# Private Equity Buyers: How to Find a Buyer for Your Business in 2026

> 64 private equity firms announced new buyout and growth funds in 2026, about $151B in total. Who buys businesses, what a sale to private equity pays and which buyer fits your company.

Guides · 31 October 2026 · by Giorgio Fenancio · https://privateequitylist.com/intelligence/private-equity-buyers

**Key takeaways**

- **The short answer:** to find a private equity buyer for your business, start with firms that have just raised a fund, because they must invest it. 64 private equity firms announced new buyout or growth funds in 2026, about $151B in total.
- **Who buys:** private equity funds of every size, family offices with their own money, independent sponsors who raise capital deal by deal, and strategic buyers in your industry.
- **Smaller companies:** 25 of the buyers are US firms with new funds under $1B. O2 Investment Partners looks at companies with up to $15M of EBITDA, Mangrove Equity Partners at $3–10M of pre-tax profit.
- **Price:** private equity deals of $1M–$500M averaged 7.2x EBITDA in 2025, according to GF Data.
- **Rollover:** sellers often keep 10–30% of the equity in middle-market deals, so part of the price comes at the next sale.
- **Biggest new funds:** Advent International raised $30B across two funds, Francisco Partners $21B and Clearlake Capital $14.8B.

- **64**: private equity buyers (new buyout or growth fund in 2026)
- **$151B**: in their new funds (as announced)
- **$1B**: typical new fund (across 66 funds)
- **25**: US buyers with funds under $1B (lower middle market)

**Private equity buyers with a 2026 fund, by headquarters**

| | Value |
|---|---:|
| United States | 50 |
| Continental Europe | 7 |
| United Kingdom | 3 |
| Asia | 3 |
| Canada | 1 |

Source: Private Equity List fund tracker, 1 January – 30 October 2026

**New buyout and growth funds of 2026 by size**

| | Value |
|---|---:|
| $1–5B | 29 |
| Under $500M | 23 |
| $500M–1B | 9 |
| $5B+ | 5 |

Source: Private Equity List fund tracker, fund size as announced

**Continental Europe:** Norway (2), Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain and Poland. **Asia:** Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

## What a private equity buyer is: a fund that buys to sell again

**Private equity buyer:** a fund that buys companies with money from pension funds, endowments and wealthy families, then sells them a few years later.\
**Also called:** a financial buyer, as opposed to a strategic buyer, which is a company in your industry.\
**How it pays:** with equity from its fund plus a loan, often from [private credit funds](https://privateequitylist.com/intelligence/private-credit-funds-and-firms) or [mezzanine lenders](https://privateequitylist.com/intelligence/mezzanine-lenders-and-funds).\
**What it wants:** steady profit, room to grow and a management team that stays after the sale.

## Who buys businesses: strategic vs financial buyers, family offices and independent sponsors

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th></th><th>Private equity fund</th><th>Strategic buyer</th><th>Family office</th><th>Independent sponsor</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>Who it is</td><td>A fund that buys companies with investors' money</td><td>A company in your industry or next to it</td><td>A family investing its own money</td><td>A dealmaker without a fund who raises money for each deal</td></tr>
<tr><td>What it wants</td><td>Profit growth it can sell later</td><td>Your products, customers or cost savings</td><td>Long-term ownership</td><td>One good company to buy</td></tr>
<tr><td>Do you keep a stake?</td><td>Often: 10–30% rollover is common</td><td>Usually not</td><td>Sometimes, minority or majority</td><td>Depends on the deal</td></tr>
<tr><td>After the sale</td><td>Grows the company, often with add-on acquisitions, then sells it</td><td>Folds your business into its own</td><td>Holds it without a fund deadline</td><td>Owns it with the funds that backed the deal</td></tr>
<tr><td>Examples</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/o2-investment-partners">O2 Investment Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/wind-point-partners">Wind Point Partners</a></td><td>Your largest competitors and suppliers</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/kirk-kapital-as">Kirk Kapital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/franz-haniel-cie">Franz Haniel & Cie</a></td><td>Sponsors backed by GEM's $685M fund</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

**Private equity by size:** the 64 buyers range from [Excelsior Capital Vietnam](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/excelsior-capital-vietnam), with a second fund of over $170M, to [Advent International](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/advent-international-corporation), with $30B across two funds.\
**Family offices:** they invest their own money and have no fund to return. [Atlantic Capital](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/atlantic-capital) in Breda, for example, buys Benelux SMEs with EBITDA of €0–3M.\
**Independent sponsors:** they find a company first, then raise equity for it. [GEM closed a $685M Independent Sponsors Fund II](https://pulse2.com/gem-closes-685-million-independent-sponsors-fund-ii-to-expand-lower-middle-market-private-equity-investments/) in 2026 to back them; see our guide to [independent sponsors](https://privateequitylist.com/intelligence/independent-sponsors).\
**Strategic buyers:** competitors, suppliers and customers. They often pay for what your business adds to theirs, and usually buy all of it.

