Notable Large Private Equity Firms

1. 3i Group

3i Group is a publicly held investment firm that targets both private equity and venture capital investments across Europe, North America, and Asia. Within private equity, 3i will consider buyout, growth capital, and minority investment situations. For growth capital financings, 3i can commit up to EUR250 million in transactions valued up to EUR1 billion. Within venture capital, 3i typically invests EUR1 to EUR75 million per transaction. Target sectors include business services, healthcare, consumer, media, oil/gas & power, technology, and financial services. 3i also has a dedicated investment fund focused on infrastructure assets. 3i Group dates back to 1967 and is based in London, with 22 additional offices around the world.

2. CCMP Capital

CCMP Capital Advisors is a large private equity firm focused on buyout and growth equity opportunities across Asia, North America and Western Europe. Sectors of interest include consumer, retail, and services (specialty retail, direct marketing, consumer packaged goods); media/telecom (consumer and trade publishing, content and programming, broadcasting, cable, wireless and wireline communications ); industrial (chemicals, manufacturing, distribution, automotive); energy (exploration and production, power generation, renewable energy, services); and healthcare (services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices). CCMP Capital Advisors was formed in 1984 and has offices in New York, Houston, and London.

3. EQT Partners

EQT Partners is a Swedish private equity group that looks for middle market opportunities in Northern Europe and China. EQT Partners does not focus on any specific sector when evaluating investments, but rather looks for growth opportunities and solid management teams. In addition to equity funds, EQT manages and provides mezzanine capital, and capital for companies that need restructuring. EQT preferably makes controlling or co-controlling equity investments in companies. Prospective businesses generally have strong cash-flow, operate in changing industries, and have significant potential for top-line earnings growth. EQT is based in Stockholm and has additional offices in Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Hong Kong, London, Munich, New York, Oslo, Shanghai, Warsaw and Zurich.

4. Golden Gate Capital

Golden Gate Capital is a large private equity firm that makes buyout and growth equity investments across a wide variety of industries. The Firm partners with management teams to make equity investments in situations where there is a demonstrable opportunity to significantly enhance a company's value. Industry sectors of interest include software and IT services, semiconductors, electronics, consumer products and retail, financial services, business services, and media. Prospective transaction types include public-to-privates, corporate extractions, bankruptcy auctions, and recapitalizations. Golden Gate Capital was formed in 2000 and is based in San Francisco, California.

5. Hellman & Friedman

Hellman & Friedman (H&F) is a large private equity firm focused on control and minority investments in a variety of transaction structures across the US and Europe. H&F prefers buyouts and restructurings in businesses operating in defensible markets with predictable revenue and earnings growth. Target sectors include financial services, healthcare, indusrial, energy, insurance, media, marketing, professional services, software, and information services. H&F's target equity investment size is $200 to $750 million. Hellman & Friedman was formed in 1984 and has offices in San Francisco, California; New York City; and London.

6. One Equity Partners

One Equity Partners (OEP) is a private equity firm that targets buyout and growth capital investments in North America, Europe, and Asia. OEP prefers to be the lead investor and typically commits $50 to $200 million per transaction. Sectors of interest include industrial products/services, consumer, retail, chemicals, media, communications, and healthcare. OEP was formed in 2001 and is solely funded by JP Morgan Chase. The Firm is based in New York City with additional offices in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Chicago, and Menlo Park.