Last updated: August 21, 2026, 1:45 PM ET
KKR's $9bn UGI Bid
KKR has offered to acquire UGI, the US natural gas and electricity distributor, for $9bn, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
Arctos Buys Falcons Stake
Arctos has agreed to buy a 10% stake in the Atlanta Falcons at an enterprise value of $10.6bn, CNBC reported.
Carlyle Eyes Yipit Data Sale
YipitData is exploring a sale that could value the business at more than $2.5bn, according to Reuters.
KKR Take-Private of Steadfast
A KKR-backed consortium has agreed to a take-private of Steadfast Group, Australia's largest general insurance broker network, valuing the company at $5.5bn (A$7.7bn) and splitting it between three US backers.
Advent and Bain Target Amil
Advent and Bain Capital are pressing to acquire 100% of Amil, one of Brazil's largest health insurers, at a valuation of about R$17bn ($3.3bn), according to a report by Valor Econômico.
CVC Pursues Aldermore
CVC is preparing to bid for Aldermore, the UK challenger bank being sold by its South African parent First Rand under the shadow of the motor finance mis-selling scandal, Sky News reported.
Waterland Eyes Gamma
Waterland Private Equity has emerged as the latest bidder for Gamma Communications, the London-listed business telecoms group.
CVC Invests in Open Rent
CVC has agreed to take a majority stake in Open Rent, the UK rental platform used by more than 8.8 million landlords and tenants.
CVC and Standard Life Launch PRT Platform
CVC has agreed a joint venture with Standard Life to build a new pension risk transfer (PRT) platform aimed at the UK's largest corporate pension schemes, with up to £2bn in commitments.
CVC Backs Silicon2
CVC has agreed to take an approximately 9% stake in Silicon2, the global distributor at the centre of K-beauty's export boom, valuing the South Korean company at about $2.1bn.
BlackRock's HPS and Oaktree Take MBS Group
HPS and Oaktree Capital have seized control of MBS Group, a supplier of lighting rigs and production equipment to film studios including Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery, following a default.
Thoma Bravo Weighs Sophos Concessions
Sophos, the cybersecurity firm owned by Thoma Bravo, is focusing on its existing lenders to refinance or extend more than $2bn of loans after attempts to secure private credit backing fell through.
Stone Point Acquires Ever.Ag Unit
Stone Point has closed the purchase of Ever.Ag's risk management unit, which provides risk management solutions to agricultural producers, processors, and cooperatives.
Stone Point and Genstar Take Ascensus
Stone Point and Genstar are each investing new capital and will hold equal stakes in Ascensus, a fintech firm.
Francisco Partners Buys Weave
Francisco Partners has agreed to acquire Weave in a $650 million take-private deal.
Genstar Exits OnCourse to Genstar
Genstar has struck a deal to acquire Oncourse Home Solutions from Apax, a provider of warranties covering water, sewer, gas and electric lines, plumbing, and home systems for more than two million customers.
TJC Eyes Dental365 Sale
TJC is preparing to launch a sale process for a dental services company active in eight states.
EQT Considers Vietnamese Schools Exit
EQT is considering a sale of its two English-language education businesses in Vietnam, in a potential exit that could value the assets at about $500m.
University of California Sells PE Stakes
The University of California system has offloaded $1bn of private equity fund stakes to HarbourVest at a discount.
Warburg Pincus Exits Certified Group
Warburg Pincus is exiting Certified Group, the North American laboratory testing business it has backed, through a sale to food safety specialist Mérieux Nutri Sciences.
Jefferies Seeks $1.16bn for Secondaries Fund
Jefferies Credit Partners is seeking to raise around $1.16bn (€1bn) for a new fund that will trade private credit loans in the secondary market.
Churchill and Seviora Launch $400m CFO
Churchill and Temasek's asset management platform Seviora have formed a $400m continuation fund with collateral spanning PE stakes.
ICG Backs Onex's Ryan Again
ICG has backed Onex's Ryan again in a co-investment process, three years after Onex first moved the tax services provider into a single-asset continuation fund.
UBS Strengthens EMEA Secondaries Team
UBS has strengthened its EMEA secondaries advisory unit with a director hire from DC Advisory.
CV Pricing Strengthens
CV pricing has strengthened amid growing buyer competition, with new market entrants seeking to pre-empt auction processes to differentiate themselves.
Secondaries Builds AI Infrastructure
Blackstone Strategic Partners anchored EQT's new AI Infrastructure Fund, demonstrating secondaries' role as a blueprint for larger capital raises.
Mass PRIM Shifts to Smaller Buyouts
MassPRIM is targeting smaller buyouts amid PE underperformance, with limited exposure to AI-related sectors weighing on returns.
Korean LPs Embrace Secondaries
Korean LPs are increasing PE secondaries and mid-market allocations amid credit controversy, with some institutions expected to lean into equity-based strategies.
Side Letter: Software Value Vintage
Side Letter explores whether software represents a value vintage and whether now is the time to invest, alongside discussions of GIC's sustainability shake-up and a Hong Kong investor's deeper PE commitments.