## Selling to private equity: what buyers pay in 2026

- **7.2x**: average EBITDA multiple (PE deals of $1M–$500M, 2025)
- **10–30%**: equity sellers often roll over (middle-market deals)
- **$350K**: median small-business sale (Q3 2026, BizBuySell)
- **2,132**: small businesses sold (Q3 2026, BizBuySell)

**Price:** private equity deals of $1M–$500M [averaged 7.2x EBITDA in 2025](https://middlemarketgrowth.org/webinar-gf-data-2025-recap-2026-outlook/), according to GF Data. That was in line with the two years before and below 7.6x in 2021 and 2022.\
**Smaller businesses:** main-street sales are a different market. [BizBuySell counted 2,132 businesses sold in Q3 2026](https://finviz.com/news/404656/bizbuysell-releases-q3-2026-insight-report), at a median price of $350,000.\
**Rollover:** in middle-market deals, [rollover often falls in the 10% to 30% range](https://blog.portebrown.com/rollover-equity-in-private-equity-deals-what-business-owners-should-know). The seller keeps that share and is paid again when the fund sells.\
**Why buyers ask for it:** [a rollover shows that the seller believes in the business](https://www.lathropgpm.com/insights/rollover-equity-in-a-sale-to-a-private-equity-firm-sellers-concerns/) and keeps the seller committed after closing.

## Biggest new buyout funds of 2026: Advent, Francisco Partners and Clearlake

**Largest new buyout and growth funds of 2026, $B**

| | Value |
|---|---:|
| Advent International (two funds) | $30B |
| Francisco Partners (two funds) | $21B |
| Clearlake Capital | $14.8B |
| Bain Capital | $10.5B |
| THL Partners | $6.35B |
| Main Capital Partners (two funds) | $5.78B |
| PSG | $4.84B |
| CVC | $3.3B |
| Wind Point Partners | $3.2B |
| Kingswood Capital Management | $3.1B |

Source: Private Equity List fund tracker, fund size as announced

- **[Advent International](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/advent-international-corporation)** [raised $30B across two new funds](https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/advent-global-funds-499347), GPE XI and a Mid-Market Fund. It invests in business and financial services, consumer, healthcare, industrial and technology.
- **[Francisco Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/francisco-partners)** [raised $21B across its flagship and Agility funds](https://pulse2.com/francisco-partners-raises-21-billion-across-flagship-and-agility-funds/). It buys technology and tech-enabled service companies.
- **[Clearlake Capital](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/clearlake-capital)** [closed its eighth flagship fund at $14.8B](https://vcwire.tech/2026/06/19/clearlake-capital-group-closes-eighth-flagship-fund-at-14-8-billion/). Technology, industrials and consumer are its main sectors.
- **[Bain Capital](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bain-capital)** [raised $10.5B for Asia Fund VI](https://pulse2.com/bain-capital-10-5-billion-raised-for-asia-fund-vi/), its pool for deals in Asia.
- **[THL Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/thl-partners)** [raised $6.35B for Fund X](https://vcwire.tech/2026/05/05/thl-partners-raises-6-35-billion-for-fund-x/). The money goes to middle-market companies in financial technology, healthcare, and technology and business solutions.
- **[Main Capital Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/main-capital-partners)** [closed a €5.25B dual fundraise](https://vestbee.com/insights/articles/main-capital-closes-5-25-b) in The Hague. It buys enterprise software companies in the Benelux, DACH, the Nordics, France and the US.

