Apollo Funds Acquire Smart Start (1A Smart Start, LLC)

Apollo Funds Make Strategic Equity Investment in PetSmart

July 24, 2023

Retail

Funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management have agreed to make a strategic equity investment in PetSmart, with BC Partners and its co-investors (including GIC and PetSmart management) remaining majority shareholders and retaining board control. The investment is intended to support PetSmart’s growth and operational initiatives across its omnichannel retail and services business; the transaction is expected to close in Q4 2023 and terms were not disclosed.

Apollo Funds Acquire IGT's Gaming & Digital Business from Brightstar Lottery

July 1, 2025

Media & Entertainment

Funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management completed the acquisition of International Game Technology PLC’s Gaming & Digital business from Brightstar Lottery (formerly IGT). Brightstar received approximately $4.0 billion of net cash proceeds, which it will use to reduce near-term debt, return $1.1 billion to shareholders (a $3.00 per-share special dividend plus a $500 million repurchase authorization), and fund other corporate priorities; Brightstar will continue to trade as Brightstar Lottery (BRSL).

Apollo Funds Acquire Majority Stake in The State Group

November 18, 2024

Industrial Services

Funds managed by Apollo's Impact and Clean Transition strategies have acquired a majority stake in The State Group from Blue Wolf Capital, with Blue Wolf and existing management retaining minority ownership. The State Group, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, is a multi‑trade industrial services contractor providing electrical, mechanical, robotics and automation services across industrial end markets; Apollo said the investment will support capability expansion and the company's role in the energy transition.

Apollo Funds Acquire Majority Stake in Bold Production Services

February 12, 2025

Energy

Funds managed by Apollo affiliates have acquired a majority interest in Bold Production Services, a Houston-based provider of contracted natural gas treatment solutions. The investment will support Bold's growth and expansion of its fleet and services to meet rising U.S. natural gas demand across Permian and Eagle Ford basins.

Stagwell Acquires Apollo Program, AI-Powered SaaS Platform

July 18, 2022

Cloud & SaaS

Stagwell has acquired Apollo Program, a real-time AI-powered SaaS platform that delivers consumer, creative and contextual insights for marketers. Apollo will be integrated into Stagwell’s Marketing Cloud and its CUE data and insights unification tool to expand the company’s martech capabilities; terms were not disclosed.

Athene and Apollo Acquire Majority Stake in Aqua Finance at ~$1B Valuation

November 29, 2021

Financial Services

Athene agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Aqua Finance, a Wisconsin-based consumer lending platform, from funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities at a valuation of approximately $1 billion. Apollo will manage the investment on behalf of Athene, while Blackstone will retain a minority stake; the investor group plans to support growth through technology investments and expanded origination capacity.