What is a PE investment?

Typically, PE investments are made into mature businesses in traditional industries in exchange for equity, or ownership stake. PE is a major subset of a larger, more complex piece of the financial landscape known as the private markets. PE is an alternative asset class alongside real estate, venture capital, distressed securities, and more.

What is a PE fund?

A PE fund is a pool of capital raised by PE investors and sourced from LPs. Both private equity funds and hedge funds are restricted to accredited investors. However, the biggest differences between PE funds and hedge funds are fund structure and investment targets.

What does a PE investor do?

PE investors may invest in a company that’s stagnant or distressed, but still shows signs for growth potential. When a PE firm sells one of its portfolio companies to another company or investor, the firm usually makes a profit and distributes returns to LPs that invested in its fund. Some PE-backed companies may also go public.