BlueFive Targeting $3bn Defence-Focused Fund Amid Rising Regional Military Spending
Abu Dhabi‑based private equity firm BlueFive Capital is launching a $3 bn fund to invest in aerospace and defence companies as Middle East military spending rises. The vehicle targets an initial $1 bn close by Q3 2026 and will back firms whose technologies meet NATO standards. Former UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is acting as senior adviser, courting investors and portfolio companies. The move follows heightened demand for air‑defence systems and strained global supply chains, with the US accelerating weapons sales to regional allies.
Portco Data Concerns Flagged in Williams Lea Survey as GPs Look to Leverage AI; SaaS Pricing Model Shake-Up
Williams Lea’s latest survey reveals that many private‑equity portfolio companies struggle with dirty, inconsistent data, jeopardizing AI‑driven value creation. The report warns that without clean, compatible data, AI initiatives will falter at scale. Simultaneously, the survey notes a shift in...
Standard Life Buys Aegon UK for £2bn
Standard Life agreed to acquire Aegon UK for roughly £2 billion (about $2.5 billion), creating the United Kingdom’s largest retirement savings and income platform with 16 million customers and £480 billion ($600 billion) in assets under management. The transaction is funded by cash, debt and...
Next Sets Sights on Radley for Latest Acquisition
Next is negotiating to acquire the Radley brand and its intellectual property from Freshstream, the private‑equity owner that bought the label in 2016. The deal may be executed via a pre‑pack administration, while US restructuring specialist Gordon Brothers also shows...
The New Playbook for Emerging Managers
The latest Buyouts Insider podcast breaks down what limited partners (LPs) now demand from emerging managers, highlighting the shift toward proven track records, fee transparency, and strategic alignment. It also outlines frequent missteps made by first‑time funds, such as under‑estimating...
Add-On Operational Risk ‘Visible in a New Way’ for AI-Era Private Equity
Williams Lea’s Mike Raposa highlighted a growing operational‑risk blind spot as private‑equity firms chase AI‑driven value. A new survey of portfolio companies revealed widespread data inconsistencies that could undermine AI initiatives. Raposa argues that without a systematic view of add‑on...
Mortgage Advice Bureau Snaps up HomeOwners Alliance in Ambitious Move
Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) has acquired HomeOwners Alliance (HOA), a high‑traffic digital platform that offers tools and guidance to homeowners and prospective buyers. The purchase lets MAB engage consumers at the earliest stage of the home‑buying journey, well before they...
The Pulse of Private Equity – 4/13/2026
The latest Pulse of Private Equity chart shows software’s share of private‑equity deal value climbing to roughly 35% of total allocations by Q1 2026, while the HALO category has slipped below the 10% mark. Notable mega‑deals—Twitter/X at $44 B in Q2 2022, Electronic...
Leveraged Loan Insight & Analysis – 4/13/2026
Unitranche loan issuance in the United States slumped sharply in the first quarter of 2026, affecting both large‑corporate and middle‑market segments. The total volume, which typically oscillates between $40 billion and $80 billion, contracted markedly amid heightened concerns about AI‑driven disintermediation and...
US Airline M&A Speculation Grows: Do Market Realities Support a New Wave?
Recent chatter in the U.S. airline sector centers on possible consolidation, sparked by reports that JetBlue is evaluating a merger and comments from the Transportation Department about M&A headroom. Delta’s CEO recalled the 2008 fuel‑driven merger with Northwest, highlighting how...
Afterburner Capital, Council Capital Exit Advanced Care Partners
Afterburner Capital and Council Capital have sold their stakes in Advanced Care Partners (ACP) after an eight‑year investment. During that period ACP broadened its footprint into Georgia and Florida and grew its clinical workforce and operational capacity. The exit underscores...
British Business Bank Ups Pace for Emerging VC Funds
The British Business Bank announced that its Enterprise Capital Funds (ECF) programme will double the speed of capital commitments to emerging venture‑capital funds over the next few years. Mark Sims, head of development equity funds, said the acceleration aims to...
