Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking & Exits

Advent is nearing a roughly $3.5bn exit from its naval tech group Ultra Maritime, with Lockheed Martin emerging as the frontrunner for the acquisition. In a separate transaction, Eurazeo has sold its stake in the Spanish hotel portfolio FST Hotels to European hospitality specialist Extendam PE Insights. Meanwhile, Blackstone has filed to take its fast-growing sandwich franchisor Jersey Mike's public, aiming for a valuation of up to $12 billion, less than 18 months after taking control of the company PE Insights. General Atlantic is also reportedly in discussions to sell a portion of its stake in sportswear brand Gymshark back to founder Ben Francis, as the entrepreneur seeks to consolidate his ownership PE Insights.

Venture Capital & Growth Funding

Eleven Labs is reportedly seeking a valuation of $22 billion through a new share sale, signaling strong investor interest in AI technology. This comes as European venture capital firms are reportedly split over a proposed plan to limit non-European investments, suggesting potential internal friction within the ecosystem Sifted. Separately, Sandbrook Capital announced a €200 million investment in Krios, a European platform focused on developing grid-secured land for large-scale data center projects, highlighting continued momentum in the digital infrastructure sector PE Hub. The broader European startup scene is seeing "one unicorn a week," according to recent analysis, with companies like Bending Spoons aiming for a $18 billion IPO, with CEO Carluccio Vieri stating they are "building a legendary institution" Sifted.

Consulting & Secondaries

The Town of Wellesley is actively seeking an investment consultant for its retirement board and Other Post-Employment Benefits trust, issuing a request for proposals for the advisory services PE International. In the secondaries market, Evercore has bolstered its Asia team with a new hire from Harbour Vest, filling a key role in its Singapore office Secondaries Investor. This move indicates continued expansion and focus on the burgeoning Asian private equity secondaries market.

European Tech & Innovation

AI labs are increasingly establishing a presence in London's King's Cross area, indicating a concentration of artificial intelligence development in the district Sifted. The European Union's long-standing initiative, spanning 30 years, has been instrumental in converting startup placements into patents, fostering innovation and intellectual property development within the region Sifted. This sustained effort contributes to Europe's model for creating billion-dollar startups, with a notable pace of "one unicorn a week" Sifted.