Private Equity 3 Hours

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking Activity

Private equity firms are actively deploying capital across diverse sectors, with HCPI selling its stake in Epicurean Butter to Solina USA and Sentinel acquiring cake decorations supplier Deco Pac from Kohlberg. Capitol Meridian has snapped up national security infrastructure firm Westway Enterprises, aiming to accelerate its expansion and broaden access to classified work. Unity Partners acquired Meaden & Moore Advisors, targeting synergies between accounting and insurance services, while EQT is set to acquire Corza Medical's biosurgery unit from GTCR. In the sports arena, Blue Owl Capital has taken a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers through its Home Court Partners fund, marking its sixth NBA franchise investment. Swedish wealth manager Söderberg & Partners, backed by KKR and TA Associates, is acquiring Benchmark Capital from Schroders.

Venture Capital and Startup Funding

North American startup funding has reached unprecedented levels, with the first half of 2026 already totaling a staggering $392 billion, driven significantly by investments in artificial intelligence. This surge dwarfs previous funding records and signals a strong appetite for innovative technologies. Despite the overall boom, venture capital firms are navigating a complex fundraising environment, with some European GPs facing headwinds while attempting to surpass initial fund caps. Temasek-linked Azalea has also joined the evergreen fund structure, indicating evolving strategies among major investors. Meanwhile, women building deeptech startups that are garnering attention in 2026, suggesting a growing diversity of founders in high-impact technology sectors.