Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors, with significant transactions in food, technology, and professional services. HCPI divested its stake in Epicurean Butter to Solina USA, concluding a partnership that began in 2019. Sentinel Capital Partners has acquired Deco Pac, a supplier of cake decorations, from Kohlberg. In the financial services realm, Unity Partners has acquired Meaden & Moore Advisors, aiming to leverage synergies between accounting and insurance services for future add-on acquisitions. EQT is set to acquire the biosurgery business of Corza Medical, including the Tacho Sil product portfolio, from GTCR EQT to acquire.

Technology & Infrastructure Investments

The technology sector continues to draw substantial private equity interest, particularly in areas like AI and national security. North American startup funding shattered records in the first half of 2026, reaching a total of $392 billion, largely driven by AI investments funding shattered records. Capitol Meridian has acquired Westway Enterprises, a national security infrastructure firm, a move expected to accelerate the company's expansion and broaden access to classified work for commercial innovators. Elsewhere, Google has backed Proxima Fusion in a €411 million funding round Google backs, and Hive raised $15 million for its "silicon brain" technology, promising significant cost reductions in machine operation Hive raises $15m. Thoma Bravo has closed a merger combining Hypergene, a financial planning and analysis platform, with Stratsys, a governance, risk, and compliance software provider, serving clients across Northern Europe Thoma Bravo merges.

Sports & Diversified Portfolio Moves

Sports franchises are increasingly becoming an attractive alternative asset class for private equity. Blue Owl Capital has acquired a minority equity stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers through its Home Court Partners fund, marking the sixth NBA franchise this vehicle has backed since its inception Blue Owl buys. In a strategic move within the space sector, Advent has taken a 7% stake in Avio, an Italian space and defense propulsion group, to support the company's expansion plans for solid rocket motors Advent takes stake. Summit Partners has exited its investment in Dreampath Diagnostics, selling the pathology lab systems provider to Halma, which serves over 500 labs globally Summit Partners exits.

European Market Activity

Activity in the European market spans food, financial advice, and healthcare. Apheon has acquired the French frozen snack group Alma, with plans to expand into Benelux, Germany, and the UK markets. Alma itself combines Foo Seng, a premium frozen Asian snack manufacturer, and Varachaux, a producer of frozen food components Apheon acquires. In financial services, KKR and TA Associates-backed Söderberg & Partners has agreed to acquire Benchmark Capital, a UK financial advice business, from Schroders KKR and TA buy. EQT has also agreed to acquire Corza Medical's biosurgery business, which includes the Tacho Sil product portfolio designed for rapid bleeding control and tissue sealing EQT buys Corza.

Investor Capital & Market Trends

The broader private equity market is navigating varied investor sentiment and capital flow dynamics. General partners eyeing retail capital are reportedly treading a delicate path, while a European GP has successfully surpassed its initial hard-cap despite market headwinds. Additionally, Temasek-linked Azalea is joining the evergreen fund structure trend retail in, barbarians out. Meanwhile, deeptech startups continue to attract attention, with women-led ventures being recognized for their innovation award-winning women, and IQM's recent debut on public markets has been met with investor applause IQM investors applaud.