## Which private equity buyer fits your business

### By sector

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Your business</th><th>Buyers with a 2026 fund</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>Software and tech-enabled services</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/serent-capital">Serent Capital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/l-squared-capital-partners">L Squared Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/psg">PSG</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/francisco-partners">Francisco Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/main-capital-partners">Main Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bregal-milestone">Bregal Milestone</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Healthcare services</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/seven-hills-capital">Seven Hills Capital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/regal-healthcare-capital-partners">Regal Healthcare Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/sheridan-capital-partners">Sheridan Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/consonance-capital-partners">Consonance Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/ampersand-capital-partners">Ampersand Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/aphias-capital">Aphias Capital</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Manufacturing and industrials</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/continuim-equity-partners">Continuim Equity Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/artemis-capital-partners">Artemis Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/dominus-capital">Dominus Capital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/mangrove-equity-partners">Mangrove Equity Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/iron-path-capital">Iron Path Capital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/gennx360-capital-partners">GenNx360 Capital Partners</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Financial services</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/estancia-capital-management">Estancia Capital Management</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/lightyear-capital">Lightyear Capital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/lionlight-capital-lp">LionLight Capital</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/preservation-capital-partners">Preservation Capital Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/thl-partners">THL Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/apis-partners">Apis Partners</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Consumer brands, restaurants and franchises</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/topspin-consumer-partners">Topspin Consumer Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/savory-fund">Savory Fund</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/princeton-ventures">Princeton Equity Group</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/wind-point-partners">Wind Point Partners</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Government, defence and infrastructure services</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/capitol-meridian-partners">Capitol Meridian Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/warren-equity">Warren Equity</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/artemis-capital-partners">Artemis Capital Partners</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Education and workforce</td><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/achieve-partners">Achieve Partners</a><br><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/l-squared-capital-partners">L Squared Capital Partners</a></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

### By company size

Some buyers state the size of company they want in their profiles. The list runs from the smallest to the largest.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Buyer</th><th>Type</th><th>Company it looks for</th><th>Headquarters</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/atlantic-capital">Atlantic Capital</a></td><td>Family office</td><td>EBITDA of €0–3M, minority or majority stakes</td><td>Breda</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/rising-point-capital-management">Rising Point Capital Management</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Revenue of $10M+ and EBITDA of $2M+</td><td>Chicago</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/154-partners">154 Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of $2–20M</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/regal-healthcare-capital-partners">Regal Healthcare Capital Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of $2–10M, revenue of $20–100M</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/mangrove-equity-partners">Mangrove Equity Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Pre-tax profit of $3–10M, revenue of $10–100M</td><td>Tampa</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/founders-group-of-food-companies-inc">Founders Group of Food Companies</a></td><td>Family office</td><td>Food processors and distributors with EBITDA of $5–10M</td><td>Vancouver</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/broadwing-capital-management">Broadwing Capital Management</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of $5–25M</td><td>Dallas</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/aphias-capital">Aphias Capital</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of $5–30M</td><td>San Francisco</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/continuim-equity-partners">Continuim Equity Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of $5–40M</td><td>Pittsburgh</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/o2-investment-partners">O2 Investment Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of up to $15M</td><td>Bloomfield Hills</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/nedvest-capital">Nedvest Capital</a></td><td>Family office</td><td>Profit of up to €15M, mainly in the Netherlands</td><td>Amsterdam</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/dominus-capital">Dominus Capital</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of at least $10M</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/monomoy-capital-partners">Monomoy Capital Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>EBITDA of $15M to $250M+</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/ampersand-capital-partners">Ampersand Capital Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Revenue of $10–200M</td><td>Boston</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/achieve-partners">Achieve Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Revenue of $20–200M</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/gennx360-capital-partners">GenNx360 Capital Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Revenue of $50–500M</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/kingswood-capital-management-lp">Kingswood Capital Management</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Revenue of at least $100M</td><td>Los Angeles</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/l-squared-capital-partners">L Squared Capital Partners</a></td><td>Private equity</td><td>Enterprise value of $50M to $800M+</td><td>Newport Beach</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

## Family offices that buy companies

Family offices invest their own money, so they can hold a company for decades. These ten say in their profiles that they buy and own operating businesses.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Family office</th><th>Headquarters</th><th>What it buys</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/rlg-capital">RLG Capital</a></td><td>Park City</td><td>Controlling stakes in privately held companies: business services, education, energy, health, tech</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/founders-group-of-food-companies-inc">Founders Group of Food Companies</a></td><td>Vancouver</td><td>Mature food processors and distributors, built into one group</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/murray-capital">Murray Capital</a></td><td>Edinburgh</td><td>Long-term stakes with the Murray family's own capital</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/franz-haniel-cie">Franz Haniel & Cie</a></td><td>Duisburg</td><td>Independent companies in business services, manufacturing, environmental services, healthcare and education</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bregal-unternehmerkapital">Bregal Unternehmerkapital</a></td><td>Munich</td><td>Mid-sized companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, often at succession</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/florac">Florac</a></td><td>Paris</td><td>Mid-market leaders in Europe and the US: healthcare, consumer goods, industrial supplies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/kirk-kapital-as">Kirk Kapital</a></td><td>Vejle</td><td>Medium-sized B2B companies that lead their markets</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/connecting-capital">Connecting Capital</a></td><td>Stockholm</td><td>Majority stakes in Nordic industrial and trading companies, with no time limit</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/atlantic-capital">Atlantic Capital</a></td><td>Breda</td><td>Benelux SMEs, with its own capital and no fixed fund cycle</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/nedvest-capital">Nedvest Capital</a></td><td>Amsterdam</td><td>Dutch companies with profit of up to €15M</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

