Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 28, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Private Equity Sector Sees Active Dealmaking and Strategic Shifts

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors, with several significant acquisitions reported. AE Industrial Partners appointed Leonard Dollaga as an operating partner to focus on national security sectors, particularly maritime. HIG Capital acquired Avove, an infrastructure services and engineering firm operating in regulated water and power markets. AIP completed the buyout of material handling firm Intelligrated from seller Honeywell Technologies. Behrman-backed Micross acquired manufacturer AEMtec, a provider of microelectronic solutions for aerospace, defense, and medical applications. FEP acquired Australian Planet Fitness franchisee Bravo Fit, with Planet Fitness exiting its minority ownership. Mutares agreed to acquire Stellantis's Free2move car-sharing business, which operates in 14 cities across Europe and the US. Cinven and La Caisse agreed to jointly acquire MGA Optio, a specialty risk underwriter and manager.

Technology and AI Drive Investment and Portfolio Adjustments

The technology sector, particularly Artificial Intelligence, continues to attract significant investment. AI rollup startup Dwelly raised $170 million backed by EQT and General Catalyst. Throne Science, an AI-powered gut health tracking startup, raised $10 million in a Series A round led by Will Ventures. Startups at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity have collectively raised $855 million across over 150 seed-stage rounds this year. Bridgepoint agreed to acquire a majority stake in Lansweeper, a technology asset intelligence platform. Meanwhile, family office Green Bear is reducing its private equity exposure, favoring separately managed accounts for cost-efficiency amid lower PE returns and is tapping secondaries for portfolio revamps. Visionaries is cutting its investment team to two lead partners for its next fund.

Major Transactions and Strategic Investments in Key Industries