Happy Friday! The week comes to a close with a significant VC round and a quintet of PE moves in the U.S., Europe, and APAC.
VC
A16z leads $300m round for AI inference software developer at $3bn valuation
Andreessen Horowitz led a $300 million Series B investment in Gimlet Labs, an AI inference software developer, with participation from Sapphire Ventures, M12, Arm, Menlo Ventures, and Factory. The financing values Gimlet at $3 billion and brings its total funding to $392 million.
Gimlet develops multi-silicon inference software that allows GPUs and purpose-built accelerators to operate as one system for AI workloads. The company emerged from stealth in October 2025.
Private Equity
KKR takes minority stake in Malaysian hospital operator
KKR agreed to make a minority investment in Avisena Healthcare, a Malaysian healthcare provider that operates two specialist hospitals. Terms were not disclosed.
The investment will support expansion of Avisena’s multispecialty services at its existing hospitals and development of new hospitals in Malaysia‘s Klang Valley. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
KKR to exit minority stake in Danish biomarker business
KKR agreed to sell its 10% minority stake in Nordic Bioscience to Claus Christiansen, the company’s founder and majority shareholder. Terms were not disclosed.
KKR invested in Nordic Bioscience via its Health Care Strategic Growth strategy. KKR backed the Denmark-based company’s efforts to strengthen its position in the biomarker market across R&D services, diagnostics, and drug development. Kugan Sathiyanandarajah, partner and head of KKR’s European Healthcare Private Equity and Healthcare Strategic Growth teams, will exit the company’s board at its next general meeting.
CVC to acquire control of Australian insurance repair provider
CVC Capital Partners Asia VI agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Ambrose Construct Group, an Australian provider of insurance repair and restoration services, from shareholders including CPE Capital and founders Brett Ambrose and Melissa Ambrose. Terms were not disclosed.
The founders and management will remain invested and continue to lead the company. CVC’s investment will support spending on technology, operations, service specialization, and geographic expansion, with completion expected by early 2027 subject to regulatory approvals.
CVC invests in U.S. healthcare textile services provider
CVC will invest in Unitex Textile Services through its Strategic Opportunities platform alongside the Potack family, marking the healthcare textile services provider’s first outside equity investment since its founding in 1922. Terms were not disclosed.
The Potack family will retain a significant stake and continue to lead the company. The investment will support Unitex’s operational capacity, commercial initiatives, digital infrastructure, new facilities, and acquisition strategy across its Northeast U.S. market.
OEP invests in railcar and locomotive maintenance provider
One Equity Partners (OEP) partnered with Metro East Industries, a U.S. provider of railcar and locomotive maintenance and repair services. Terms were not disclosed.
Metro East operates a main campus in Alorton, Ill., and six mobile service locations serving railroads, leasing companies and other rail equipment operators nationwide. OEP plans to invest in the company’s existing operations and expand its capabilities and service offerings.
