Hackers targeted several prominent US private equity and financial firms, including Blackstone and CME, according to data cited in a Reuters report. The report highlights a cybersecurity threat directed at major players in the US financial sector.

Key Developments

The Reuters report identifies Blackstone and CME among the US private equity and financial firms that were targeted by hackers, based on available data. No additional details regarding the nature, scale, or outcome of the cyberattacks are available from the provided source material.

Source

This report is attributed to Reuters. The full article is available via the Reuters website. No further data points or financial figures were included in the provided source material to elaborate upon.

Blackstone Energy Transition Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DarkVision Technologies Inc. from Koch Engineered Solutions (KES), a unit of Koch, Inc. The deal targets the North Vancouver-based specialist in advanced ultrasound imaging technologies used for inspecting critical industrial infrastructure. This acquisition allows Blackstone to expand its portfolio in energy transition assets by securing a platform that enhances asset safety and maintenance through high-resolution imaging and AI-driven defect quantification.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, with financial terms not disclosed. Stifel and Guggenheim Securities acted as financial advisors, while Kirkland & Ellis and Bennett Jones served as legal advisors to Blackstone. Evercore served as the financial advisor and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin as the legal advisor to DarkVision.

Founded in 2013, DarkVision employs approximately 300 people and serves customers across global industrial and energy markets. The company develops proprietary technology across the entire stack, including imaging sensors, silicon chips, defect-quantifying AI models, and rendering software that transforms ultrasound data into photorealistic 3D visuals. These solutions help clients assess asset integrity by identifying defects and associated risks.

Strategic Rationale

Darius Sepassi, Senior Managing Director, and Danny Brennan, Managing Director at Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, stated that rising demand for aging and in-development critical energy infrastructure increases the need for platforms that improve production efficiency and prevent downtime. They cited DarkVision’s reputation for innovation and its portfolio of proprietary technologies as key factors in enhancing the safety and resilience of critical assets.

David Foley, Global Head of Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, described DarkVision as a market-leading company built by exceptional entrepreneurial founders with differentiated technology. He noted that Blackstone’s resources across industrial and energy markets position the firm to support continued innovation and scaling under the leadership of founders Stephen Robinson and Graham, along with the management team.

Stephen Robinson, CEO and Founder of DarkVision, said the partnership with Blackstone supports the company’s vision of becoming the global leader in non-destructive testing. He highlighted the company’s first-principles approach to building disruptive products that deliver value to customers, noting that the business is still in the early stages of its journey with opportunities to advance ultrasound technology generations.

Dave Dotson, President of Koch Engineered Solutions, expressed confidence in DarkVision’s position for continued growth under Blackstone’s ownership. He acknowledged the team’s vision and partnership since joining KES, where DarkVision advanced its inspection technologies and expanded capabilities for operators managing critical assets.

What the Numbers Show

While the transaction value is undisclosed, the deal highlights Blackstone’s broader strategy in the energy sector. Blackstone Energy Transition Partners has invested over $29 billion of equity globally across various sectors within the energy transition landscape. This acquisition adds a specialized technology provider to a portfolio focused on backing management teams with flexible capital to improve performance and deliver reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy.