Private Equity 3 Hours

Last updated: June 9, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Talent Moves & Strategic Expansion

Banner Capital named a new principal as McKay Potter joins the firm to drive sourcing and portfolio growth across core service sectors in the Western United States. Meanwhile, EQT appointed a new CFO as long‑time insider Gustav Segerberg steps into the finance lead role, signaling a shift in leadership while maintaining continuity at one of Europe’s largest listed private‑markets operators. Both moves underscore a broader trend of firms sharpening internal capabilities to support aggressive deal‑making amid a competitive valuation environment.

EdTech Investment & AI Funding Surge

Achieve Partners backed an edtech platform by investing in Alchemy, a company that leverages data analytics to personalize learning experiences. The partnership comes as Alchemy’s CEO Matt Gurney outlines plans to scale the platform into emerging markets, aiming to capture a growing demand for remote education tools. In a parallel development, Apollo Global Management and Blackstone finalised a $35bn financing package to fund Anthropic’s AI chip production, a move that reflects the escalating capital appetite for infrastructure that powers large‑language models. The deal positions the two firms as key financiers behind one of the most ambitious AI hardware projects announced this year.

Unicorn Momentum & Aerospace Scaling

May saw a record 29 companies added to the Crunchbase Unicorn Board, with the majority operating in AI services and robotics rather than new model launches. This trend highlights a shift toward enterprises that enable AI adoption across industries, rather than pure‑play AI developers. Complementing this AI‑centric surge, Isar Aerospace raised €270m to expand launch operations, targeting a higher cadence of satellite deployments for both commercial and governmental clients. The capital raise aligns with the broader push for cost‑effective space access, positioning Isar as a mid‑tier player in a market dominated by larger incumbents.

Consumer Sector Persistence

In the consumer arena, CD&R and Platinum Equity continued their bid for a 50% stake in Nestlé’s water business, even as PAI stepped back from the transaction. The persistence of these two firms, both known for aggressive portfolio construction, indicates sustained confidence in the value‑creation potential of packaged water brands amid rising consumer demand for premium hydration products. Their renewed focus on the unit comes at a time when Nestlé is restructuring its beverage portfolio to streamline operations and unlock shareholder value.

Secondary Market Insights

Evercore’s latest study shows that top‑performing CVs still outperform traditional buyout funds, with 396 CVs formed between 2018 and 2024 outpacing the 140 funds analyzed in the inaugural report. The data suggests that investors continue to seek high‑yield, high‑growth opportunities in secondary markets despite broader market volatility. This trend dovetails with the increasing activity in niche sectors such as AI infrastructure and space launch services, where specialized expertise can translate into outsized returns.