Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: March 23, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Private Equity Deal Flow & Strategy

Dealmakers in Asia-Pacific face mounting pressure as Bain & Co reports that the number of held assets rose 18% in 2025 for portfolio companies remaining under management for over five years, indicating that "solid exit activity" remains insufficient to clear the region's overhang. Elsewhere, Arlington Capital agreed to acquire Eptec Defence, a niche provider of naval and defense preservation services, signaling continued private equity appetite for specialized government contracting assets despite broader market headwinds.

Venture Capital & Funding Trends

In the specialized venture space, London-based Air Street Capital successfully closed a substantial Fund III, raising $232 million aimed at backing early-stage artificial intelligence firms across both European and North American markets. Concurrently, the burgeoning prediction markets sector is attracting institutional interest, demonstrated by a new $35 million venture fund, 5(c) Capital, which secured backing from the chief executives of rivals Kalshi and Polymarket to support startups in that growing category.