Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 1, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Performance

Bending Spoons surged 40% on its first day of trading, defying the broader Saa S market slowdown. The Italian software firm, which has rapidly expanded by acquiring and revitalizing aging tech brands like AOL and Evernote, saw its valuation climb significantly after its IPO. Co-founders attribute their success to a disciplined approach aimed at minimizing reliance on luck, lessons learned from an earlier startup failure Tech Crunch Venture. Meanwhile, the tech sector continues to grapple with job cuts, with over 127,000 workers at U.S. companies laid off in 2025 and into 2026, according to Crunchbase News data Crunchbase News.

In infrastructure and energy, KKR agreed to acquire EDF's North American renewables division for approximately $4.2 billion, a substantial bet on clean energy with potential additional payments of up to $390 million. This acquisition marks a significant move within the renewable energy sector. In automotive services, WILsquare-backed Automotive Color & Ohio Paint Supply, expanding its distribution network across Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. Monomoy Capital also made a substantial acquisition, purchasing Jiffy Lube for $1.3 billion from a Shell USA subsidiary, consolidating its position in the quick lube and car service franchise market.

Venture Capital & New Ventures

Ashton Kutcher is launching a new venture capital firm with Morgan Beller, moving on from his previous fund, Sound Ventures. While Sound focused on concentrated investments in leading AI labs, Kutcher's new fund appears to be targeting the foundational infrastructure supporting these advanced AI companies. Separately, the self-driving technology startup Wayve is preparing to test its systems on the London Stock Exchange's Pisces platform Sifted, signaling potential advancements in autonomous vehicle technology and its integration into financial market infrastructure.

In the realm of specialized services, Balance Point invested in Aqua Verse, a platform designed to consolidate and grow a portfolio of pool service brands across various markets, indicating continued activity in fragmented service industries. William Blair has also expanded its capabilities with the acquisition of investment bank Inner Circle Sports. This move bolsters William Blair's offerings to sports team owners, leagues, investors, and media companies, reflecting a strategic effort to deepen its presence in the sports and entertainment finance sector.