Private Equity 8 Hours

Last updated: March 24, 2026, 7:30 AM ET

Private Equity Dealmaking Heats Up in Europe

European deal activity is showing signs of life, with major firms vying aggressively for large industrial assets. Apollo Global Management and Bain Capital are reportedly leading a bidding contest valued near €4 billion for Continental's Conti Tech industrial unit, signaling appetite for complex carve-outs despite economic uncertainty. Separately, Nordic fund Altor has agreed to acquire Eltera, a provider of electrical installation services, from Valedo, a transaction that follows intensified regulatory scrutiny from the UK Competition and Markets Authority concerning consolidation within the pet care sector.

Tech Investment and Secondary Market Friction

The technology sector continues to draw capital, though sentiment surrounding emerging technologies is creating friction in secondary markets. Concerns over the rapid deployment of Artificial Intelligence are reportedly disrupting traditional secondaries processes, even as some GPs admit that half of their AI efforts are falling short of expectations. Meanwhile, investment continues into specialized innovation; an Oxford spinout focused on solving long-term memory issues in robotics successfully raised capital from investors including Amadeus Capital and OSE. This contrasts with the debate surrounding early exits, such as the sale of robotics firm Rivr to Amazon.

Global Expansion and Talent Gaps

Financial institutions are looking toward emerging markets and strategic diversification for growth. Blackstone is reportedly evaluating a substantial investment in the Indian Premier League, with potential deal sizes ranging between $200 million and $300 million, marking the firm's first foray into sports investment. This international expansion drive comes as European firms grapple with internal staffing challenges; data suggests a significant talent gap persists across Europe, forcing managers to recognize that "if you don't fill your roles, you're simply missing out". In fintech, digital bank Revolut has achieved record profits as it prepares for further expansion initiatives, while the UK remains a focal point for emerging technology companies like the UK soonicorns to watch.

AI Ethics and Corporate Governance

Discussions around generative AI governance are intensifying, creating debate over intellectual property rights. The chief executive of French AI champion Mistral recently sparked controversy by proposing a philosophy to "build code, not tax," in response to copyright concerns surrounding training data. These technological policy debates occur against a backdrop where established financial players are adapting to evolving market demands, exemplified by Altor's agreement to purchase the electrical installation services provider, which was announced alongside updates on UK pet care sector reforms.