Private Equity 8 Hours

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

Private Equity Dealmaking & Fundraising

Private equity firms are actively deploying capital across various sectors, with Headlands Research acquiring Clinical Trials Research, a move that expands its footprint in the clinical trial site network. In a similar vein, PestCo snapped up Arrow Pest Control, bolstering its pest management services. Meanwhile, the music industry is seeing new acquisition platforms emerge; Firebird unveiled its platform with significant purchasing power, backed by Ares and Raine Group, aiming to acquire music catalogs. Genesis Capital has completed its exit from GTH Catering, a provider of corporate catering services. Xenon Private Equity is also divesting, agreeing to sell tomato processor Solana to an Investindustrial-backed entity.

Technology & AI Investments

Artificial intelligence continues to be a dominant theme in dealmaking, with Equi Libre Technologies valued at over $500 million. This AI lab, founded by former Deep Mind researchers, is now generating returns for quantitative hedge funds. In other tech-focused ventures, Ares and Joe Tsai led a $100 million Series E financing for the Premier Lacrosse League, marking a significant capital raise in professional lacrosse. Blackstone-backed Enverus has acquired four PDS Energy, enhancing its infrastructure for the U.S. upstream industry. The gaming sector is also active, with Visualize set to acquire eCOGRA, a testing and compliance services provider.

Consumer Brands & Franchises

The consumer goods sector is witnessing strategic exits and new ventures. IVEST and Cloverlay have agreed to sell the Care Bears franchise to Authentic Brands Group, marking a successful exit approximately three years after their acquisition. This transaction saw the popular franchise change hands after being owned by the Weiss family for over four decades. On the rollout front, Cathay Capital has launched Ascendia Autism Care, which begins operations with a network of 20 centers across eight states.

Infrastructure & Aviation

Infrastructure and aviation assets are drawing substantial investment. Partners Group is investing $250 million in Avenue Capital's commercial aviation leasing portfolio through a continuation vehicle. Separately, ICG Infra is backing the Paulo Duarte Group, a freight fleet operator specializing in temperature-controlled and specialized goods across Portugal and Spain.

Limited Partner & Fund Strategies

Limited partners are reassessing their private equity allocations. The Colorado PERA pension fund, with $75 billion in assets, is considering a pullback from private equity due to underperformance relative to benchmarks, a sentiment echoed by other investors. Meanwhile, Generation IM is raising $1 billion for a long-hold private equity strategy, with partners suggesting that conventional holding periods may not be sufficient for deep sector transformation. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has surpassed €10.5 billion in financing for Ukraine, building out private capital mobilization tools as part of its wartime recovery efforts.