## Private equity buyers with new funds, by region

### United States: lower middle market (new funds under $1B)

25 US firms raised funds under $1B in 2026. Many work with founder- and family-owned companies, and some state the size they want: [Broadwing Capital Management](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/broadwing-capital-management) looks for EBITDA of $5–25M, [154 Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/154-partners) for $2–20M.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Firm</th><th>City</th><th>New fund (2026)</th><th>What it buys</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/gennx360-capital-partners">GenNx360 Capital Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/08/28/gennx360-capital-partners-closes-fourth-fund-at-865m/">GenNx360 Capital Partners IV, $865M</a></td><td>Buy-and-build in industrials and business services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/align-capital-partners">Align Capital Partners</a></td><td>Dallas</td><td><a href="https://peprofessional.com/2026/06/align-closes-two-funds-at-hard-cap-raising-more-than-1-1-billion/">Align Capital Partners Fund IV, $770M</a></td><td>Control stakes in business services, tech, manufacturing and distribution</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/o2-investment-partners">O2 Investment Partners</a></td><td>Bloomfield Hills</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/03/04/o2-investment-partners-closes-fund-v-at-670m/">Fund V, $670M</a></td><td>Majority stakes in family and founder-owned companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/uplift-investors">Uplift Investors</a></td><td>Darien</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/07/16/uplift-investors-closes-first-fund-at-670m/">Fund I, $670M</a></td><td>Service companies, picked by business model</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/dominus-capital">Dominus Capital</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://peprofessional.com/2026/04/dominus-surpasses-target-in-640-million-fund-iv-close/">Dominus Capital Partners IV, $640M</a></td><td>Operational growth and add-on acquisitions</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/regal-healthcare-capital-partners">Regal Healthcare Capital Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/07/08/regal-healthcare-capital-partners-closes-fund-iv-at-610m/">Fund IV, $610M</a></td><td>Healthcare services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/monomoy-capital-partners">Monomoy Capital Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/10/22/monomoy-capital-partners-closes-monomoy-family-fund-i-at-589m/">Monomoy Family Fund I, $589M</a></td><td>Middle-market industrial and consumer companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/continuim-equity-partners">Continuim Equity Partners</a></td><td>Pittsburgh</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/08/06/continuim-equity-partners-closes-fund-iii-at-548m/">Continuim Equity Partners Fund III, $548M</a></td><td>Manufacturing and industrial businesses</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/achieve-partners">Achieve Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/04/23/achieve-partners-closes-second-fund-at-450m/">Achieve Partners Workforce II, $450M</a></td><td>Tech services, healthcare services and edtech</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/baird-capital-partners-europe-ltd">Baird Capital</a></td><td>Chicago</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/baird-capital-450-million-global-fund-iii-closed-at-hard-cap/">Global Fund III, $450M</a></td><td>Venture, growth and buyout deals in chosen sectors</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/iron-path-capital">Iron Path Capital</a></td><td>Nashville</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/10/06/iron-path-capital-closes-fund-ii-at-450m/">Iron Path Capital Fund II, $450M</a></td><td>Healthcare and specialty industrial companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/broadwing-capital-management">Broadwing Capital Management</a></td><td>Dallas</td><td><a href="https://peprofessional.com/2026/08/broadwing-capital-takes-flight-with-a-440-million-debut-fund/">Broadwing Capital Fund I, $440M</a></td><td>Manufacturing and services companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/154-partners">154 Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/04/17/154-partners-closes-debut-private-equity-fund-at-400m/">154 Partners Fund I, $400M</a></td><td>Founder- and family-led service businesses</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/estancia-capital-management">Estancia Capital Management</a></td><td>Scottsdale</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/estancia-capital-management-closes-367-million-fund-iii/">Estancia Capital Partners Fund III, $367M</a></td><td>Financial services companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/boyne-capital">Boyne Capital</a></td><td>Miami</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/05/01/boyne-capital-closes-bcm-fund-iii-at-over-400m/">BCM Fund III, over $400M</a></td><td>Minority or control stakes in founder-owned firms</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/topspin-consumer-partners">Topspin Consumer Partners</a></td><td>Roslyn Heights</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/04/16/topspin-consumer-partners-closes-fund-iii-at-328m/">Topspin Consumer Partners III, $328M</a></td><td>Branded consumer products and services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/rising-point-capital-management">Rising Point Capital Management</a></td><td>Chicago</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/09/30/rising-point-capital-management-closes-maiden-fund-at-325m/">Rising Point Capital Management Fund I, $325M</a></td><td>Founder- and family-led businesses</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/5th-century-partners">5th Century Partners</a></td><td>Chicago</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/05/07/5th-century-partners-closes-fund-ii-at-276m/">Fund II, $276M</a></td><td>Healthcare, business services and insurance</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/longwater">LongWater</a></td><td>Fargo</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/06/10/longwater-closes-inaugural-sbic-fund-at-over-262-5m/">Inaugural SBIC fund, over $262.5M</a></td><td>Lower middle market companies only</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/artemis-capital-partners">Artemis Capital Partners</a></td><td>Boston</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/09/16/artemis-capital-partners-closes-fund-iv-at-over-250m/">Artemis Capital Partners IV, $254M</a></td><td>Industrial tech: automation, aerospace, defence</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/savano-capital-partners">Savano Capital Partners</a></td><td>Baltimore</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/savano-capital-partners-closes-oversubscribed-252-million-fund-iv/">Savano Capital Partners IV, $252M</a></td><td>Shares from existing holders of software companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/mangrove-equity-partners">Mangrove Equity Partners</a></td><td>Tampa</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/03/06/mangrove-equity-partners-closes-fund-iv-at-250m/">Mangrove Investors IV, $250M</a></td><td>Management buyouts and recapitalisations</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/seven-hills-capital">Seven Hills Capital</a></td><td>Nashville</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/03/02/seven-hills-capital-closes-sophomore-fund-at-235m/">Seven Hills Capital Fund II, $235M</a></td><td>Healthcare services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/lionlight-capital-lp">LionLight Capital</a></td><td>Chapel Hill</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/07/16/lionlight-capital-closes-inaugural-fund-at-215m/">LionLight Capital Fund I, $215M</a></td><td>Financial and professional services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/savory-fund">Savory Fund</a></td><td>Salt Lake City</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/10/14/savory-fund-closes-savory-fund-iii-at-201-5m/">Savory Fund III, $201.5M</a></td><td>Founder-led restaurant brands</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