Side Letter: SAA Challenges
Side Letter examines why SAAs aren't going anywhere, EQT's entry into sports franchising, and investor demand for defence investing guardrails.
The End of Blind Faith
Transparency has become table stakes in a market defined by greater risk and increased regulatory scrutiny.
Charlesbank Names New Co-Managing Partners
Charlesbank has appointed co-managing partners Brandon White and Sandor Hau to lead the firm, with Michael Choe serving as managing partner emeritus after 12 years as president and CEO.
Charlesbank's $700m Law Firm Deal
Charlesbank is in advanced talks to acquire a stake in Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB), a US law firm, in a transaction worth about $700m.
Long Ridge Invests in Market Sphere
Long Ridge Equity Partners has invested in Market Sphere, a unclaimed property specialist founded in 2002 that helps enterprise and mid-market organizations manage compliance across US and Canadian jurisdictions.
Ode Acquires Casper Studios
Ode, a San Francisco-based enterprise AI transformation company, has acquired AI services firm Casper Studios.
Phoenix Equity Bets on Ireland
Phoenix Equity and Thoma Bravo are among firms betting on Ireland, with Exponent announcing an investment in OFS, a provider of specialist technical services for power generation.
Phoenix Equity Backs Medmark
Phoenix Equity Partners has backed Medmark, an Irish occupational health provider founded in 1987 serving more than 500,000 employees across nine locations.
Vesey Street's OSM Acquires Orlando Orthopaedic
Vesey Street-backed Orthopaedic Solutions Management has acquired Orlando Orthopaedic Center, including its affiliated ambulatory surgery center.
Uplift Investors Acquires Engage fi
Uplift Investors has acquired Engage fi from Falfurrias Management Partners, a firm advising banks and credit unions on technology and vendor decisions.
Valor Exterior Acquires Dick's Roof Repair
Valor Exterior Partners has added Dick's Roof Repair, a Wisconsin-based roofing and siding company founded in 1957, to its platform.
WSB Acquires CIA
WSB, backed by GHK Capital, has acquired Civil Infrastructure Associates, a Tennessee engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater utilities.
Vesterra's Bland Landscaping Expands
Vesterra-backed Bland Landscaping has acquired two South Carolina firms: Charleston Grounds Management and Clear Lakes and Wetland Services.
Bland Landscaping Adds SC Firms
Vesterra-backed Bland Landscaping has expanded its South Carolina presence through two acquisitions providing landscaping and aquatics services.
Stellex's Crest Acquires Dukane
Stellex-backed Crest has acquired Dukane, a manufacturer of industrial technology products.
Rockbridge Sells Checked Up to Providence
Rockbridge has agreed to sell healthcare media firm Checked Up to Providence Equity, with Varsity Healthcare Partners joining as a strategic minority investor.
BGF Exits bf1systems
BGF has exited Norfolk motorsport tech firm bf1systems in a sale to Lagercrantz, with the company having grown revenue to £17.8m.
Baird Capital Sells Cleanwater1
Baird Capital has exited Cleanwater1 in a sale to Veralto, a supplier of water and wastewater quality management technologies.
Blackford Adds Fire Safety Integrator
Blackford Capital has added a fire safety integrator to its platform in its second add-on acquisition, targeting Industrial Electronic Systems.
Turnspire Acquires Hulcher
Turnspire has snapped up Hulcher, a rail services provider that builds, maintains, and repairs track, locomotives, and railcars across North America.
Turnspire Capital Acquires Hulcher
Turnspire Capital Partners has acquired rail services firm Hulcher, which operates a fleet of more than 3,000 specialized units across 28 service centers.
River Associates Buys Diamond Wipes
River Associates has acquired Diamond Wipes, a personal care products manufacturer serving brands, retailers, and distributors across North America.
Aventia Acquires Bryant Hammett
Aventia, backed by Bernhard Capital, has acquired civil engineering firm Bryant Hammett & Associates.
Midas Atlantic Signs Panasonic Deal
Midas Atlantic and Najafi have signed a deal for Panasonic's power and battery unit, which supplies components for industrial and automotive customers.
Oakley Acquires Graphwise
Oakley Capital has struck a deal for a majority stake in AI platform Graphwise, which serves more than 200 blue-chip customers.
Cata Cap Buys B4Restore
CataCap has acquired a majority stake in B4Restore, a Danish provider of data protection services.
Oakley Acquires Graphwise
Oakley plays in AI accuracy drive with Graphwise acquisition, while Cata Cap backs data protection company.
PSG Invests in XBE
PSG has invested in XBE, a construction software provider, with founder and CEO Sean Devine retaining significant ownership.
Battle Investment Group Sells TRS
Battle Investment Group has completed the sale of TRS Services to Allied Power Group, a provider of maintenance and repair services for industrial gas turbine components.
Albireo Energy Acquires Powers Divisions
Albireo Energy, backed by Huron Capital, has completed the acquisition of Powers' regional divisions, a family-owned building automation systems provider.
Certerra Acquires Skyrise
Certerra, backed by Ocean Sound Partners, has acquired Skyrise Engineering and Testing in Florida.
