Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 2:34 PM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking and Acquisitions

Private equity firms have been active across various sectors. Behrman-backed Shurco acquires manufacturer Heavy Motions Inc, expanding its operational capabilities. In the interior surfaces market, Charger-backed Wolf-Gordon acquires two interior surfaces providers Andor Willow and Walls & Interiors, broadening its product offerings. Battery Ventures backs vet practices’ AI operating system, with the aim of accelerating product innovation and AI development. Elsewhere, Astorg’s $1bn carve-out of Thermo Fishers’ microbiology biz is reportedly set to acquire Thermo Fisher Scientific's microbiology business for approximately $1 billion, a move driven by demand for antimicrobial testing. Butterfly, Graham, Wise Equity target nutraceuticals, indicating a growing interest in this sector.

Fundraising and Investment Strategies

Fundraising activities continue to shape the private equity landscape. EQT’s €5bn Scaleup Europe Fund has launched with an initial €450 million investment in ICEYE, a satellite operator valued at €10 billion. UK spinout investor Northern Gritstone to open San Francisco office, expanding its reach by opening an office in San Francisco. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is shifting its strategy towards value realization and actively seeking private capital for its next phase of development, emphasizing active ownership. The Weymouth Retirement Board issues RFP for private equity co-investment managers, signaling its intent to increase its allocation to this asset class.

Market Trends and Valuations

The broader market is showing mixed signals for private equity. La Caisse's private equity portfolio falls 4.3% in the first half of 2026, significantly underperforming a benchmark that gained 8.0%, highlighting the impact of public market rallies, particularly in AI. Despite this, the 40 Companies Joined The Unicorn Board In July, reaching its highest point in four years, with 40 new entrants. Financial services, robotics, AI orchestration, multimodal AI, energy, and semiconductors were the leading sectors for these valuations. European fintech has a culture problem, however, faces ongoing challenges related to its culture. In distressed debt, private credit heavyweights including Pimco and Pollen Street among suitors for BFF's €1.2bn distressed loan book, are reportedly considering bids for a €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) distressed loan portfolio being sold by Italy's BFF Bank. Mistral’s data centre buildout has secured significant backing from companies like ASML and Amadeus to support its data center buildout.