### United States: mid-market and large buyers (new funds of $1B or more)

25 US firms raised $1B or more. Their deals are bigger: [Kingswood Capital Management](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/kingswood-capital-management-lp) looks for revenue of at least $100M, [L Squared Capital Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/l-squared-capital-partners) for enterprise value of $50M to $800M+.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Firm</th><th>City</th><th>New fund (2026)</th><th>What it buys</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/advent-international-corporation">Advent International</a></td><td>Boston</td><td><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/advent-global-funds-499347">GPE XI and Mid-Market Fund, $30B</a></td><td>Financial services, consumer, healthcare, industrial, tech</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/francisco-partners">Francisco Partners</a></td><td>San Francisco</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/francisco-partners-raises-21-billion-across-flagship-and-agility-funds/">Flagship and Agility funds, $21B</a></td><td>Technology and tech-enabled services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/clearlake-capital">Clearlake Capital</a></td><td>Santa Monica</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/06/19/clearlake-capital-group-closes-eighth-flagship-fund-at-14-8-billion/">Clearlake Capital Partners VIII, $14.8B</a></td><td>Technology, industrials and consumer</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bain-capital">Bain Capital</a></td><td>Boston</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/bain-capital-10-5-billion-raised-for-asia-fund-vi/">Asia Fund VI, $10.5B</a></td><td>Companies across Asia (Asia Fund VI)</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/thl-partners">THL Partners</a></td><td>Boston</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/05/05/thl-partners-raises-6-35-billion-for-fund-x/">THL Equity Fund X, $6.35B</a></td><td>Financial technology, healthcare, tech and business solutions</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/psg">PSG</a></td><td>Boston</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/psg-equity-closes-third-european-growth-fund-at-over-e4-4-billion-to-back-software-and-ai-companies/">PSG Europe III, over €4.4B</a></td><td>Growth software and tech-enabled services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/wind-point-partners">Wind Point Partners</a></td><td>Chicago</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/wind-point-partners-closes-oversubscribed-3-2-billion-fund-xi-for-middle-market-investments/">Fund XI, $3.2B</a></td><td>Middle-market consumer and industrial businesses</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/kingswood-capital-management-lp">Kingswood Capital Management</a></td><td>Los Angeles</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/kingswood-capital-management-raises-4-billion-across-two-oversubscribed-funds/">Capital Opportunities Fund IV, $3.1B</a></td><td>Aerospace, automotive aftermarket, consumer, distribution</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/warren-equity">Warren Equity</a></td><td>Jacksonville Beach</td><td><a href="https://peprofessional.com/2026/07/warren-equity-partners-wraps-up-a-banner-fundraise/">Warren Equity Partners Fund V, $2.8B</a></td><td>Infrastructure and facilities services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/lightyear-capital">Lightyear Capital</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/04/15/lightyear-capital-closes-fund-vi-at-2-5-billion/">Lightyear Fund VI, $2.5B</a></td><td>Financial services, tech, healthcare and business services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/l-squared-capital-partners">L Squared Capital Partners</a></td><td>Newport Beach</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/04/03/l-squared-capital-partners-closes-fifth-fund-at-2-0-billion/">L Squared Capital Partners V, $2B</a></td><td>Edtech, tech-enabled services, software, industrial tech</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/skyknight-capital">SkyKnight Capital</a></td><td>San