Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 20, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Portfolio Activity

Private equity firms have been active on both the buy and sell sides, with several significant transactions and portfolio adjustments reported. Hellman & Friedman is arranging the refinancing of approximately $3 billion in debt for portfolio company Baker Tilly, moving the financing from private credit to the syndicated market arranging the refinancing. In the industrials and manufacturing sector, Kinderhook invested in American Aero, marking its 33rd platform investment in the space. BGF is set to sell Walker Precision Engineering, a provider of mission-critical components for the aerospace and defense markets, to Karman Space & Defense. Elsewhere, Paine Schwartz has sold ingredients and beverage manufacturer Lyons Magnus to Truelink. Pelican Energy has acquired industrial metal fabricator Riggins Company, which offers custom metal fabrication and weldment services. Brightstar has acquired tech design and consulting firm Bright Tree Studios, adding it to its architecture and design platform. Coalesce-backed Examinetics has acquired safety services firm Progressive Safety and Jurgiel, expanding its occupational health solutions. Greenbelt has invested in Bowe & Gant Electrical Services, with the co-founders retaining a significant equity stake. Bain Capital is set to acquire European supply chain platform Supply On, which connects over 200 manufacturers with more than 140,000 suppliers globally across automotive and aerospace sectors. Wind Point-backed Assisi Pet Care has acquired Forthglade, a pet food and treats business, from IK Partners. In a potential exit, Peak Rock Capital is exploring the sale of its 2015 portfolio company Berner Food & Beverage, which has reportedly tripled its revenue and sextupled its EBITDA since the initial acquisition. Blackstone is nearing a $400 million exit deal for RGIS International, with an Israeli private equity firm in talks to acquire control of its international operations nears $400m exit deal.

Real Estate and Credit Market Dynamics

Private real estate investors are increasingly turning to recapitalizations to navigate refinancing pressures and persistent exit challenges, aiming to unlock liquidity and extend hold periods in a difficult market. Meanwhile, Apollo is reportedly in advanced talks over a $3 billion financing package for the Yankees over $3bn Yankees financing.

Venture Capital and Technology Investments

The venture capital landscape continues to see activity, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector. Natural, a one-year-old startup, has raised $30 million to re-architect payments for AI agents and compete with players like Stripe. Inference startup Infinity secured $15 million in funding at a $100 million valuation, with investors including Touring Capital and researchers from OpenAI and Anthropic. Cusp AI has landed a $450 million round to accelerate AI materials discovery. In Latin America, Mexico's startups led the region in the second quarter, raising $944 million, a 131% increase year-over-year, as more global venture capital firms enter the market.

Sector Focus: AI, TICC, and Aerospace

The Technology, Information, Communications, and Content (TICC) sector is experiencing significant shifts driven by AI. EQT sees compelling opportunities in TICC, with Matthias Wittkowski noting that regulatory requirements are creating "durable demand" and that the global TICC industry is expected to grow at mid-to-high single digits. EQT is also reportedly behind on its goal to deliver €20 billion of exits. In the aerospace sector, BGF is selling Walker Precision Engineering to Karman Space & Defense. KPS Asia is also eyeing take-private and carve-out opportunities in Japan within the manufacturing and industrials space.

Fund Management and Regulatory Landscape

In fund management news, Littlejohn has promoted Brian Michaud to managing partner, who will share responsibility for firm management. San Joaquin County Employees' Retirement Association is seeking a general investment consultant through a request for proposal. On the regulatory front, private funds continue to face scrutiny, with recent enforcement actions by the SEC indicating ongoing attention to managers, despite potential shifts in priorities.

Other Notable Transactions and Events

CVC DIF has agreed to acquire a majority stake in medical waste business Eco Eridania. In an earlier exit, IVEST and Cloverlay successfully grew the Care Bears franchise through licensing before selling it to Authentic Brands. A report notes that Neil Rimer of Index Ventures predicts that wealth generated by AI will need to be redistributed. The UK government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been scrapped, with Reynolds appointed business secretary. The Strictly VC event will return to New York City on September 10 to celebrate the city's startup community.