Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: April 1, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Deal Activity & Portfolio Management

Private equity deal flow remains active across sectors, with several platform companies executing bolt-on acquisitions, while established firms close out investments. Platinum Equity-backed Cook & Boardman expanded its access and security solutions portfolio by acquiring systems integrator Assurance Media. In a separate transaction, Windjammer acquired manufacturer PrecisionX, following Core’s initial investment in February 2023, while HIG secured aviation security firm GEG from seller Securitas AB. Conversely, exits saw Court Square divest Kodiak Building Products to QXO for a reported $2.25 billion, and Starwood Capital Group sold the Radisson Blu Leicester Square hotel to a private family office, signaling continued appetite for prime London real estate among family capital.

Middle-market transactions also saw strategic combinations, as Monument-backed EarthWay Products merged with lawn and garden competitor Border Concepts, and L Squared finalized a continuation fund for manufacturer BTX Precision, led by Harbour Vest Partners. Meanwhile, exits by other managers included Concentric and Summer Street exiting their stake in solid waste and recycling firm Frontier Waste Solutions. In operational improvements, AURELIUS successfully exited LSG Asia-Pacific to a Japanese consortium, including Kobe Bussan and GOURMET KINEYA, after achieving significant margin expansion and an operational turnaround during its holding period.

Fundraising & Capital Deployment

Major credit and opportunistic strategies continue to attract substantial capital commitments, even as deployment models evolve. Ares Management successfully closed its flagship opportunistic credit strategy after raising more than $9.8 billion, capitalizing on the increasing need for flexible capital solutions in volatile markets. This fundraising activity occurs while the broader private credit market, valued at $1.8 trillion, draws increased scrutiny from US lawmakers, prompting engagement from major players like Blackstone and Ares. Elsewhere in fundraising, GL Capital achieved a first close of $385 million for its GL China Opportunities Fund V, targeting $800 million for buyout investments in the region.

In the venture and growth space, consumer-focused investment saw Stride Consumer back beauty services brand Peach, which was launched in 2019 by Dr. Carolyn Treasure and Eric Zhang. This investment follows a period of record venture funding, with Q1 2026 seeing nearly $297 billion poured into startups, largely fueled by AI spending. Technology investment also saw specialized funding, as Cognichip raised $60 million to develop AI capable of designing chips, claiming it can reduce development costs by over 75%. In specialized sectors, Godspeed backed defense contractor Galt Aerospace, which supports US Marine Corps and Navy operations, and Eir Partners injected capital into health tech firm Long Tail to expand its proprietary data network.

Secondaries, Personnel, and LP Trends

Limited Partner sentiment is shifting regarding capital liquidity and fund structures, with growing complexity surrounding evergreen vehicles and climate mandates. LPs are grappling with shifting market terms, facing ongoing liquidity pressures while eyeing expanding mid-market deals. Simultaneously, some wealth managers are dismissing evergreen funds as "weapons of mass destruction," according to one private capital source, while LPs are already seeking commitments from emerging managers for 2026. In infrastructure, while demand remains high, infrastructure secondaries are constrained by dry powder; Macquarie’s Wandy Hoh noted that current capital overhang is insufficient to cover even one year of potential transaction volume. On the personnel front, CVC DIF appointed Enrico Del Prete as Partner and Co-Head of its Value-Add strategy to scale its $25 billion platform, and Brighstar tapped Eric Epstein as partner and co-chair, effective May 2026. Furthermore, the Westfield Retirement Board issued an RFP seeking private equity investment managers, indicating continued institutional allocation interest.