Francisco</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/07/08/skyknight-capital-closes-fund-v-at-2-billion/">SkyKnight Capital Fund V, $2B</a></td><td>Healthcare, financial services and tech-enabled services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/levine-leichtman-capital-partners">Levine Leichtman Capital Partners</a></td><td>Los Angeles</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/llcp-closes-lower-middle-market-iv-at-2-billion-hard-cap/">LLCP Lower Middle Market IV, $2B</a></td><td>Lower middle market, North America and Europe</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/capitol-meridian-partners">Capitol Meridian Partners</a></td><td>Washington</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/capitol-meridian-partners-raises-1-9-billion-for-second-fund-at-hard-cap/">Capitol Meridian Fund II, $1.9B</a></td><td>Government services and national security</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/ampersand-capital-partners">Ampersand Capital Partners</a></td><td>Boston</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/ampersand-raises-1-5-billion-for-amp-26-fund/">AMP-26, $1.5B</a></td><td>Growth investments in healthcare</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/consonance-capital-partners">Consonance Capital Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/consonance-capital-partners-closes-oversubscribed-1-35-billion-third-fund/">Consonance Private Equity III, $1.35B</a></td><td>Healthcare</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/ffl-partners">FFL Partners</a></td><td>San Francisco</td><td><a href="https://peprofessional.com/2026/10/ffl-plants-a-bigger-seed/">FFL Capital Partners VI, $1.35B</a></td><td>Healthcare and tech-enabled services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/serent-capital">Serent Capital</a></td><td>San Francisco</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/07/09/serent-capital-closes-fund-vi-at-1-3-billion/">Serent Capital VI, $1.3B</a></td><td>Founder-led software and tech-enabled services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/princeton-ventures">Princeton Equity Group</a></td><td>Princeton</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/princeton-equity-group-raises-1-3-billion-fund-iii-at-hard-cap/">Princeton Equity Partners III, $1.3B</a></td><td>Franchisors and multi-location businesses</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/tpg">TPG</a></td><td>San Francisco</td><td><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/tpg-raises-1-3b-for-debut-asia-mid-cap-fund-surpassing-target-499710">Emerging Companies Asia, $1.3B</a></td><td>Mid-sized companies in Asia</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/investcorp">Investcorp</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/investcorp-raises-1-22-billion-for-north-american-private-equity-fund-ii/">North American Private Equity Fund II, $1.22B</a></td><td>Mid-market buyouts in North America</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/citation-capital">Citation Capital</a></td><td>Dallas</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/citation-capital-closes-inaugural-fund-with-1-2-billion-in-total-commitments/">Citation Fund I, $1.2B</a></td><td>Founder- and family-led mid-cap companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/truarc-partners">TruArc Partners</a></td><td>New York</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/truarc-partners-raises-1-2-billion-for-fund-v/">TruArc Partners Fund V, $1.2B</a></td><td>Middle-market business services and industrials</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/sheridan-capital-partners">Sheridan Capital Partners</a></td><td>Chicago</td><td><a href="https://vcwire.tech/2026/10/08/sheridan-capital-partners-closes-fund-iv-at-1-1-billion/">Sheridan Capital Partners Fund IV, $1.1B</a></td><td>Healthcare services and products</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/aphias-capital">Aphias Capital</a></td><td>San Francisco</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/aphias-capital-closes-oversubscribed-1-05-billion-fund-i/">Aphias Capital Fund I, $1.05B</a></td><td>Healthcare services and essential B2B services</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