Investors Fly Blind Into Private Funds
A new Adams Street survey reveals that individual investors intend to increase allocations to private equity and credit funds, even though most lack a clear understanding of the underlying structures. The study shows a growing appetite for alternative assets among...
Eventbrite's New Owner Cuts Staff After Takeover
Italian tech firm Bending Spoons completed its March acquisition of Eventbrite, valuing the ticket‑selling platform at roughly $11 billion. Within weeks, the new owner cut a large portion of the U.S. workforce and rolled out product upgrades aimed at faster event creation,...
Tory Burch Seeks Loan to Buy Back General Atlantic’s Stake
Tory Burch LLC is arranging a $700 million leveraged loan to fund the repurchase of General Atlantic’s stake, allocating $346 million for the buy‑out. The loan, priced at 98.5 cents on the dollar, carries a 3.75‑4 percentage‑point spread over the benchmark and is accompanied...
Apple Chooses Amazon Satellites for iPhone, Years After Rejecting Starlink Offer
Amazon announced a $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar and a partnership that makes it the primary satellite service provider for iPhone and Apple Watch. The deal gives Amazon access to Globalstar’s existing low‑Earth‑orbit constellation, spectrum and Mobile Satellite Service licenses. Amazon...
Amazon Stock Pops on Double Satellite Win
Amazon’s stock rose about 4% after the company announced plans to acquire Globalstar and to expand its low‑Earth‑orbit Leo satellite network. The deal will fold Globalstar’s assets into Leo and is paired with a separate agreement to provide satellite texting...
Hyundai Returns to Raise $1.2 Billion From Prime Auto Leases
Hyundai Capital America is launching the Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust 2026‑B, a $1.2 billion transaction backed by 45,321 prime auto leases. The deal issues five tranches of A‑ and B‑class notes, with AAA‑rated A2 and A3 tranches holding a base...
26North Partners Tops Target by Almost 50% in Fund I
26North Partners’ inaugural Fund I has closed at nearly 50% above its original fundraising target, according to PEI Group data. The fund, launched in late 2023, saw its capital commitments almost double after the second close in early 2025. This...
Globalstar Stock Rises on Amazon Takeover. The Impact on AST SpaceMobile and Iridium.
Amazon announced a takeover of Globalstar, offering $90 per share in cash or Amazon stock at a 0.3210‑to‑1 ratio, capped at $90. The proposal values Globalstar at roughly $3.5 billion and sent its stock up 9.2%, while Amazon rose 4.0%. Competitor...
Leeds Equity Closes Oversubscribed Fund VIII
Leeds Equity Partners announced the closing of its eighth fund, Leeds Equity Partners VIII LP, with $1.9 billion in capital commitments, exceeding its target and surpassing the previous fund by more than $500 million. The fund focuses on control buyouts in the...
Thomas Riedel Acquires ARRI
Thomas Riedel, founder of Riedel Communications, announced the acquisition of ARRI, the German leader in cinema cameras, lighting, and workflow solutions. The deal, disclosed on April 14, 2026, aligns two family‑run enterprises and expands Riedel’s reach across the full production...
Instacart Acquires Instaleap to Expand Its Enterprise Platform Internationally
Instacart announced the acquisition of Colombia‑based grocery‑tech firm Instaleap, a move aimed at extending its enterprise platform beyond North America. Instaleap, founded in 2019, provides a fulfillment‑solutions platform used by retailers in roughly 30 countries across Latin America, Europe and...
Adams Street Closes $7.5bn Private Credit Fund as Strategy Assets Reach $15bn
Adams Street closed a $7.5 billion private‑credit fund, pushing its strategy’s assets under management to $15 billion. Leonard Green is close to a $3 billion buyout of construction consultancy Cumming Group, while Thoma Bravo is merging HCSS with Nemetschek Build & Construct to create a global construction‑tech platform....
LPL’s Latest Deal? Buying Advisors From Mariner It Already Works With
LPL Financial announced it will purchase part of the Mariner Advisor Network, encompassing 367 independent advisors who collectively manage about $31 billion in assets. The deal includes 144 hybrid advisors moving to LPL’s Private Advisor Group model while 223 remain directly...
