Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: April 1, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Dealmaking Activity & Exits

Private equity deal flow saw a mix of strategic exits and new platform acquisitions across sectors. Platinum Equity-backed Cook & Boardman expanded its security solutions footprint by acquiring systems integrator Assurance Media, while Concentric and Summer Street exited their investment in solid waste manager Frontier Waste Solutions. In Europe, AURELIUS successfully divested its LSG Asia-Pacific unit to a Japanese consortium composed of Kobe Bussan and GOURMET KINEYA, following a period of operational turnaround and margin expansion. Further illustrating portfolio management, L Squared completed a continuation fund for manufacturer BTX Precision, with Harbour Vest Partners leading the transaction to extend the holding period.

Capital Raising & Investor Sentiment

Large-scale fundraising continues unabated in credit, even as institutional investors show caution regarding aging assets. Ares Management secured over $9.8 billion for its flagship Opportunistic Credit strategy, capitalizing on heightened demand for flexible capital solutions in volatile markets. Meanwhile, the investor base is shifting; family offices, represented by Stonehage Fleming and Green Bear Group, voiced concerns over zombie funds, urging prompt wind-ups of ageing vehicles to resolve valuation ambiguities. Separately, the Westfield Retirement Board issued an RFP seeking new private equity investment managers, signaling continued allocation interest from public pension funds despite broader market scrutiny.

Venture Capital & AI Infrastructure

The technology sector continues to drive record fundraising, heavily concentrated in artificial intelligence infrastructure. First-quarter startup funding shattered previous records, largely due to four massive funding rounds directed toward generative AI leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, and Waymo. This enthusiasm extends to enablement technologies, as chip design firm Cognichip raised $60 million to finance its mission of using AI to design the next generation of chips, claiming it can slash development costs by more than 75%. In a related development, Abu Dhabi-based 2Point Zero agreed to acquire Traverse Midstream Partners for $2.25 billion as part of a larger funding maneuver, targeting firms like Whoop in a transaction valued near $10.1 billion.

Platform Strategy & Talent Mobility

Firms are actively reinforcing senior leadership and deploying capital through specialized strategies. CVC DIF appointed Enrico Del Prete as Partner and Co-Head of its Value-Add platform, tasked with scaling the existing $25 billion strategy. Consumer-focused private equity also saw action, with Stride Consumer backing the beauty brand Peach, which was co-founded by Dr. Carolyn Treasure and Eric Zhang in 2019. In leadership transitions, Matt Clifford stepped down from his role at Entrepreneurs First after a 15-year tenure. Furthermore, the growing influence of private wealth channels is forcing firms to re-evaluate their operating models, as many scale wealth efforts without fully understanding the source of the capital.

Infrastructure & Regional Funding

Activity in infrastructure secondaries remains buoyant, though capital supply presents constraints. According to Macquarie’s Wandy Hoh at the Infrastructure Investor Global Summit, infrastructure secondaries are seeing strong pricing despite insufficient dry powder to cover a full year of potential transaction volume. In a move to bolster domestic technology growth, the UK pension providers backed a £200 million fund specifically aimed at supercharging homegrown startups. Meanwhile, competition heats up for large mandates, with EQT and Atomico vying to manage a substantial €5 billion European Union fund.