### United Kingdom

Three London firms raised in 2026: [Bregal Milestone](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bregal-milestone) for software, [Preservation Capital Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/preservation-capital-partners) for financial and business services, and [Apis Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/apis-partners) for growth capital in financial services and technology.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Firm</th><th>City</th><th>New fund (2026)</th><th>What it buys</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/apis-partners">Apis Partners</a></td><td>London</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/apis-partners-1-23-billion-raised-for-fund-iii/">Global Growth Fund III and Growth Markets Fund III, $1.23B</a></td><td>Growth capital for financial services and tech</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bregal-milestone">Bregal Milestone</a></td><td>London</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/bregal-milestone-closes-fund-iii-at-e915-million-hard-cap/">Bregal Milestone III, €915M</a></td><td>European software companies</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/preservation-capital-partners">Preservation Capital Partners</a></td><td>London</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/preservation-capital-partners-closes-pcp-fund-iii-at-e877-million-hard-cap/">PCP Fund III, €877M</a></td><td>Control stakes in financial and business services</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

### Continental Europe

Seven firms from Norway to Spain. [Main Capital Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/main-capital-partners) raised the most, €5.25B for enterprise software; [Talde](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/talde-gestion-sgeic-sa) in Bilbao backs Spanish SMEs with tickets of €6–20M.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Firm</th><th>City</th><th>New fund (2026)</th><th>What it buys</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/main-capital-partners">Main Capital Partners</a></td><td>The Hague</td><td><a href="https://vestbee.com/insights/articles/main-capital-closes-5-25-b">Main Capital IX and Main Foundation III, €5.25B</a></td><td>Enterprise software buyouts</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/cvc">CVC</a></td><td>Luxembourg</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/cvc-raises-e3-billion-for-europe-focused-mid-market-private-equity-fund/">Catalyst III, €3B</a></td><td>Mid-market companies in Europe</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/norvestor">Norvestor</a></td><td>Oslo</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/norvestor-raises-e2-billion-for-oversubscribed-flagship-private-equity-fund/">Norvestor X, €2B</a></td><td>Nordic companies, often via acquisitions</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/nextalia">Nextalia</a></td><td>Milan</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/nextalia-private-equity-ii-reaches-over-e1-1-billion-first-close-from-more-than-200-investors/">Private Equity II, over €1.1B at first close</a></td><td>Italian SMEs: software, fintech, services</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/longship-as">Longship</a></td><td>Oslo</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/longship-closes-fourth-fund-at-nok-2-4-billion-hard-cap-in-11-weeks/">Longship Fund IV, $228M</a></td><td>Medium-sized growth companies in Norway</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/avallon-mbo">Avallon MBO</a></td><td>Łódź</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/avallon-launches-e171-5-million-fourth-fund-with-increased-focus-on-technology/">Fourth fund, €171.5M</a></td><td>Management buyouts in Poland</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/talde-gestion-sgeic-sa">Talde</a></td><td>Bilbao</td><td><a href="https://pulse2.com/talde-capital-crecimiento-iii-holds-e155-million-first-close-targets-e200-million/">Capital Crecimiento III, €155M at first close</a></td><td>Spanish SMEs, tickets of €6–20M</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

### Asia, Canada and the Middle East

Four buyers based outside the US and Europe raised in 2026. [Bain Capital](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/bain-capital) and [TPG](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/tpg) also raised Asia funds, listed with the US firms above.

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Firm</th><th>City</th><th>New fund (2026)</th><th>What it buys</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/brookfield">Brookfield</a></td><td>Toronto</td><td><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/brookfield-saudi-arabia-pif-490359">Middle East Partners, $2B</a></td><td>Private equity in the Middle East</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/ikhlas-capital">Ikhlas Capital</a></td><td>Singapore</td><td><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/ikhlas-capital-second-fund-495365">Second fund, $370M</a></td><td>ASEAN infrastructure, energy, cleantech and tech</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/lakeshore-capital">Lakeshore Capital</a></td><td>Bangkok</td><td><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/lakeshore-capital-third-fund-2-496105">Third fund, $305M</a></td><td>Mid-market growth and buyouts in Thailand and the Mekong region</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://privateequitylist.com/investors/excelsior-capital-vietnam">Excelsior Capital Vietnam</a></td><td>Vietnam</td><td><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/excelsior-capital-vietnam-fund-495923">Second fund, over $170M</a></td><td>Healthcare, consumer, tech and education in Vietnam</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

