Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: June 25, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

European Private Equity Dealmaking

Bain Capital is acquiring a 51% stake in Everllence, a unit of the Volkswagen Group, in a deal valued at €7.4 billion. The transaction signals a significant carve-out for the German automaker, as Bain Capital takes majority control of the automotive component supplier. In a separate transaction, HSG has completed its acquisition of the luxury footwear brand Golden Goose, with Temasek and True Light Capital joining as minority shareholders. Meanwhile, Tikehau is set to divest Aubert & Duval, a specialist in complex metallic materials, to aerospace giants Airbus and Safran. The Italian fast-casual pizza chain Alice Pizza is also changing hands, with Quadrivio & Pambianco and Capdesia agreeing to acquire the company, which operates 231 sites across Italy and internationally.

Venture Capital and Startup Funding

The British Business Bank is actively deploying capital, backing ten venture capital funds with a £90 million allocation. Furthermore, the bank is reportedly exploring a stake in the European Union's €5 billion Scaleup Fund, indicating a broader push to bolster European venture capital. In startup leadership news, Judith Dada, a general partner at Visionaries, has joined AI startup Langdock as co-CEO. This move highlights the increasing prominence of AI ventures and the fluidity of talent between investment firms and startups.

Emerging Investment Themes

Amidst a global focus on energy security, investors are showing increased interest in nuclear startups, reflecting a "massive scramble" for sovereign energy solutions. This trend suggests a potential shift in venture capital allocation towards long-term, capital-intensive energy infrastructure. In a commentary piece, a call is made for European investors to look beyond traditional tech giants like FAANG and instead focus on a new set of growth companies dubbed BRIOCHE, suggesting a re-evaluation of investment strategies in the region.