NextWave Private Equity

Private equity started 2026 with strong momentum, but fresh market volatility shifted dynamics toward greater selectivity. Investors are now focusing on high-quality, well-structured deals, particularly in asset-heavy sectors like energy, utilities, infrastructure and select real estate, where cash flows are visible and inflation linked. AI-led disruption is reshaping software investment strategie...

Private equity entered 2026 with renewed momentum following a strong rebound in 2025, marked by a 57% rise in deal value and a significant recovery in exits. Strategic buyers and secondaries helped unlock long‑delayed liquidity, while improved macro conditions and stabilized valuations strengthened underwriting confidence. With most GPs expecting increases in both acquisitions and exits over the n...

In Q3 2025, private equity activity surged, achieving a record US$310b in deal value as firms capitalized on narrowing valuation gaps and renewed market confidence. With 156 deals announced, including six exceeding US$10b, the sector is pivoting towards larger transactions. Improved financing conditions and creative deal structures are facilitating this momentum. Looking ahead, 61% of firms antici...

In the first half of 2025, private equity exits reached their highest levels in three years. Corporate acquirers became active buyers, and firms showed increased flexibility on valuations to facilitate the sale of long-held assets. Despite ongoing market volatility, global M&A activity rose by 30%, with private equity contributing significantly. Although fundraising challenges exist, many investor...

In Q1 2025, private equity firms saw a 45% rise in deal volume compared to the previous year. However, rising trade tensions are creating caution among investors. Many firms may limit capital deployment in the coming months, yet a higher-than-average risk tolerance indicates readiness to seize new opportunities. Firms are focusing on operational improvements within their portfolios and exploring s...

Matt Breitfelder, Partner, and Global Head of Human Capital at Apollo in conversation with Bridget Walsh, EY Global Head of Private Equity. In this episode Matt shares his insights about the role of talent and optimising personal performance in the asset management industry. The views of third parties set out in this podcast are not necessarily the views of the global EY organization or its member...

Angelo Rufino, Partner and Head of Special Situations in North America and Head of Corporate Special Situations in Europe for Bain Capital, joins Bridget Walsh, EY Global Head of Private Equity. In this episode Angelo shares his insights on the differentiated opportunities for Special Situations investing. 17 mins. The views of third parties set out in this podcast are not necessarily the views of...

Private equity enters 2025 with strong expectations amid favorable market conditions. In 2024, PE firms announced US$565b in deals, a 25% increase in value and 20% in volume from the previous year. Confidence is high, with 73% of GPs expecting increased deployment activity. Factors driving this optimism include narrowing valuation gaps, increased asset availability, and improved macro visibility....

The private equity (PE) market is bouncing back, with deal activity picking up thanks to clearer economic indicators and better financing options. Despite this dealmaking boost, exits are slower, posing challenges for investors and firms. The tech sector stands out, attracting significant PE interest due to favorable financing conditions, signaling a trend of increased tech-focused deals ahead.  ...

In this episode on the NextWave Private Equity Podcast, Matt Brown Founder, CEO and Chairman of CAIS, joins Bridget Walsh to discuss how technology can unlock private wealth for private equity.    Technology is revolutionizing the private wealth market, enabling independent advisors to access alternative investments and compete with larger firms. Founder, CEO and Chairman of CAIS, Matt Brown , sha...

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from Q2 2024 that are top of mind for Private Equity (PE) investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit  https://www.ey.com/pepulse to view this quarter's summary.  In this episode, Pe...

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from Q1 2024 that are top of mind for Private Equity (PE) investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit  https://www.ey.com/pepulse  to view this quarter's summary.  In this episode, w...

In this episode of the NextWave Private Equity podcast, Avi Kalichstein, co-founder and CEO of Hunter Point Capital, joins host Bridget Walsh to discuss the growing market for GP stakes.   The private equity landscape is shifting, with strategic capital becoming a vital piece of the puzzle. Hunter Point Capital's CEO, Avi Kalichstein, shares his insights on the nuances of GP stakes investing. List...

In this episode,  Flor Kassai, Head of the Buyout Fund at Inflexion Private Equity Partners, a leading mid-market private equity fund, joins our host Bridget Walsh, EY Global Private Equity Leader, to discuss the evolving middle market landscape.

In this episode of the NextWave Private Equity podcast, Oi-Yee Choo, CEO of ADDX, joins host Bridget Walsh to discuss tokenization and democratization of private markets. Blockchain is reshaping private investing, and Oi-Yee Choo, CEO of ADDX, shares how on the EY NextWave Private Equity podcast. Listen to find out how this technology is making private markets more accessible and what it means for...

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 4Q 2023 that are top of mind for Private Equity (PE) investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit  https://www.ey.com/pepulse  to view this quarter's summary.  In this episode, w...

Software's been a powerful theme for PE investors for much of the last decade, representing between one-quarter and one-third of total PE deployment. David Humphrey, Partner in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Vertical and Co-Head of Bain Capital's North American Private Equity business, discusses the philosophy into investing in the tech space.

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 3Q 2023 that are top of mind for Private Equity (PE) investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit https://www.ey.com/pepulse to view this quarter's summary. In this episode, Pete...

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 2Q 2023 that are top of mind for Private Equity (PE) investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit https://www.ey.com/pepulse  to view this quarter's summary. In this episode, Pet...

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 1Q 2023 that are top of mind for Private Equity (PE) investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit  https://www.ey.com/pepulse  to view this quarter's summary.  In this episode, w...

In this episode of the NextWave Private Equity podcast, Bridget Walsh, EY Global Private Equity Leader, will be discussing the entrance of retail investors in the private equity market with Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton.

In this episode, Mark Benedetti, Co-Head of Ardian US, joins our host Bridget Walsh, EY Global Private Equity Leader, to discuss the growing role of secondaries in the private equity market.

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 4Q 2022 that are top of mind for PE investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit  https://www.ey.com/pepulse  to view this quarter's summary.  2022 was an incredibly dynamic year...

Pete Witte, EY Global Private Equity Lead Analyst, explores the key themes and market dynamics from 3Q 2022 that are top of mind for PE investors. PE Pulse is a quarterly report and corresponding podcast miniseries that provides analysis and insights on private equity market activity and trends. Visit  https://www.ey.com/pepulse  to view this quarter's summary.  The PE sector continued to experien...

Greg Schooley, EY-Parthenon US Value Creation Leader, joins Winna Brown to discuss what tasks PE is outsourcing across business functions such as finance, IT, HR and customer service to create value. The path to successful value creation in private equity (PE) today goes beyond typical levers such as G&A cost-cutting, sales force effectiveness and strategic sourcing. It's about an approach that le...