Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 11:32 AM ET

Capital Formation & Fundraising

Hayfin Capital Management has secured over €15 billion ($17.1 for its latest direct lending fund, signaling a continued concentration of capital among large-scale players in the private markets Hayfin raises $17.1bn. This significant fundraising underscores the robust demand for private credit solutions, even as some institutional investors re-evaluate their exposure. In the secondaries market, BCI's global head of private equity noted that while more limited partners are participating directly in co-investments and secondaries, they remain an exception rather than the norm, suggesting traditional fundraising channels still dominate for many firms BCI seeks good returns. Meanwhile, the UK's defence industry is looking to private capital as an accelerator, with panellists at the Investment Policy Forum suggesting it can bring commercial discipline and scale, though not as a replacement for government funding Private capital accelerator.

Buyout & Investment Activity

The private equity landscape saw a flurry of deal-making across various sectors. Corten and Ampersand have acquired Beacon Intelligence, a provider of structured data on early-stage drug development, serving over 300 global clients Corten, Ampersand acquire. In the consumer space, ACON Investments is acquiring the organic candy brand Yum Earth from The Riverside Company Riverside Company sells, while Cinven is backing the merger of its portfolio company Vitamin Well with EMPWR, a nutrition bar manufacturer, in a move that brings Barebells' primary producer in-house Cinven backs merger, Cinven’s Vitamin Well merge. Peak Rock has acquired health tech firm Asembia, which also operates a specialty pharmacy conference Peak Rock scoops up.

Garnett Station is reportedly collecting first-round bids for its automotive service provider Goodturn, with potential buyers offering an EBITDA multiple of 13x-15x Garnett Station collects. In the industrial sector, Meritus Gas Partners, a portfolio company of AEA Enterprise, has acquired helium solutions firm HICO through its subsidiary Buckeye Welding Supply Meritus Gas Partners subsidiary. Main Capital-backed Uname IT has acquired Danish car dealership software provider Auto IT as part of its expansion in the automotive retail technology sector Main Capital-backed UnameIT. In technology, Nordic Capital-backed Regnology is expanding its U.S. presence with the acquisition of Fed Reporter Nordic Capital-backed Regnology.

Exits & Divestitures

The infrastructure sector saw CVC DIF exit its Polish wind energy portfolio, Klara Renewables, which comprises six operational onshore wind farms, to Actis CVC DIF exits. In aerospace and defence, Inflexion has sold its portfolio company Avantus Aerospace, a global supplier of C-Class components, to U.S. buyout firm Arcline Investment Inflexion exits. KKR is set to divest its ship leasing platform Ocean Yield, which holds interests in over 70 vessels including gas carriers, tankers, and dry bulk carriers, to AP Moller KKR agrees sell.

Sector Trends & Strategy

The artificial intelligence boom continues to influence investment, with global startup investment hitting a record $510 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by a strong second quarter that saw over $200 billion poured into startups Global Startup Investment. However, AI's impact is also upending traditional private equity targets, particularly in the software sector, where the "Saa Spocalypse" has exposed vulnerabilities and increased uncertainty for investors Deep Dive: How AI. Amid this evolving landscape, some founders are placing bets on "physical AI," suggesting a shift towards tangible AI applications two bets founders. Meanwhile, regulatory discussions are ongoing, with private capital seeking clarity from UK regulators