Private Equity 8 Hours

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

Dealmaking & Firm Launches

The private equity sphere saw a notable exit in European banking as AnaCap divested French private bank Milleis to a consortium including LCL and Crédit Agricole Assurances, concluding the sale of the entire Milleis Group structure, which encompasses Milleis Banque and asset management subsidiaries. Elsewhere in deal flow, Searchlight agreed to invest in CloserStill Media, the B2B events firm currently held by Providence Equity Partners, signaling continued appetite for specialized media assets. Adding to firm launches, Mako officially debuted as a new buyout entity, co-founded by former United Airlines Chairman and CEO Oscar Munoz, signaling fresh capital deployment intentions in the market.

Investment Themes and Sector Focus

The current investment focus appears bifurcated between deep technology and enterprise software, evidenced by True Anomaly securing a $600 million raise leading this week’s large U.S. venture rounds, primarily targeting defense and space security applications. This sector shift mirrors a broader trend where major firms see AI as an offensive tool rather than just a defensive necessity; TPG reported 20% year-on-year growth across its software portfolio despite accelerating disruption from generative AI technologies, suggesting successful integration strategies are paying off for early movers.