Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 11:48 AM ET

Dealflow and Fundraising

Global private equity dealmaking suffered its worst second quarter since 2020, with TMT seeing the steepest decline. A separate analysis confirms dealflow wilted amid renewed macro turbulence. Despite the slowdown, Brookfield Asset Management raised a record $77bn in Q2, led by private equity. On the startup front, new unicorn counts in H1 2026 have already surpassed 2025’s total, with 195 companies joining the board.

M&A and Buyouts

Bernhard Capital agreed to take private Bowman Consulting Group for $1bn, including a 35-day go-shop period. New Mountain Capital is acquiring fire safety provider Jensen Hughes from Gryphon. In Australia, I Squared Capital agreed to a $631m equity buyout of Ooh Media, while a separate report values the deal at $733m on an enterprise basis, reflecting a 100% premium. Provectus Capital Partners made its Romanian debut by acquiring a majority stake in Seatbelt Consulting, the country’s largest occupational health and safety provider.

Strategic Investments

KKR closed a strategic equity investment in Crowe Advisory, the tax and advisory arm of global accounting firm Crowe. VSS took a minority stake in Cordoba, betting on infrastructure transformation and noting that AI cannot displace the need for physical infrastructure.

Secondaries and Continuation Funds

Continuation fund activity is outstripping traditional secondaries, according to a Side Letter analysis, while new ESG rules could chill private markets and an APAC rainmaker has resurfaced at an international firm.

LP Activity and AI IPO Implications

Korea’s Employment Insurance Fund is seeking commitments of 120bn Korean won to blind-pool PE and VC funds for 2026. Meanwhile, a wave of major AI IPOs could return significant liquidity to LPs, potentially fueling a new venture fundraising cycle.

Fintech

Revolut secured a French banking licence, expanding its European footprint.