Private Equity 3 Days

Last updated: August 16, 2026, 11:39 AM ET

Private Equity

Shurco has acquired Heavy Motions Inc, a manufacturer of cargo covering and containment systems, expanding its portfolio in industrial equipment. The deal, backed by Behrman, strengthens Shurco's presence in the North American market with facilities across South Dakota and beyond.

Vetspire has secured backing from Battery Ventures to accelerate its AI-driven operating system for veterinary practices. The platform aims to support teams of all sizes through enhanced product innovation and automated workflow solutions.

EQT launched its €5bn Scaleup Europe Fund with a €450m investment in ICEYE, a satellite operator valued at €10bn. The fund targets high-growth European startups in sectors including tech and sustainability.

Pimco and Pollen Street are among bidders for BFF Bank’s €1.2bn ($1.4bn) non-performing loan portfolio. The sale reflects growing interest in distressed credit opportunities across European markets.

Weymouth Retirement Board has issued an RFP for private equity co-investment managers. The public pension fund seeks partners to deploy capital alongside primary fund investments.

Butterfly Equity, and Wise Equity have targeted nutraceutical assets in recent deals. Astorg acquired Thermo Fisher’s microbiology business for $1bn, driven by rising demand for antimicrobial testing services.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has outlined a 2026–2030 strategy focused on value realization over rapid deployment. The shift includes increased emphasis on private capital partnerships and active portfolio management.

CVC DIF agreed to acquire a majority stake in firstcolo, a Frankfurt-based data center operator, from Cube Infrastructure. The transaction underscores infrastructure investors’ appetite for digital assets.

Providence Equity has agreed to acquire Hometrack, a UK-based provider of property valuation data used by mortgage lenders. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Silver Lake is in advanced talks to take Workday private in a deal potentially valued at over $40bn. If completed, it would rank among the largest software buyouts ever recorded.

Optimum Energy, backed by Bernhard, acquired Hussung Mechanical Contractors and HMC Service Company. The combined entity will serve healthcare systems, universities, and mission-critical facilities nationwide.

EQT and Digital Garage raised their tender offer for Kakaku.com to ¥3,570 per share (~$22.40), outbidding rival suitors. The move signals continued consolidation in Japanese tech investing.

Hollyport Capital remains independent after securing growth capital from Blue Owl. The partnership highlights the rising prominence of secondaries-focused platforms.

2ND Capital is nearing a $1.25bn close for its Fund IV, targeting secondaries opportunities globally. The vehicle has already deployed capital in its inaugural deal, with a Q4/Q1 expected final close.

London’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a surge in funding activity, driven by renewed investor confidence and policy support. Founders and VCs are increasingly attending networking events to explore collaborative ventures.

Drone startups are gaining traction in areas such as logistics, agriculture, and defense. Venture capitalists are closely watching ten emerging players poised for scale.

Europe’s most active public funds in H1 2026 include names like HV Capital and Earlybird, which collectively accounted for over 20% of total VC investments. Their activity reflects strong institutional backing amid market volatility.

La Caisse reported a 4.3% decline in its private equity portfolio during H1 2026, underperforming benchmarks that rose 8.0%. Despite this dip, the firm continues to emphasize long-term value creation strategies.

Databricks raised another $5bn just eight months after its previous round, maintaining momentum as one of the most valuable AI infrastructure companies. Investors remain bullish despite valuation concerns.

Joshua Kushner warned against letting AI enthusiasm compromise disciplined investing. In his first official letter, he cautioned that unchecked optimism could lead to poor allocation decisions across venture portfolios.

Unicorn Board welcomed 40 new members in July—the highest count in four years. Sectors leading the charge included AI orchestration, robotics, energy, and semiconductors.

Mistral AI secured enterprise commitments from ASML and Amadeus to support its data center expansion plans. These alliances signal growing corporate adoption of generative AI technologies.

Fintech culture remains under scrutiny in Europe, where scaling firms often struggle with talent retention and governance issues. Leaders say addressing cultural gaps is critical to sustaining growth.

Wolf-Gordon expanded into interior surfaces with acquisitions of Andor Willow and Walls & Interiors. Backed by Charger, the NYC-based company now serves architecture and design communities globally.

Mid-year market trends reveal shifting priorities among limited partners and general partners alike. Key themes include ESG integration, geopolitical risk hedging, and renewed appetite for buyouts.

AI infrastructure continues to fuel M&A activity, particularly in engineering services and cloud computing. Demand for scalable compute resources has pushed valuations higher across the sector.

Northern Gritstone opened a San Francisco office to better tap into U.S. deep-tech ventures. The UK spinout investor aims to bridge transatlantic innovation ecosystems.

Charger backed Wolf-Gordon’s latest acquisitions, reinforcing its position in specialty materials and branded interiors. The firm previously invested in multiple manufacturing and distribution platforms.