Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 28, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Infrastructure and Industrials See Significant Deal Activity

Stonepeak and CMA CGM completed the formation of United Ports, with Stonepeak investing $2.4 billion for a 25 percent stake. In the infrastructure services sector, HIG acquired the engineering firm Avove, which focuses on regulated water and power markets. AE Industrial Partners appointed Leonard Dollaga as operating partner to identify investment opportunities in national security sectors. Separately, AIP completed the buyout of material handling firm Intelligrated from Honeywell Technologies. Trans Digm agreed to acquire Prince & Izant, a manufacturer of brazing alloys and specialty metal components, for over $1 billion from IGP.

Technology and Software Acquisitions Dominate Market

Bridgepoint agreed to acquire a majority stake in Lansweeper, a technology asset intelligence platform, in a deal valued at £545 million. Ridgeview also made a take-private offer for automotive software company Pinewood. In the cybersecurity space, Carlyle backed cybersecurity firm Secturion through its middle-market platform. AI startups continue to attract significant investment, with Dwelly raising $170 million from EQT and General Catalyst for its AI rollup efforts. Startups at the intersection of AI and security have raised $855 million across more than 150 seed-stage rounds this year according to Crunchbase data.

Healthcare and Services Sectors Attract Private Equity Interest

Arlington Capital Partners exited medical equipment company Riverpoint to Novanta in a $1.45 billion deal. Riverside-backed Decera Clinical invested in healthcare knowledge platform Onviv, which provides continuing education for medical professionals. In the staffing sector, Care Career acquired MAS Medical Staffing, a travel nurse and allied staffing agency, from Periscope Equity. Meanwhile, wealth management deals have remained robust, with Carlyle making its debut investment from a new aerospace platform in that sector.

Energy and Manufacturing Deals Underway

ECP and KKR agreed to acquire DCC Energy, a multi-energy sales and distribution business, in a $7.7 billion deal that will take the company private. SVP is set to acquire a minority stake in the power plant South Field Energy, which began commercial operations in 2021 as commercial operations commenced. Mutares agreed to acquire Free2move, Stellantis' car-sharing business operating across 14 cities in Europe and the US. Wynnchurch intends to take industrial company Luxfer private for $17.37 per share following the agreement.

Family Offices and Secondaries Market Show Shifting Strategies

Family office Green Bear is reducing its private equity exposure, favoring separately managed accounts for their cost-efficiency benefits amid lower private equity returns. Chief investment officer Vishnu Amble is keen on selling private equity fund stakes bilaterally as the family office pares its exposure to illiquid assets through secondaries. High-conviction deals gained favor from secondaries investors in the first half of the year, with AI disruption playing a significant role in both LP-led and GP-led markets according to Gerald Cooper of Campbell Lutyens.

Other Notable Transactions and Investments

Golub Capital is backing fast-food chain Church's Texas Chicken. Behrman-backed Micross acquired manufacturer AEMtec, a provider of high-reliability microelectronic product and service solutions for aerospace, defense, space, medical, and industrial applications as part of its expansion. FEP acquired Australian Planet Fitness franchisee Bravo Fit, with Planet Fitness exiting its minority ownership position as a result of the transaction in the deal. Cinven and La Caisse agreed to jointly acquire MGA Optio, which originates, underwrites, and manages specialty risk across 15 countries for a combined effort. THL Partners sold firmware provider AMI to Lattice Semiconductor, retaining an equity ownership interest in Lattice Semiconductor as part of the transaction in the sale.