Adams Street Seals $7.5bn of New Private Credit Firepower Through New Fund Close
Adams Street Partners announced the closing of its third private credit fund with $7.5 billion of commitments, including leveraged capital. The fundraising round attracted both existing backers and new institutional investors, reflecting robust appetite for private credit exposure. The fund will...
Adams Street Partners Holds $7.5bn Final Close
Adams Street Partners announced the final close of its third private credit platform, securing $7.5 bn in commitments. The fund will focus on senior financing for sponsored mid‑market companies across the United States and Europe. By targeting senior debt, the platform...
Stellex Secures $2.37bn for Biggest Fund yet, but Falls Short of $2.5bn Target
Stellex Capital Management announced the final close of its third flagship private‑equity fund at $2.37 billion, slightly below the $2.5 billion target. The new vehicle is roughly one‑third larger than the firm’s prior fund, highlighting growing investor appetite. Capital will be allocated...
AIP to Take Medtech Firm Avanos Medical Private
AIP, a private‑equity firm, announced plans to take Avanos Medical private at an estimated $1.272 billion valuation. The deal will remove Avanos from public markets, giving AIP full control over its medtech portfolio. Avanos, known for innovative airway and vascular devices,...
AppDirect Acquires PartnerStack to Build Unified Platform for Partner-Led Growth
San Francisco‑based AppDirect announced the acquisition of Toronto‑originated PartnerStack, a partner relationship management platform with more than 138,000 B2B partners. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will merge PartnerStack’s network and PRM tools with AppDirect’s marketplace infrastructure to...
THL Partners Appoints Dave Guilmette as Exec Partner in Fintech and Services Investment Group
Private equity firm THL Partners has appointed Dave Guilmette as an executive partner in its fintech and services investment group. Guilmette will lead the identification, sourcing, and growth of opportunities across insurance, employee benefits, and the broader financial services ecosystem....
Equinor Sells 8.07% Stake in Scatec for $169m
Equinor sold an 8.07% stake in Norwegian renewable developer Scatec for roughly $168.5 million, pricing shares at Nkr 125 ($13.16) each. After the transaction the oil major retains an 8.05% holding subject to a 90‑day lock‑up. Equinor first invested in Scatec in...
Thoma Bravo to Merge Construction Software Firm with Nemetschek’s Build and Construct Segment
Private equity firm Thoma Bravo is merging its construction‑software assets with Nemetschek SE’s Build and Construct segment, creating a combined entity focused on digital construction solutions. Under the agreement, Nemetschek will hold roughly 72% of the new business while Thoma...
Eni Completes Acea Acquisitions
Eni’s renewables arm Plenitude completed the purchase of Acea Energia and a 50% stake in Umbria Energy, adding roughly 1.2 million electricity and gas customers and bringing its total retail base to over 11 million. The transaction was priced at €500 million (≈$590 million)...
Golden Goose Looks to Bond Sale to Fund Private Equity Buyout
Golden Goose Group is marketing an €880 million ($1.04 billion) bond issuance to finance its acquisition by Chinese private‑equity firm HSG. The offering includes seven‑year fixed‑rate notes yielding in the mid‑to‑high 6% range and floating‑rate notes priced at Euribor + 400‑425 bps, with a minimum...
‘The Next Big Thing’: Newfund Raises €60m to Back Brain Technologies
Paris‑based early‑stage venture capital firm Newfund has closed a €60 million ($65 million) fund dedicated to brain technologies, aiming to back up to 25 European startups with seed‑stage checks of $1‑3 million. The fund is the first Europe‑only VC focused exclusively on neuro‑tech,...
MEAG-Warburg Pincus Deal Marks Further Shift in LP Demand for Defence
MEAG, the asset‑management arm of Munich Re, has pledged capital to a new defence‑focused fund managed by Warburg Pincus. The partnership marks a notable shift as limited partners increasingly allocate money to security‑related assets, especially in Europe. U.S. private‑equity firms...