## How a sale to private equity works: seven steps

<div class="intel__tablewrap">
<table class="intel__table">
<thead><tr><th>Step</th><th>What you do</th><th>What the buyer does</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>1. Prepare</td><td>Clean up your accounts and get a quality-of-earnings review</td><td>Nothing yet</td></tr>
<tr><td>2. Build the buyer list</td><td>Pick funds with new money, family offices and strategic buyers that fit your size and sector</td><td>Nothing yet</td></tr>
<tr><td>3. Teaser and NDA</td><td>Send a one-page teaser without your name</td><td>Signs a non-disclosure agreement to see more</td></tr>
<tr><td>4. CIM and first bids</td><td>Share the confidential information memorandum (CIM)</td><td>Sends an indication of interest with a price range</td></tr>
<tr><td>5. Letter of intent</td><td>Choose one buyer and agree price, structure and rollover</td><td>Signs a letter of intent, usually with exclusivity</td></tr>
<tr><td>6. Due diligence</td><td>Answer questions on finances, contracts and customers</td><td>Checks the business and lines up debt from lenders</td></tr>
<tr><td>7. Signing and closing</td><td>Sign the purchase agreement</td><td>Pays at closing; rolled equity moves into the new company</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

## Selling a startup: strategic acquirers and growth buyers

**Strategic acquirers:** larger companies in your market buy startups for products, teams or customers. Corporate venture arms show which of them watch your space: see the [corporate VC list](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/corporate-vc).\
**Growth buyers for software:** profitable software companies sell to private equity too. [Serent Capital](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/serent-capital) backs founder-led software and tech-enabled services, and [L Squared Capital Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/l-squared-capital-partners) targets companies worth $50M to $800M+ that grow more than 15% a year.\
**European software:** [PSG](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/psg) [closed its third European growth fund at over €4.4B](https://pulse2.com/psg-equity-closes-third-european-growth-fund-at-over-e4-4-billion-to-back-software-and-ai-companies/) for software and AI companies.\
**Partial sales:** [Savano Capital Partners](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/savano-capital-partners) buys shares from existing holders of software and technology companies, so founders and early investors can sell part of their stake.

## How to find a private equity buyer for your business

**Start with fresh money:** firms that raised in 2026 have to invest those funds. The [new funds tracker](https://privateequitylist.com/new-vc-funds) adds each fund as it is announced.\
**Filter by sector and size:** the [private equity firms list](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/private-equity) and [search](https://privateequitylist.com/search) filter by sector, country and cheque size.\
**Add family offices and sponsors:** the [family office list](https://privateequitylist.com/investors/family-office) holds investors with their own money; [independent sponsors](https://privateequitylist.com/intelligence/independent-sponsors) bring their own backers.\
**Check the debt side:** most buyouts borrow part of the price, so the buyer's lenders matter. See [private credit funds and firms](https://privateequitylist.com/intelligence/private-credit-funds-and-firms).\
**Reach the partners:** profiles list partners and deal teams with their roles. CSV export comes with the Pro+ plan.

## Data and methodology

**Buyers:** 64 private equity firms whose new buyout or growth fund was announced between 1 January and 30 October 2026, from the Private Equity List fund tracker. Each fund was checked against its announcement and the firm's profile; secondaries, fund-of-funds, co-investment, credit, real estate and infrastructure funds are left out.\
**Fund sizes:** as announced, with euro funds shown in euros; totals use the US dollar amounts recorded in the tracker.\
**What each buyer looks for:** company sizes, sectors and cities come from Private Equity List profiles, as of 31 October 2026.\
**Market figures:** GF Data via ACG, BizBuySell, Porte Brown and Lathrop GPM, linked where they are used.

## FAQ

### How can I find a buyer for my business?

Start with buyers that have fresh money: private equity firms that have just raised a fund, family offices that invest their own capital, and companies in your industry. Private Equity List tracks 64 private equity firms that announced new buyout or growth funds in 2026. Filter them by sector, country and the company size they want, then reach the partners through their profiles.

### Why would someone sell to private equity?

A sale to private equity pays the owner now and can leave a stake for later. In middle-market deals, sellers often roll over 10% to 30% of the equity and are paid again when the fund sells. The fund also brings money for growth and add-on acquisitions. The trade-off is that it plans to sell the company again.

### What are the four types of buyers for a business?

Strategic buyers, which are companies in your industry; private equity funds, which buy with investors' money and sell later; family offices, which invest a family's own capital; and independent sponsors, who raise money for one deal at a time. Individuals also buy many small, main-street businesses.

### What is the difference between a strategic buyer and a financial buyer?

A strategic buyer is a company that adds your business to its own, for products, customers or cost savings, and usually buys all of it. A financial buyer, such as a private equity fund, buys to grow the company and sell it later. It usually keeps the management team and often asks the seller to roll over part of the equity.

### How much do private equity firms pay for a business?

It depends on profit, growth and size. Private equity deals of $1 million to $500 million averaged 7.2 times EBITDA in 2025, according to GF Data. Main-street businesses sell for much less: the median sale on BizBuySell in the third quarter of 2026 was $350,000.