Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 23, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Private Real Estate and Secondaries Gain Traction

The private real estate secondaries market is evolving beyond distress-driven strategies, with continuation vehicles seeing significant growth and signaling a new playbook for managers shed its reputation. Meanwhile, the RMB secondaries market in China has completed its first full cycle, presenting both opportunities and risks for investors seeking to overcome challenges and achieve desired returns risks to be overcome.

Strategic Acquisitions and Divestitures in Technology and Software

Nordic Capital is preparing to divest Aris Global, a life sciences software provider whose client base includes pharmaceutical, biotech firms, and regulatory bodies. In a move to bolster its cybersecurity offerings, Coalesce Capital has acquired Workstreet, positioning itself at the intersection of expanding cybersecurity spending and increasing regulatory compliance complexity. IK Partners is also divesting MDT technologies, a German maker of smart building automation components, to Bregal Unternehmerkapital.

Shifting Investor Sentiment and Market Dynamics

Investors are signaling a "risk-on" stance but are demanding clear differentiation in strategies, with a keen eye on artificial intelligence, defense, and liquidity dynamics, according to discussions at the London Investor Council. This sentiment comes as large funding rounds, particularly those exceeding $1 billion, continue to dominate startup funding, accounting for 60% of global investment, or approximately $320 billion, year-to-date. In a notable shift, while cloud migration offered speed and cost efficiency, decision-makers are now perceiving on-premises systems as offering superior long-term security.

Key Personnel Changes and Major Joint Ventures

Epiris has appointed Owen Wilson as its new managing partner, succeeding Bill Priestley who is slated for retirement in October 2026. Astorg's co-managing partner, Judith Charpentier, emphasized that a mid-market focus is crucial for maximizing exit choices amidst a volatile macro backdrop, even as valuation gaps begin to narrow. In a significant joint venture, Platinum Equity and Nestlé are launching a $5.6 billion beverage venture, Peranel, which will consolidate over 30 water and premium beverage brands across 120 countries.

Sector-Specific Investments and Growth

Camden-backed Triumph Higher Education has acquired the Culinary Institute of Barcelona, a private international culinary school founded in 2017. Valeas Capital Partners is investing in My Pension Expert, a company that has grown to approximately £2 billion in assets under administration since Palatine's initial investment four years ago. Bowmark Capital is set to become a shareholder in SFG20, a company whose software platform assists facilities managers and building owners with asset safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.