Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Fundraising & Dealmaking

Clearlake Capital has closed its eighth flagship fund at a substantial $14.8 billion, signaling continued investor appetite for private equity, particularly with a stated focus on artificial intelligence. In a move to expand its U.S. footprint after 18 years focused on Europe, early-stage investor Seedcamp secured $320 million for its latest fund. Meanwhile, Flexstone Partners, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, is set to acquire Glouston Capital Partners, a Boston-based specialist in secondaries, creating a combined private markets platform valued at $15 billion.

Buyouts & Acquisitions

Greybull Stewardship has acquired Genesys Industries, consolidating three American manufacturing brands—Avia Marine Company, Latrobe Foundry, and Sterner Screw Machine—under a single platform. LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has invested in Nu-Style Products, a designer and manufacturer of laminate wall panels. In the defense sector, Advent International-backed Cobham Ultra Group is divesting its Ultra Mission Solutions business to Booz Allen Hamilton for $720 million, a deal that includes specialized software and encryption products for mission-critical applications.

Capital Markets & Lending

Brookfield Asset Management is seeking a $525 million loan, or A$750 million, to facilitate a dividend recapitalization for its Australian non-bank lender, La Trobe Financial, and to refinance existing debt. MBK Partners is reportedly negotiating with its lenders for an extension on a $464 million buyout loan for its Japanese chocolate business, Godiva Japan, amid ongoing liquidity pressures. Investors are increasingly concerned about "zombie funds"—tail-end vehicles holding legacy assets—with the number expected to rise due to persistent liquidity challenges and difficulties for general partners in differentiating their strategies, a worry shared by large pension systems like Virginia Retirement System.

Strategic Exits & Investments

TPG Capital is exiting its investment in Australian beverage and dairy producer Made Group, agreeing to sell the company to French food giant Danone for approximately $1.4 billion. In a notable leadership change, TPG has appointed Axel André as partner and CFO, succeeding Jack Weingart, who will now focus on his role as CEO of TPG’s global wealth solutions business. Separately, Castlelake has taken its takeover proposal for easy Jet directly to shareholders after the airline's board rejected three previous offers, seeking a significant acquisition in the aviation sector.

Sector Focus & Emerging Trends

The laundry services sector is attracting considerable private equity interest, with firms such as The Sterling Group, Cornell Capital, Surge Private Equity, Northleaf Capital Partners, HIG Capital, and Mainsail Partners making investments. This sector is seen as relatively resilient to AI disruption. In a similar vein, robotics startups are experiencing a funding surge, having raised $18.8 billion globally in 2026 year-to-date, surpassing the full-year totals for previous years and indicating strong venture capital enthusiasm for the technology. This trend aligns with a broader shift toward AI-native, industry-specific software platforms that will likely supersede the current Saa S model, with vertical AI companies poised for significant growth.

Venture Capital & Startups

Flexpoint Ford has invested in Novel Financial Holdings, broadening the ownership base of the financial services firm. In a rapid fundraising effort, a group of fintech founders successfully crowdfunded €8 million in under an hour, illustrating potent demand for innovative financial technology solutions. Meanwhile, the TechCrunch Founder Summit is increasing its pass rates, with early bird discounts ending June 26, highlighting continued support for founder-focused technology events.