EQT's EUR8 Billion GlobalConnect Exit: A Strategic Masterstroke in 2025 Private Equity Realization

EQT's potential EUR8 billion exit of GlobalConnect, its Nordic broadband and data center business, has emerged as a defining case study in private equity value realization during 2025. This transaction, part of a broader EUR13 billion exit surge by the firm in the first half of the year, underscores EQT's strategic agility in capitalizing on sector-specific opportunities amid a challenging market environmentEQT AB (publ) Half-year Report 2025^[1]. The sale, facilitated by Goldman Sachs as financial advisor, reflects a calculated move to monetize high-growth infrastructure assets while aligning with structural trends such as cloud adoption and energy transitionEQT Nordic Broadband and Data Centre Business Sale: Financial Times Report^[2].

Strategic Sector Focus: Digital Infrastructure as a Growth Engine

EQT's exit of GlobalConnect highlights its deepening commitment to digital infrastructure, a sector poised for sustained demand. GlobalConnect operates a 215,000 km fiber network, serving 900,000 residential and 30,000 business customers across the Nordic region and northern GermanyGlobalConnect - EQT Group^[3]. The asset's appeal lies in its scalable infrastructure and recurring revenue model, which align with the priorities of infrastructure-focused buyers such as Antin, a named potential bidderEQT's Strategic Dominance: Decoding the €13 Billion Exit Surge in Global Private Equity^[4].

This exit follows a broader trend of private equity firms targeting digital infrastructure, driven by the global shift toward cloud computing and 5G connectivity. According to a report by CorpDev.org, EQT's strategic specialization in sectors like healthcare and digital infrastructure has enabled it to achieve an 18% average value creation in key funds—surpassing the 11% industry average for European buyoutsEQT racks up $15.1B in exits, already surpassing last year’s total^[5]. The firm's ability to identify and scale such assets, coupled with its hybrid liquidity strategy (blending public sell-downs, full exits, and minority stakes), has positioned it as a leader in value extractionEQT AB (publ) Half-year Report 2025^[6].

Market Context: Liquidity Constraints and Exit Velocity

The urgency to realize value in 2025 is amplified by tightening liquidity conditions. EQT's average hold period of 4.1 years—compared to the industry average of 6.0 years—demonstrates its proactive approach to navigating these constraintsEQT's exits outpace investments for first time since …^[7]. The GlobalConnect exit, acquired in 2017, exemplifies this efficiency. By targeting a full divestment rather than a partial stake sale, EQT aims to maximize returns for investors while addressing the sector's competitive bidding landscapeEQT Nordic Broadband and Data Centre Business Sale: Financial Times Report^[8].

This strategy is further bolstered by EQT's fundraising momentum. The firm closed its sixth infrastructure fund, EQT Infrastructure VI, at a hard cap of EUR21.5 billion—a 35% increase over its predecessor—and has initiated fundraising for EQT XI with a EUR23 billion targetEQT AB (publ) Half-year Report 2025^[9]. These capital-raising successes, combined with the EUR13 billion in realizations, highlight EQT's dual strength in capital deployment and liquidity executionEQT's Strategic Dominance: Decoding the €13 Billion Exit Surge in Global Private Equity^[10].

Sector-Specific Opportunities: Healthcare and Digital Infrastructure Synergies

Beyond digital infrastructure, EQT's 2025 exit surge also leveraged healthcare sector opportunities. Full exits like Karo Healthcare and Nord Anglia Education, alongside the landmark IFS minority stake sale (valued at EUR15 billion), illustrate the firm's ability to diversify its monetization channelsEQT racks up $15.1B in exits, already surpassing last year’s total^[11]. This sectoral diversification—52% of AUM in Europe, 32% in North America, and 16% in Asia-Pacific—enables EQT to hedge against regional economic volatility while tapping into structural growth driversEQT's Strategic Dominance: Decoding the €13 Billion Exit Surge in Global Private Equity^[12].

The GlobalConnect exit, however, stands out for its alignment with global infrastructure megatrends. As tariff-driven supply chain realignments accelerate, demand for resilient digital infrastructure is expected to outpace traditional sectors. EQT's decision to divest GlobalConnect at a premium valuation reflects its confidence in these dynamics and its capacity to identify exit windows in high-conviction assetsEQT AB (publ) Half-year Report 2025^[13].

Conclusion: A Blueprint for 2025 Private Equity Strategy

EQT's EUR8 billion GlobalConnect exit encapsulates the firm's 2025 strategy: leveraging sector-specific growth drivers, optimizing liquidity execution, and maintaining geographic diversification. With EUR13 billion in realizations already surpassing 2024's total, the firm has set a benchmark for private equity value realization in a year marked by macroeconomic uncertaintyEQT's exits outpace investments for first time since …^[14]. For investors, this case study underscores the importance of strategic specialization and agile execution in unlocking value from high-potential sectors like digital infrastructure.