Private Equity 3 Hours

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Sector Focus

Private equity firms are increasingly targeting sectors perceived as less susceptible to AI disruption, with laundry services attracting substantial investor interest from firms including The Sterling Group, and Surge Private Equity. This trend highlights a strategic shift towards stable, cash-flow-generating businesses amidst broader technological upheaval. Meanwhile, Investcorp is acquiring a majority stake in UK facilities management firm Smart Managed Solutions in a deal valued at over $200 million, signaling ongoing activity in business services.

In aviation, Castlelake has taken its £4.7 billion takeover proposal for easy Jet directly to shareholders after the airline's board rejected three prior approaches, indicating a more aggressive stance in public buyouts. Separately, the burgeoning field of robotics is experiencing a funding surge, with startups globally raising a record $18.8 billion in 2026 year-to-date, surpassing the $15 billion raised in all of 2025. This marks a significant acceleration in venture capital flowing into the sector.

The drive for AI dominance is also spurring investment in infrastructure, with Europe doubling down on its own AI hardware to control the entire technology stack. Guest author Richard de Silva suggests the next software era will be defined by "AI-native, industry-specific platforms," with vertical AI companies possessing deep domain expertise poised to be the biggest winners in this new paradigm.