Private Equity 8 Hours

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

Private Equity Dealmaking & Fund Activity

Private equity firms are actively divesting and acquiring across various sectors, demonstrating a dynamic investment environment. IVEST Consumer Partners and Cloverlay have agreed to sell the popular Care Bears brand to Authentic Brands Group, marking a profitable exit after approximately three years and achieving a fourfold revenue increase. Similarly, Xenon Private Equity is exiting its investment in Italian tomato processor Solana by selling it to La Doria, an Investindustrial-backed entity, after a little over two years. In the catering sector, Genesis Capital has exited its investment in GTH Catering.

On the acquisition front, Firebird has launched a music catalog acquisition platform backed by Ares and Raine Group, boasting over $750 million in purchasing power. In the healthcare space, Cathay Capital is rolling out Ascendia Autism Care, which begins operations with 20 centers across eight states. Partners Group is making a significant $250 million investment as the sole lead investor in a continuation vehicle for Avenue Capital Group's commercial aviation leasing portfolio.

Sector-Specific Investments and Exits

The commercial aviation and entertainment sectors saw notable activity. Partners Group is investing $250 million into a continuation vehicle for Avenue Capital Group’s commercial aviation leasing portfolio. In sports, Ares Management and Joe Tsai led a $100 million Series E financing for the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), the largest capital raise in the sport's history.

In technology and data, Blackstone-backed Enverus has acquired four PDS Energy Information exchange platforms that form operating infrastructure for the US upstream industry. Parabellum Investments is snapping up Crux Informatics, a data management platform with over 200 data providers including Morningstar and MSCI.

Fundraising and Strategy Shifts

Fundraising continues, with a focus on longer holding periods and evolving strategies. Generation IM has raised $1 billion for a long-hold private equity strategy, with partners arguing that conventional holding periods are insufficient for sector transformation. Meanwhile, the Colorado PERA pension fund is weighing a pullback from private equity investments, following consultant Aon's advice that the $75 billion fund is not alone among limited partners in underperforming benchmarks in the asset class. The ILPA has also updated its guidance for limited partners, moving from 'status quo' to 'remain in place' to reflect an evolving market, according to CEO Jennifer Choi ILPA guidance update.

Venture Capital and AI Focus

The venture capital landscape is increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and new funding models. GV's Dave Munichiello commented on how technology companies are managing the rising costs and complexity of AI computing, with two major developments last week highlighting these efforts. Elsewhere, AI startup Omnea is challenging traditional venture models by offering employees $250,000 to openly plan their next startup. A new AI lab is also seeking $400 million, founded by alumni from Meta OpenAI. There is a growing sentiment that venture capital firms need to improve their data infrastructure to effectively leverage AI, moving beyond current misapplications Venture capital data issues.

Infrastructure and Services Acquisitions

Infrastructure and services companies are also attracting investment. Warburg Pincus has agreed to acquire UK infrastructure services group Network Plus from OMERS Private Equity. In the building controls and energy services sector, Huron Capital-backed Albireo Energy has acquired Pasco Building Automation Services. Similarly, O2-backed Azureon, a pool care platform, has acquired residential pool services firm Pooltek Services.

In logistics, ICG Infra is backing Paulo Duarte Group, which operates a specialized freight fleet across Portugal and Spain. Voyager Interests has acquired helicopter operator Rotorcraft Leasing Company from Bluehenge Capital Partners and other investors.

Other Notable Deals and Personnel Moves

Other significant transactions include the sale of comfort food chain Cotton Patch Cafe by Altamont Capital to Local Favorite Restaurants. Martis Capital has backed healthcare marketing agency Deerfield Group. In a strategic move, Frazier Healthcare Partners named Stephen Krupa as executive in residence for its buyout team. In Ukraine, the EBRD has surpassed €10.5 billion in wartime financing, with over €500 million in new agreements signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference.