2025 Central and Eastern Europe Private Equity Statistics (Invest Europe)

Summary

• Total incremental fundraising in CEE reached €1.87 billion in 2025, representing a 3% decrease from 2024 but remaining 21% above the previous five-year average.p.9
• Private equity investment across CEE slowed modestly to €2.57 billion in 2025, reaching 341 companies.p.8
• CEE private equity exit value reached €1.71 billion at historical investment cost in 2025, representing a 26% year-on-year increase across 95 divested companies.p.8
• Buyout funds raised €1 billion in 2025, representing 54% of total capital raised for the region.p.9
• Venture capital investment in CEE reached €675 million across 200 companies in 2025, almost doubling the previous year's total.p.29

Key insights

1. Trade sale was the leading exit route by value in CEE in 2025, generating €1.04 billion at cost across 30 companies.p.8
2. Mid-market buyout investment value grew by 52% in 2025 to €780 million across a record 24 companies.p.6
3. Poland remained the top destination for investment in CEE, capturing 39% of total investment value and 29% of funded companies.p.8
4. CEE-based investors served as the primary geographic source of fundraising in 2025, providing 56% of total capital raised.p.8
5. The ICT sector led investment activity in 2025, attracting 34% of overall private equity investment value.p.15
6. Romania recorded a country-record exit value of €662 million at cost in 2025, representing 39% of total CEE divestments.p.8
7. Later stage venture capital investment reached a record €438 million in 2025, accounting for 65% of the region's venture investment value.p.29