Private Equity Monitor: Nearly Half of Exits Postponed

Amsterdam, 27 November 2025

Amid ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and cautious capital markets, European private equity (PE) firms are lengthening their investment horizons and delaying exits, according to the European Private Equity Monitor 2026, the latest research publication from Dealsuite, Europe’s leading M&A platform.

Over the past months, we worked with 532 private equity professionals from leading firms across Europe to analyse the current state of the European private equity market. The report reveals a mid-market segment navigating extended investment horizons and postponed exits, with growing confidence in improving exit conditions and higher acquisition activity ahead.

Investment Horizons Lengthen

In Dealsuite’s latest research, nearly two-thirds of European PE professionals report that their investment horizon has lengthened since 2022, with an average extension of five months. These changes are often linked to underperforming sectors that have grown more slowly than expected.

“Over the past few years, certain market segments have experienced lower-than-anticipated growth. Companies in these segments developed more slowly than expected, resulting in longer exit horizons. Fortunately, other segments showed strong growth, and we expect that portfolio companies in these areas can be exited within the planned timelines.” - Ewout Prins, Managing Partner, Holland Capital

Nearly Half of Exits Postponed

47% of PE professionals postponed exits originally planned for 2025, continuing a trend observed in the previous year. Still, sentiment remains positive: 58% of respondents expect improved exit performance in 2026, while 57% anticipate an increase in acquisition activity, suggesting optimism about market recovery.

AI Becomes Widespread in PE Workflows

The report shows a significant increase in technology adoption, particularly AI. In 2023, only 3% of PE professionals reported regular use of AI. By 2025, that number has surged to 41%, with AI now widely seen as common practice in the investment process.

AI is delivering the most value in market research (78% report significant benefit), followed by target evaluation and legal document analysis. AI is clearly enhancing operational efficiency and supporting strategic decision-making.

“AI tools are helping our investment team process information faster and identify insights more effectively, though everything still requires human validation and judgement.” says Sameer Rizvi, CEO of RD Capital Partners. “Used correctly, AI doesn’t replace decision-making, it enhances it by freeing time for higher-value strategic work.”

Cross-Border Activity Remains Strong

Cross-border dealmaking continues to be a strategic priority in European private equity. The Private Equity Monitor highlights that valuation differences across European markets remain a compelling driver of international activity. While openness to foreign buyers was already high in 2024—87% of PE professionals were open to selling to international acquirers, and 37% of exits were cross-border—this year’s data reinforces the rationale: average EBITDA multiples still vary significantly by region, creating opportunities for both higher exit valuations and strategic acquisitions.

“Cross-border dealmaking is increasingly driven by access to market and sector information, as well as valuation arbitrage. As the European mid-market continues to mature, we’re seeing a more sophisticated approach to cross-border growth.”

— Floyd Plettenberg, CEO, Dealsuite

About the Report

The European Private Equity Monitor 2026 offers a data-driven view of how private equity strategies are evolving in the European mid-market. It covers investment horizons, exit timing, capital raising, cross-border activity, and AI integration. The findings reflect perspectives from 532 PE professionals at leading firms across Europe, supported by proprietary Dealsuite transaction data.

About Dealsuite

Dealsuite is Europe’s largest M&A network, connecting more than 1,750 M&A advisory firms, private equity firms, and corporate development teams across 60+ countries. The platform supports deal sourcing, collaboration, and market transparency across the European mid-market.

‍

‍