360 ONE Asset Secures Rs 2,000 Crore in Commitments for Its PIPE Strategy
India asset manager 360 ONE Asset announced it has secured roughly $241 million (₹2,000 crore) in commitments for its Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) strategy. The vehicle targets high‑potential listed and late‑stage companies, offering structured capital, active governance support and flexible...
Samsung Asset Management Eyes Credit Secondaries, Co-Investments
Samsung Asset Management announced it will pursue credit‑secondaries and co‑investment opportunities, aiming to add a layer of downside protection amid volatile macro trends. Head of OCIO Seong Sup Cho said the strategy lets the firm move against the herd rather...
Manulife to Deploy More than $2bn in Private Credit
Manulife Financial announced it will allocate more than $2 billion to private‑credit investments in 2024, with an initial $400 million committed to five specialist managers. The capital will be used for senior secured loans, mezzanine debt and other specialty financing structures. The...
Payfast Founder Acquires iVeri
Jonathan Smit, the founder of Payfast, announced his acquisition of iVeri, a payment technology firm with a 30‑year legacy in Africa. Smit, who exited Payfast between 2019 and 2021 and now runs a portfolio of over 30 businesses, will retain...
Battery Ventures’ Zak Ewen: Software Company Value in ‘More than Just the Product’
Battery Ventures partner Zak Ewen told PE Hub that a software company’s worth extends beyond its code. He argues that firms with deep end‑market expertise, strong customer relationships, and valuable data are more resilient to AI‑driven disintermediation. Investors, therefore, should...
Goldman, Ardian Bought CIC’s $1 Billion US Private Equity Stake
Goldman Sachs and French private‑equity firm Ardian have each acquired a portion of a $1 billion U.S. private‑equity stake sold by China Investment Corp. (CIC). The transaction closed after CIC sought to trim its exposure to private‑market assets, with Ardian buying...
United CEO Has Pitched Possible Combination with Rival American
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has floated a possible merger with rival American Airlines, a deal that would create the world’s largest carrier and combine more than a third of the U.S. domestic market. Kirby, a former American executive, raised...
Rumor Fact(ory): DistroKid Explores $2B Sale
DistroKid, the DIY digital music distributor that claims to handle roughly 40% of new releases and serves over two million artists, is reportedly exploring a sale valued at $2 billion. The company’s last disclosed valuation was $1.3 billion in a 2021 funding...
Stryker to Acquire Amplitude Vascular Systems for Peripheral Vascular Portfolio
Stryker has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Amplitude Vascular Systems, bringing the latter’s intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) technology into its peripheral vascular portfolio. Amplitude’s CO₂‑generated pressure‑wave balloon catheter targets heavily calcified arteries, promising faster, more efficient revascularization. The companies will...
How to Survive the Transition to PE Ownership
The transition to private‑equity ownership forces CFOs to reset expectations, timelines, and the company’s value narrative. Finance leaders like Keith Durden and Connor Augustyn stress adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, building robust KPI reporting, and aligning closely with the PE investment...
Data Center ABS Iskandar and Kaveh Bring to Market, Raising $1.4 Billion
Iskandar Enterprise and Kaveh Enterprise have launched a $1.4 billion asset‑backed security backed by first‑lien mortgages on two Ashburn, Virginia data centers. The issuance consists of five fixed‑rate, interest‑only notes with a five‑year annual repayment date and a final legal maturity...
Mark Anthony Group of Companies Announces Plans to Acquire The Finnish Long Drink
Mark Anthony Group of Companies announced plans to acquire The Finnish Long Drink, a fast‑growing ready‑to‑drink (RTD) brand. The deal builds on Mark Anthony’s existing exclusive distribution partnership in Canada and aims to expand the brand across North America. Co‑founders...
Cooley Strengthens Fund Formation Practice With Private Equity Partner in New York
Cooley has added Derek Pease, a former Silver Lake legal director, as a partner in its New York fund formation practice. Pease brings over two decades of private‑equity legal experience, including leadership of multibillion‑dollar fundraises. The move expands Cooley’s private‑equity...
