PE HUB

Accel-KKR turned AI investment into a 10x TAM expansion and a $1.8bn exit. Smart Communications’ growth story shows how leadership, product depth and timing drive premium outcomes. Read more: okt.to/1Wpe0V #PrivateEquity

Entrepreneurial Equity Partners has sold Furlani Foods to Arbor Investments after a hold of under three years. The exit followed capacity expansion and the add-on acquisition of Cole’s Quality Foods. Read more: okt.to/PuRSFm #PrivateEquity

Blackstone is set to acquire a majority stake in Advanced Cooling Technologies through its Energy Transition Partners platform. The thermal management specialist serves power, industrial and data center markets. Read the exclusive: okt.to/lK0O47 #PrivateEquity

PE firms including Astorg, EQT and TA Associates are active in the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) sector as demand rises alongside novel drug development. PE Hub rounds up five recent deals: okt.to/bNCXsG

Searchlight Capital Partners has exited RWI provider Euclid Transactional to CRC Group, highlighting growing demand for transactional risk insurance in M&A. Meanwhile Monomoy has agreed to buy Jiffy Lube from Shell for about $1.3bn. Read more: okt.to/6bF7zL

Infrastructure maintenance and water services are drawing PE capital. H.I.G. Capital-backed Coriant makes another add-on, while EQT and Ambienta pursue water treatment deals. Plus, Level 20’s Gurpreet Manku on diversity progress. Read more: okt.to/BJsDMr

Sports is emerging as a serious PE asset class. At NEXUS 2026, leaders from Arctos, 26North and Clearlake shared why institutional capital is moving into sports, from durable league cashflows to global media growth. Read more: okt.to/24NGAs

Streaming data and studio alignment are reshaping music investing. Cutting Edge Group’s Tim Hegarty explains why the firm targets film and TV composer catalogs, including its latest deal for Emmy-winning composer John Paesano. Read more: okt.to/bi8vY0

🎥 “The era of easy returns, easy private equity is over.” At NEXUS 2026, Brookfield PE president David Nowak told PE Hub that operating improvements, not financial engineering, will separate winners in this cycle. Watch the full interview: okt.to/YuM1xH

Health-focused brands are leading PE food deals in 2026. Protein, wellness and GLP-1 tailwinds are lifting valuations, while traditional snacking faces pressure. Read the full interview: okt.to/7lIvyT

OEP is eyeing US add-ons for Germany’s Bartec as it bets on M&A to scale in a fragmented explosion protection market. Plus: Sovereign buys UK wealth manager Equilibrium and PAI completes a €3.6bn Froneri reinvestment. Read more: okt.to/SfyMO6

PE is ramping up data center and healthcare education bets. US vacancy is near 1% in some markets, while a projected 11m global healthcare worker shortfall is driving medical training deals. Read more: okt.to/KPnEqp

Big move in secondaries: EQT Group is buying Coller Capital for up to $3.7bn, formally entering the market. CEO Per Franzen says secondaries will “outgrow the rest of the industry.” Details: okt.to/NlJmwz

Bluejay Capital bullish on warehousing with BWT investment dlvr.it/Sddf1x

Arcline, growing at rapid pace, hits market with third fund dlvr.it/SddY81

MiddleGround-backed Lindsay Precast acquires manufacturer Dutchland dlvr.it/SddWWS

Gilbridge joins Latham Watkin’s investment funds practice as partner dlvr.it/SddKsX

Trive Capital backs software firm Forward Slope dlvr.it/SddHHs

Brookfield takes minority stake in SBB’s public education portfolio dlvr.it/SddGRy

Backing Minds believes success can be found in venture’s blind spots dlvr.it/SddDN0