fund on $1.7 billion. Credit manager Serone has launched a buyout secondaries strategy.

Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystem Trends

The venture capital landscape shows a concentration of larger deals, particularly in AI-related ventures. Asia's startup funding reached a multiyear peak in Q2 2026, with investors pouring $42.8 billion into funding rounds, led by China's $7.4 billion DeepSeek raise. Fintech funding surged nearly 23% in H1 2026, with investors concentrating bets on AI and financial infrastructure, though the deal count fell more than 25%. Despite attention-grabbing AI mega-seed rounds, historical data suggests that very large first financings rarely produce venture-scale returns due to high entry valuations. Munich robotics startup Microagi raised $55 million, marking Germany's largest-ever seed round. Travel agency Fora achieved unicorn status, raising $60 million and valuing the company at $1 billion. Europe's VC firms are increasingly taking on operational roles at their startups.

Consolidation and Strategic Acquisitions in Various Industries

Consolidation is evident across multiple industries as private equity firms execute strategic acquisitions. KKR is acquiring a 51% stake in Thomson Reuters’ global print business, with Apollo and Clearlake also involved in acquiring other private markets firms. EQT has raised its tender offer for Japanese internet platform operator Kakaku.com to ¥3,450 ($21. per share EQT tops LY-Bain. Bridgepoint has agreed to acquire a majority stake in German laboratory testing business GBA Group, with Ardian exiting its holding Bridgepoint buys majority. Montagu’s Christoph Leitner-Dietmaier commented on deal complexity as a source of opportunity, noting that the broader GP-to-GP market remains subdued relative to 2021 levels. One Equity is set to acquire pipe fabrication and distribution firm Epic Piping. Guardian has sold manufacturer Precision Roll Solutions to American Roller Company. Stone Point Capital and Further Global have acquired Kroll, with Permira also backing the deal.

LP Scrutiny and Fund Governance

Increased scrutiny on fund governance is shaping LP relationships and expectations. As fundraising pressures mount, limited partners are seeking greater control, improved economics, and stronger protections against risks such as zombie funds and succession issues. Louisiana Teachers' Retirement System is exploring a sale of PE secondaries assets to reduce its allocation to buyout assets and cull inactive GP relationships. The way top LPs benchmark their PE investments shows immense variety, according to PEI analysis of 20 large investors.

AI and Technology Integration

AI is increasingly integrated into business operations and product development. The shift towards "multiplayer AI" is transforming how businesses leverage artificial intelligence, with a focus on collaborative tools. Scaling companies are making AI work by moving from pilot projects to full production. Visma and its AI portfolio are reshaping accounting, aiming to make bookkeeping less painful. OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is in talks to launch an AI drug discovery startup valued at $2 billion, highlighting investor interest in applying AI to life sciences breakthroughs.