Private Equity 3 Hours

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Dealmaking & Valuations

Private equity dealmakers are navigating a complex market, with some sectors experiencing significant activity while others face increased scrutiny. Peak Rock has acquired health tech firm Asembia, which also operates a specialty pharmacy conference. In the automotive services sector, Garnett Station is reportedly fielding first-round bids for Goodturn, with potential buyers offering between 13x and 15x EBITDA, signaling strong interest from mid-market firms focused on services. Meanwhile, Bain Capital and SoftBank's LY Corp have sweetened their bid for Japanese price-comparison operator Kakaku.com to $4.1 billion, widening their lead over competitor EQT.

Sector-Specific Strategies

The impact of artificial intelligence continues to reshape investment strategies across various sectors. Founders are increasingly making physical bets on AI, indicating a shift towards tangible applications of the technology. This trend is also upending traditional private equity targets, particularly in software, where the sector's vulnerabilities are becoming more apparent and requiring investors to identify managers capable of thriving in the evolving landscape. In the consumer space, Cinven is backing the merger of Vitamin Well Group with EMPWR, a move that integrates Barebells' primary producer.

Infrastructure & Energy

Infrastructure and energy investments are seeing significant transactions, with a focus on renewables and essential services. CVC DIF has agreed to sell Klara Renewables, a portfolio of six operational onshore wind farms in Poland, to Actis. In the industrial gas sector, Meritus Gas Partners, a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise, has expanded its reach through its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply, which acquired helium solutions firm HICO.

Fundraising & Market Trends

The broader investment environment remains dynamic, with global startup investment reaching unprecedented levels. Global startup investment hit a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, with the second quarter of 2026 emerging as the second-largest quarter on record, driven by the accelerating AI boom that is fueling both funding and exits according to Crunchbase data. Despite this overall growth, direct participation in co-investments and secondaries transactions by limited partners remains an exception, according to BCI's global head of private equity, even as more LPs engage in these strategies seeking good returns.