Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Dealmaking & Exits

The M&A environment saw significant activity across sectors, including a major industrial exit and several strategic software and services acquisitions. American Securities sold its processing equipment provider CPM to Rosebank for $2.1bn, concluding a holding period that began in 2018. In strategic carve-outs, Apollo agreed to merge Emerald Holding and Questex in separate transactions valued at $1.5bn combined, signaling a consolidation play in the B2B events space. Elsewhere, Mutares divested its Polish public transport operator Relobus to Infracapital, while Argosy completed its exit from InTech Aerospace following its acquisition by CCE Group.

Fundraising & Strategy Shifts

Major firms are preparing new capital deployment vehicles while consultants adjust to evolving investor demands. Blackstone is preparing the third vintage of its long-dated private equity strategy, indicating a commitment to hold assets for extended periods. Concurrently, Verdane seeks to raise €1.6bn for its Europe-focused Edda IV fund, more than doubling the size of its predecessor, reflecting high demand for mid-market strategies. On the advisory front, Cambridge Associates is targeting credit secondaries and specialty lending, anticipating continued strong growth in private credit allocations from its wealthy Asian client base.

Venture Capital & Technology Backing

Venture funding remains focused on AI infrastructure, though some specialized tech sectors are facing tighter scrutiny. Accel and Founders Fund co-led a $220m capital injection into Fractile, demonstrating continued appetite for frontier technology. In the AI staffing domain, Saile raised $2.2M in pre-seed funding to deploy an AI-powered credentialing platform aimed at helping physicians secure side roles. Despite the AI fervor, Agtech startups are facing a drier funding climate, with deal counts expected to decline even for companies incorporating AI, contrasting sharply with the massive valuations sought by large language model developers like Anthropic, which is reportedly in talks for a $30bn raise at a valuation exceeding $900bn.

Sector-Specific Investments

Private equity firms continued to target niche technology, healthcare, and advisory services, often leveraging financing from credit arms. Ardian provided the unitranche financing package supporting IK Partners' leveraged buyout of French wealth manager Rhétorès Group. In the life sciences arena, Eir Partners backed Quartz Bio, a firm specializing in sample and biomarker intelligence for biopharma clients. Meanwhile, Main Capital invested in insurtech firm Agenium, which offers a no-code platform to insurance carriers, and Quad-C Management took a stake in furniture designer Thibaut. In the legal space, Axcel-backed AGRD Partners acquired Iceland’s BBA Fjeldco, continuing its Nordic law firm consolidation strategy.

Market Events & Infrastructure

The IPO market saw a scaled-back debut, while major firms explore strategic areas like sports asset management and large-scale industrial bids. KKR-backed Global Medical Response listed on the NYSE only after pricing its offering well below the initial range, ultimately raising $479M in a reduced offering. On the infrastructure front, EQT is contending for Volkswagen’s Everllence marine engine unit, securing backing from the Qatar Investment Authority and Porsche SE for its bid, while Mubadala noted the breakthrough for EQT on the Intertek take-private transaction. Separately, William Blair bolstered its advisory capabilities by acquiring Inner Circle Sports amid the M&A boom, aiming to capture GP and LP stakes in the sports sector.

Legal & Consulting Developments

Legal scrutiny intensified around generative AI firms, while consulting groups maneuvered to capture market share in specialized areas. ElevenLabs faced a new lawsuit concerning the unauthorized use of voices belonging to Pulitzer and Emmy-winning journalists, signaling increased litigation risk for synthetic media platforms. In the consulting space, Lazard’s acquisition of Campbell Lutyens is expected to integrate their respective expertise, with future co-CEOs discussing the unified firm’s strategy post-close. Furthermore, European conferences like DACH's Largest Private Equity Conference in Munich and the Benelux gathering in Amsterdam in September underscore the focus on regional networking and deal sourcing.