In this post, we look ahead to 2026, a year in which we will once again do everything we can to connect investors with the best opportunities in the private markets.
From a geopolitical perspective, 2026 has started off relatively turbulent, which understandably has implications for financial markets. At the same time, many market observers believe we are entering a favourable phase for M&A activity. Transaction volumes are picking up again, often referred to as the “thawing of the market.” This is highly relevant for Marktlink Capital, as our first funds from the 2020 and 2021 vintages have entered the distribution phase. A supportive exit environment helps realise the value built up in the underlying funds.
A review of recent reports also shows a broad consensus among experts: in 2026, success will increasingly be driven by funds that demonstrate strong operational excellence. Historically, mid-market companies are where private equity can truly add tangible value. This is not a new insight—Marktlink Capital’s strategy has focused on investing in funds that excel operationally in the mid-market from the very beginning, and we see no reason to deviate from this approach in 2026.
On the venture side, AI continues to dominate the conversation. 2026 will be the year in which it becomes clear which companies are genuinely able to benefit from the AI revolution, particularly at the application layer, where general models are refined into concrete apps and use cases. That said, it would be a mistake to narrow the discussion exclusively to AI. AI also serves as an enabler for the development of new technologies more broadly. With AI-assisted coding, deep research tools and similar innovations, the friction between idea and product continues to decrease. This theme is also highly relevant for private equity: funds that successfully deploy AI across their portfolio companies gain a clear competitive edge.
Societal interest in innovation and the private financing that supports it has increased in recent years. Shortly before the end of the year, former ASML CEO Peter Wennink published a report in which he sharply criticised the Dutch innovation ecosystem. According to the former CEO, there is significant work to be done; to remain competitive, hundreds of billions of euros will be required in the coming years to sustain Europe’s economic position. This report builds on the recommendations of the well-known Draghi report, which highlighted similar challenges across Europe. In line with these findings, Marktlink Capital continues to contribute to a stronger European tech ecosystem by connecting private investors with leading European investment opportunities.
At Marktlink Capital, we will continue along the same path as in previous years. In 2026, we will once again offer carefully curated private equity and venture capital funds, strengthen partnerships with leading fund managers through feeder funds, and continue our expansion in Belgium. Earlier this month, we announced the renewal of our partnership with the Dutch top-tier fund Main Capital Partners. We also look forward to making 2026 another great year for the Marktlink Capital Investor Community. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates on the social, sporting and content-driven events we will be organising throughout the year.
