Europe

The firm raised nearly $9bn from individual investors in Q3, led by $2.9bn of inflows into its private equity wealth channel vehicle, according to its latest quarterly results.

More than 100 defence and security strategies are raising capital – or preparing to do so – in the region, with mid-market specialists offering the best potential returns, according to the European Investment Fund and a new report from Rede Partners.

The adoption of artificial intelligence is well underway for private equity firms, with cost reduction being a major focus.

Cyber risk, the need for proprietary data and the rush to finance AI are top of mind for Carlyle Group CEO Harvey Schwartz.

Launched in June 2025, EQT XI has so far raised at least €11.5bn of its €23bn target, according to CEO Per Franzén.

Private equity funds raised in recent years hold far more undeployed capital than earlier vintages at the same stage in their life, PEI Group data shows.

Europe has proven comparatively resilient, while venture capital – especially in Asia-Pacific – continues to bear the brunt of the industry’s fundraising slowdown.

PE funds raised $702bn between Q1 and Q3 2026, around $101bn or 17% more than the same period in 2025.

The firm started raising the strategy in Q2 and aims to reach final close by Q1 next year as more funds emerge in this space, Private Equity International has learned.