We keep our ear to the ground for the interesting stats, insights and discussion points you need to feel in the know to shape the future with confidence.

1. Run the numbers

Private equity firms are still investing, but they’re being much more deliberate about where they place their bets. As AI raises new questions around the future of software businesses, many investors are shifting their focus toward sectors with steadier demand, including healthcare, energy, infrastructure and data centers. Despite a slowdown in tech deals, investment activity outside of technology continues to grow, and exits have remained relatively stable thanks to strong corporate appetite for quality assets. Looking ahead, firms are feeling more confident about the market, with many expecting both dealmaking and exits to pick up as opportunities emerge across the infrastructure and services needed to support AI’s next chapter.

Private Equity Pulse: key takeaways from Q2 2026

2. Better together

AI can only scale so far in silos. The first wave of experimentation has shown what’s possible. Now leaders face a different challenge: embedding AI into everyday work across the business. That depends on how people work together. Teams move faster when they build on shared foundations, learn from one another and avoid reinventing the wheel with every new use case. Organizations that invest in collaboration and adaptable technology will be better equipped to expand AI adoption and turn early momentum into long-term value.

How ecosystem partnerships accelerate enterprise AI scale

3. Counting on change

Big plans only matter if they lead to action. Many CFOs want to play a bigger role in shaping what’s next for the business, but fewer are driving the decisions that matter most. Capacity is where many finance teams hit a wall. Teams are stretched, outdated metrics don’t tell the full story, and tomorrow’s finance leaders aren’t being developed quickly enough. The organizations pulling ahead are investing in more adaptable teams, giving finance a stronger seat at the table, and using better insights to make better decisions. The question is who will make that shift before the opportunity passes them by…

How CFOs can accelerate value creation: five lessons in leadership, metrics and talent

4. Growth, but make it profitable

Entrepreneurs haven’t lost their appetite for growth, they’ve just started reading the price tag. In a world where capital is harder to come by, founders are swapping «growth at all costs» for growth that actually pays the bills. AI is now the baseline, but simply using it won’t set anyone apart. They’re also getting smarter about partnerships, talent and where they place their bets. The era of «we’ll figure out the business model later» is looking a little tired.

CEO priorities: how entrepreneurs turn discipline into scale

5. Burden of proof

Private credit has spent years as one of the market’s biggest success stories. Now it’s facing tougher questions. As the sector expands and becomes more intertwined with insurers, pension funds and individual investors, regulators are paying closer attention to the potential for risk to spread across the financial system. Recent defaults and investor withdrawals have only added to those concerns. Earning trust now requires more than a strong track record. Firms that can clearly communicate their risks, decision-making and data will be better prepared as regulatory attention continues to intensify.