Last updated: September 30, 2026, 2:04 PM ET
Valuations & Fundraising
Eleven Labs has doubled its valuation to $22bn through a tender offer, reflecting surging investor appetite for AI infrastructure. Princeton Equity Group blew past its $875m target to close its franchise-focused Fund III at $1.3bn. Two Google alumni raised $11.3M for BAG Ventures Fund I, targeting AI startups that enterprises will actually pay for. Brenton Point Capital Partners made five hires, growing the firm from seven to 12 employees as it scales its lower middle-market strategy.
Dealmaking & M&A
Charlesbank-backed Spectrotel closed its merger with managed network services provider Aire Spring, consolidating the enterprise connectivity space. Wynnchurch Capital’s EMS acquired Florida fencing and hurricane shutter distributor AMD Supply. Arc Light took a 50% stake in the 5.4GW North American power portfolio IATP, which includes 11 power infrastructure assets. Antin sold its Vicinity Energy stake to Harrison Street at a $2.9bn enterprise value, while Aurelius and Yellow Wood led carve-out momentum in the consumer sector amid an 18% YoY increase in such deals. HIG Capital completed its acquisition of UK safety equipment distributor Arco, founded in 1884. Fusion Capital Partners snapped up Pioneer Power Group, a Maryland-based power systems engineering firm. Center Rock closed the Power Services Group continuation vehicle led by New 2ND Capital. Blue Sage Capital backed janitorial services firm Clean Team in a founder partnership. Sterling Group’s AGS American Glass Services acquired Chicago-area glazier Mark Industries. Gemspring Capital’s TRG acquired Ohio cybersecurity and advisory firm Fentron. Livingbridge backed the Elevare launch with two housing tech buys—Rubixx and Voicescape—as BGF exited.
Exits & IPOs
Smart ring maker Oura delayed its $2.2bn Nasdaq IPO amid "market uncertainty," putting investor exits on hold. Chicago Pacific Founders Pet Fund exited CoVet in a sale to IDEXX, the Hamilton, Ontario-based AI-powered clinical scribe developer.
Regulation & Policy
The SEC opened the door to performance fees in a push to bring private markets to retail investors, proposing rule changes that could reshape the industry. The UK AI minister is working "extremely rapidly" on non-compete changes. Legora’s CEO said UK stock options make London expansion a "no-brainer" but called Sweden "almost impossible."
International & Infrastructure
The EU’s €5bn Scaleup Fund can back UK and even US companies, according to an exclusive report. European pensions look south for climate investment opportunities, with Pension Danmark and PGGM reappraising risk-return in emerging markets. Pantheon planted a flag in Abu Dhabi as Gulf appetite for secondaries grows, opening its first Middle East office. CVC DIF named former Morgan Stanley Infrastructure executive Chris Koski as North America chair, based in Toronto. Investindustrial hired Lone Star’s Shinichi Takahashi to lead its Japan office, bringing nearly 30 years of PE experience.
People & Startups
H Company cofounder Charles Kantor launched Blackfuel, a new AI neocloud startup. Side Letter covers how CV persons complicate key person clauses. A day in the life features Imagi founder Dora Palfi. AI helped make a new cologne, with the creator claiming it "smells like success."