Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: July 23, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking Continues Across Sectors

Private equity firms are actively pursuing acquisitions and investments across diverse industries. backed Oaktree, has acquired Trampe Settles, a family law litigation support firm. Bregal Sagemount is set to take a majority stake in Luxembourg-based ATOZ Services, an administration and governance provider. Coalesce Capital has invested in cybersecurity provider Worksheet, with another report detailing the same acquisition and noting the growing complexity of regulatory compliance in the AI era. Infrastructure-backed MN8 is acquiring power producer Greenbacker for $375 million. Fundamental Advisors has acquired aerial services operator Blue Sky Helicopters, which serves utility, government, and public safety clients in the Western U.S. Tinicum is backing specialty chemicals distributor Graco Roberts, previously backed by CM Equity Partners. Vesterra Capital has acquired facilities maintenance platform PHFM, establishing it as a standalone entity. Camden-backed Triumph acquired the Culinary Institute of Barcelona. Lastly, Valeas Capital will invest in My Pension Expert, marking an exit for Palatine, which had invested four years prior and seen the firm grow to around £2 billion in assets under administration.

Venture Capital and Secondaries Market Activity

Venture capital and the secondary market are also showing robust activity. StepStone’s VC has surpassed $1 billion, attracting investment from institutions like Ohio's public school employees' pension, which committed $50 million. Private real estate managers are increasingly utilizing secondaries, with continuation vehicles signaling a shift away from the market being solely for distressed assets. In China, the RMB secondaries market has completed its first full cycle, presenting both opportunities and risks for those seeking returns. Meanwhile, Nordic Capital plans to sell life sciences software provider Aris Global, whose clients include pharmaceutical, biotech, and regulatory bodies.

Capital Markets and Strategic Appointments

Large-cap funding rounds continue to shape the startup landscape, with 60% of global startup funding this year, approximately $320 billion, going to rounds of $1 billion or more. Investors are indicating a "risk-on" sentiment but demanding clear differentiation in strategies, particularly in areas like AI and defense. In strategic leadership, Epiris has appointed Owen Wilson as managing partner, succeeding Bill Priestley who will retire in October 2026. Bowmark Capital is becoming a shareholder in building standards provider SFG20. There's also a discussion around the potential resurgence of on-premise systems, driven by perceived long-term security advantages over cloud migration.