Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: July 31, 2026, 11:31 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking Accelerates in Senior Care and Healthcare

Private equity firms are actively targeting the senior care sector, with multiple deals indicating strong investor interest in the segment. Goldman Sachs, Brightstar Capital, Hidden River, and Pacific Avenue are among those making transactions in this area, driven by supply and demand gaps. In a separate healthcare move, Apax Partners is acquiring medical packaging firm Centor and another plastic packaging company from Gerresheimer for €1.5bn, a transaction that generated approximately €570 million in combined revenue in 2025 with around 2,400 employees. Additionally, Health testing platform Function has secured $450 million from General Catalyst, offering over 100 blood tests via a yearly subscription. AIP has also completed the take-private buyout of medical tech firm Avanos Medical, with stockholders set to receive $25 per share in cash. Carlyle-backed Included Health is acquiring Firefly Health, and Riverside-backed Decera Clinical is investing in healthcare knowledge platform Onviv.

AI and Technology Drive Venture Capital Funding

Venture capital continues to pour into artificial intelligence and technology startups, with several significant seed and early-stage funding rounds announced. Smallest.ai has raised $13 million to develop ultra-fast voice AI that aims to pass the Turing test. Ellis AI, founded by a repeat entrepreneur, secured $10 million in seed funding for its AI startup targeting private credit managers. Inforcer has closed a $50 million Series C round led by Insight Partners to help smaller businesses navigate AI and security risks. Centralize, an enterprise sales platform founded by former Meta and Slack engineers, has emerged from stealth with a $15 million Series A round. Battery storage startup Antora closed one of the year's largest cleantech rounds with $550 million in Series C funding, intended to accelerate large-scale project deployment amid rising energy demand from AI data centers. Popular themes for seed-stage investment this year include cancer therapeutics and space tech, with many rounds clustering between $5 million and $10 million. The European Union has opened applications for a €10 billion AI gigafactory scheme.

Large-Cap Buyouts and Strategic Acquisitions Shape the Market

Several major private equity players are executing significant buyouts and carve-outs. Platinum Equity is acquiring 50% of Nestlé's waters and premium beverages business for $3.4 billion, establishing a new entity named Peranel with an enterprise value of €4.9 billion ($5.6 Platinum Equity to take 50% of Nestlé's waters arm in $3.4bn carve-out. KKR and Energy Capital Partners are pursuing a £5.75 billion ($7.78 cash takeover of DCC, a deal the DCC board has recommended despite shareholder objections DCC board backs £5.75bn KKR and Energy Capital Partners takeover despite shareholder revolt. Blackstone is acquiring ultrasonic inspections company Dark Vision, while Macquarie is reportedly looking to sell its waste-to-energy company, Win Waste. Vista Equity Partners is set to acquire Quantios, a Saa S provider to global trust and corporate services, from Hg and EQT. Open Gate Capital has agreed to acquire Knorr-Bremse's rail HVAC unit, Merak.

Fundraising and Secondaries Activity Show Continued Momentum

Fundraising in the private equity space remains robust, particularly in secondaries. Blue Owl has reached $10.6 billion for its latest GP stakes fund, which is expected to close this year after extensions. CVC is aiming for a third-quarter close on its sixth secondaries fund and has raised $9.3 billion to date, also planning to launch its first infrastructure secondaries vehicle. Savano has closed its oversubscribed direct secondaries fund, which has already made 12 investments. In real estate, secondaries funds are punching above their weight, representing 4% of private real estate fundraising in 2025 and continuing to attract capital commitments. Hamilton Lane is leading a single-asset continuation vehicle for a wealth management asset, moving RIA firm Savant Capital Holdings. Fox Path has disclosed details of its debut credit secondaries fund, having partnered with Reinsurance Group of America to capitalize future funds.

Sector-Specific Investments and Portfolio Company Activity

Private equity firms are making targeted investments across various sectors. Platinum Equity is investing in lighting company LMPG, with the founder and management team rolling their equity. Palladian is investing in UK leasing company Global Vehicle Group, which manages over 70,000 vehicles across its brands. Apheon-backed Haudecoeur is expanding its international presence by acquiring German and Belgian food businesses Natur Food and Heliadis. KKR-backed Spectris has acquired sensor business Sentech, a supplier of high-tech precision instrumentation. TSG Consumer is acquiring body care brand Saltair, which was previously backed by Prelude Growth Partners. Investcorp has acquired wealth management firm Berger Financial Group, which manages over $3 billion in assets for more than 3,800 clients. Bain Capital is set to acquire UK vitamins leader Vitabiotics for approximately £900 million ($1.2 as part of an international growth strategy Bain Capital to acquire UK vitamins leader Vitabiotics in international growth play.

LP Perspectives and Market Trends

Limited partners are increasingly scrutinizing the "AI" label, with some fearing general partners may overpromise and underdeliver on AI's potential for topline growth. There is a growing sentiment that the biggest long-term gains from AI will accrue to middle-market technology companies rather than incumbents or AI-native startups. Investors are also navigating a complex market landscape, with concerns about purchase multiples becoming a key metric for value creation, as noted by Sweden's Alecta. The UK continues to be a significant market for private equity activity, attracting a larger share of global dealmaking amid macroeconomic concerns. In Asia, a concentration of capital in the large-cap space could present lucrative opportunities for GPs able to raise smaller amounts of capital down market.

Other Notable Transactions and Developments

Brookfield has held a $2 billion first close on its Middle East buyout fund, anchored by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Brookfield holds $2bn first close on PIF-anchored Middle East buyout fund. Providence Equity Partners is taking full control of THE·TEAM, formerly known as Wasserman, by buying out founder Casey Wasserman Providence Equity takes full control of THE·TEAM in Wasserman buyout. MRC is backing Nexus Power to support its geographic expansion, acquisitions, and team growth. Dominus is investing in traffic products manufacturer Pelco Solutions, with the management team remaining significant shareholders. BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners is backing Eamonn Rothwell's €1.2 billion management buyout of Irish Continental Group BlackRock's GIP backs Eamonn Rothwell's €1.2bn ICG management buyout. Blackstone and Colony IM are set to acquire Accor's 30.7% stake in hotel owner Essendi for up to €975 million ($1.12 Blackstone and Colony IM to buy Accor's 30.7% Essendi stake for up to €975m. HIG Capital plans to sell industrial services firm JT Thorpe to Truelink Capital, having acquired JT Thorpe in 2022. Water tech firm Xylem is acquiring Eagle Tree-backed Water Fleet for $200 million. Carbyne-backed Suan Nutra is acquiring a portfolio of natural ingredients businesses from IFF. Stonepeak and CMA CGM have completed the formation of United Ports, with Stonepeak investing $2.4 billion for a 25% stake. Bain Capital is leading a $1.5 billion investment in infrastructure platform Eaton Fiber, aiming to accelerate Verizon's US fiber broadband expansion. Golub Capital is backing fast-food chain Church's Texas Chicken. Juniper Capital has exited Andes Coil Processors, marking its 11th exit out of 12 investments. Gemspring-backed Key Line is merging with utility services firm Palouse Power. BlackRock-backed Influence Media Partners is acquiring Anthem Entertainment’s music assets for over $600 million. TJC is eyeing a November final close for its seventh flagship fund, Resolute Fund VII, with a hard-cap $2 billion larger than its target.