Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 7, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Venture Capital & Startup Funding

North American startup funding shattered records in the first half of 2026, reaching a staggering $392 billion. This surge was largely driven by the artificial intelligence sector, with AI law startup Norm raising $120 million at a $1.2 billion unicorn valuation, led by Khosla Ventures. In the HR tech space, Lightyear invested in Corestream to fuel its continued growth.

Buyouts & Acquisitions

Private equity firms were active across various sectors. I Squared is set to acquire Milestone Environmental from SK Capital, which operates waste disposal facilities for oil and gas operations. Unity Partners has acquired Meaden & Moore Advisors, a professional services firm specializing in forensic and accounting services, with plans for further add-on acquisitions in related sectors. GTCR-backed Corza Medical is selling its biosurgery business to EQT, a deal that includes the Tacho Sil product portfolio. HCPI has sold Epicurean Butter to Solina USA, following a 2019 partnership with the founders. Sentinel has acquired cake decorations supplier Deco Pac from Kohlberg.

In the industrial and services sectors, Investcorp-backed KSS has acquired Strack Scale Service, a provider of calibration and maintenance for industrial weighing systems and control solutions. Arlington has launched a new naval services platform, Highwater, by combining portfolio company Eptec Defence with AMP United, which offers naval preservation and scaffolding services across the US. Allied Industrial-backed Mat Tech acquired industrial hauling company Hook Set Transportation in Texas, expanding its waste and hauling services in the Houston area and beyond. Thirty-5 Capital-backed Paddletek acquired performance paddle company PIKKL, bolstering its presence in the pickleball market as a brand.

Capitol Meridian has acquired Westway Enterprises, a national security infrastructure firm, aiming to accelerate its expansion and broaden access to classified work for commercial innovators and defense contractors and others. Apheon acquired French frozen snack group Alma and is targeting expansion into Benelux, Germany, and the UK.

Deal Activity & Exits

Thoma Bravo has closed a merger combining Hypergene, an FP&A and portfolio management platform, with Stratsys, a governance, risk and compliance software provider, creating a unified offering for customers across Nordic and German markets. Summit Partners has exited Dreampath Diagnostics to Halma; Dreampath's systems track and retrieve tissue samples for pathology labs and serve over 500 labs globally in 50 countries. Advent has acquired a minority stake in Avio, the Italian space and defense propulsion group, to support its expansion efforts in solid rocket motors and propulsion. KKR and TA Associates-backed Söderberg has agreed to acquire Benchmark Capital, the UK financial advice business, from Schroders, expanding its wealth management services in Europe.

Fundraising & Secondaries

Patria's head of secondaries, Patrick Knechtl, noted that dealflow in the secondaries market continues unlock despite persistent DPI issues. The firm's latest secondaries fund closed on $677 million, surpassing its target, with a focus on smaller-sized deals to differentiate itself.

Sports & Entertainment

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 launch, as sports investments gain traction.

Firm Appointments

Bridge Growth has appointed Prosper Vignone as a senior principal to its investment team, where he will support sourcing, due diligence, deal execution, and portfolio company oversight on an ongoing basis. Halifax has tapped Rob Holcomb as an operating executive, bringing his prior experience from Johnson & Johnson's analytics division to the firm.