Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: June 23, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Venture Capital & AI Investments

Menlo Ventures has secured a significant $3 billion in new capital across two funds, marking the largest fundraising in its 50-year history Menlo Ventures raises $3B. The firm plans to deploy these resources into artificial intelligence startups from their early seed stages through growth phases, building on its established reputation in the AI sector driven by a substantial $750 million investment in Anthropic betting the firm on Anthropic. In parallel, drone startup Stark has confirmed a €500 million funding round backed by prominent venture capital firms Sequoia and Founders Fund Drones startup Stark confirms €500m raise, indicating continued investor appetite for cutting-edge technology.

Fundraising & Credit Markets

Allianz Global Investors has achieved the first close of its third Asia Pacific private credit fund, the Allianz Asia Pacific Secured Lending Fund III (AAPSLF , garnering $744 million in commitments Allianz GI gathers $744m. This move signals continued growth in private credit strategies within the region. Meanwhile, Pantheon's infrastructure secondaries funds have surpassed their targets, with their latest flagship funds ranking among the largest in the sector ahead of final closes, alongside similar momentum from Ardian Pantheon’s infra secondaries surpasses target.

Sector-Specific Deals & Platforms

Acorn Capital is set to divest Berry Aviation for $105 million to Bristow Group, a provider of vertical flight solutions Acorn Capital to sell Berry Aviation. Teleo Capital has acquired Modersys, a pharmaceutical manufacturing intelligence platform, from seller Applied Materials, Inc. Teleo Capital scoops up Modersys. Mangrove Equity has launched a new platform, Peak Pavement Group, and immediately added HD Sealcoating & Paving Solutions and Maintain It All to bolster its offerings Mangrove Equity rolls out Peak Pavement. Apheon is acquiring Easi, a Belgian managed IT services and business software provider serving over 1,500 clients Apheon to acquire managed IT biz Easi.

Healthcare & Consumer Investments

Brightstar Capital has acquired Erdman, a healthcare architecture firm, integrating it as an add-on to its existing portfolio company, KZF Design Brightstar Capital snaps up Erdman. Reverence Capital is investing in Eide Bailly, a CPA firm, to provide additional resources for strategy acceleration and client service expansion Reverence Capital to invest in Eide Bailly. L Catterton has taken a significant minority stake in RŌZ, a clean haircare brand founded by celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak L Catterton takes minority stake.

Strategic Exits & Bidding Processes

Platinum Equity has emerged as the sole bidder for Nestlé's water business after Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) withdrew from the auction process Platinum Equity left as sole bidder. CVC Capital Partners is reportedly considering a €6 billion exit from Cooper Consumer Health, with Cap Vest-owned drugmaker Stada positioned as a potential acquirer CVC weighs €6bn exit. The live events sector continues to attract significant private equity interest, with Apollo, Hellman & Friedman, and Platinum Equity all investing in the space as its popularity surges PE firms invest in live events.

Market Sentiment & Strategic Adjustments

The Virginia pension fund has reduced its target allocation to private equity, citing volatility concerns, marking the first such reduction in over 15 years Virginia pension cuts PE target. This adjustment reflects a cautious sentiment among some institutional investors regarding the asset class amidst broader market uncertainty, even as other areas like European tech rebuild their foundations Europe is rebuilding its tech stack.