Pro Home Expands in Mid-Atlantic
ProHome, backed by Greybull Stewardship, has acquired a Metro DC franchise, expanding its Mid-Atlantic reach in builder warranty management.
PE Backs Healthcare RCM Services
Carlyle, Francisco Partners, New Mountain, and Serent are among PE firms investing in revenue cycle management platforms, with eight notable deals tracked.
Carlyle, Longshore, Serent Target RCM
Carlyle, Longshore Capital Partners, and Serent Capital are targeting RCM platforms, with SEVA announcing an investment in the healthcare price transparency sector.
SEVA Invests in Serif Health
SEVA has made a minority investment in Serif Health, a health tech firm.
Castelion Leads Defense Tech Funding
The biggest financing of the week went to Castelion, a defense tech startup developing a hypersonic missile, leading a wave of defense tech and AI tools funding.
Tabs Reaches $400M Valuation
Tabs, an AI fintech founded by Ali Hussain, has grown into a $400M startup, with Hussain building the company after pivoting from a humanities PhD.
Rillet Becomes Unicorn
Rillet has raised $100M in Series C funding at a $1B valuation, becoming a unicorn after doubling its ARR in three months.
Callosum Raises $100M Seed
Callosum has raised $100m in seed funding led by Atomico to tackle AI compute bottlenecks.
Domyn Raises Over $1bn
Domyn, an AI model maker, has raised over $1bn in funding.
Domyn CEO Targets $1bn ARR
Domyn CEO Uljan Sharka says the company is "a few quarters away from $1bn ARR" and is leading a EU AI consortium.
Velatir Raises €5m
Velatir, an AI infrastructure startup, has raised €5m to accelerate AI adoption across Europe.
Fractile Nears $6.5bn Valuation
Fractile, a UK chip startup, is in talks to raise funding at a $6.5bn valuation.
Revolut Raises CEO Borrowing Limit
Revolut has allowed its CEO to borrow up to $250m against his shares.
Starling Unveils Weekly AI Rollout
Starling has unveiled a weekly AI rollout as the fintech race intensifies among neobanks.
Travis Kalanick Criticizes VCs
Travis Kalanick has criticized VCs, saying only 1% are helpful, after raising $1.7 billion for his new robotics company Atoms.
Adit Singh Joins Mayfield
Adit Singh, an early Cerebras investor, has joined Mayfield as an infrastructure partner, focusing on semiconductor, cybersecurity, and physical AI investments.
DOJ Investigates a16z
The DOJ is investigating Andreessen Horowitz over potential conflicts of interest involving board seats at competing companies.
DOJ Probes a16z Board Seats
The DOJ is probing Andreessen Horowitz over rival board seats, baffling VCs who view such conflicts as unavoidable for large firms.
a16z Bets on International AI Founders
a16z is betting on international AI founders through its Borderless Founder network initiative, believing that having one foot in home country and one in Silicon Valley is an advantage.
Tech Crunch Disrupt 2026 Guide
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 offers investors a comprehensive guide to meeting founders and exploring startup innovations.
15 Unicorn Alumni Build in Stealth
Fifteen alumni from European unicorns are now building in stealth, exploring new opportunities in emerging sectors.
10 Berlin Spots to Meet VCs
Ten key locations in Berlin offer opportunities to meet founders and VCs, reflecting the city's growing startup ecosystem.
FCA Scaleup Unit Helps Fintechs
The FCA's Scaleup Unit is helping fintechs navigate compliance, encouraging them not to be frightened of the regulator.
AI Drives UK Take-Private Deals
AI is driving a flurry of UK take-private deals, with Ridgeview's offer for Pinewood valuing the company's total equity at £545 million, a 43% premium to its July 23 share price.
Monzo Cofounder's Monaco Venture Faces Dispute
A legal dispute has emerged at the Monaco banking venture of a Monzo cofounder, highlighting risks in cross-border fintech expansion.
OpenAI Clarifies Teen Acquisition Joke
OpenAI has clarified that its "acquisition" offer for an Irish teen's startup idea was a joke, addressing confusion around the interaction.
Startups Combat AI Slop
Startups are clamping down on internal AI slop by implementing writing policies to maintain quality and coherence in AI-generated content.
Europe Needs Frontier AI Models
Europe faces challenges in developing its own frontier AI models, raising questions about the region's competitiveness in the AI race.
European VCs Picked by AI
Claude and Chat GPT have weighed in on Europe's top VCs, producing surprising results that highlight the evolving landscape of venture capital evaluation.
Tech Shortcuts Haunt Startups
Tech shortcuts come back to haunt growing startups, as companies face long-term consequences from early compromises in product development and infrastructure.
When Should Boards Sell?
Boards should continuously evaluate selling alongside scaling, pivoting, or staying independent, especially when strategic buyers emerge or founder priorities shift.
Top Investors of 2026 Unicorns
250 companies have joined the unicorn ranks through August 15, with leading sectors including robotics, AI labs, healthcare, biotech, financial services, and AI tools, driven by top investors backing the most promising ventures.