Investing in Europe: Private Equity Activity 2024 (Invest Europe)
Summary
- Total fundraising in Europe reached €120bn during 2024, representing a 12% decrease from the previous year.p.8
- The total equity amount invested in European companies in 2024 reached €126bn, a 24% increase from the previous year.p.8
- Divestments at cost in 2024 reached €46bn, representing a 45% surge from the previous year.p.8
- Buyout investments reached €87bn in 2024, representing roughly 69% of total investment.p.39
- Venture capital investment reached €18bn in 2024 across 4,639 companies.p.8
- A total of 319 funds reached their final closing during 2024, raising €156bn since inception.p.8
Key insights
- Total equity invested in European companies rebounded to €126bn in 2024 across 8,353 backed companies.p.8
- Buyout fundraising reached €75bn in 2024, accounting for 62% of the total capital raised during the year.p.11
- Pension funds remained the single largest type of investor, providing 19% of total funds raised in 2024.p.8
- The ICT sector received over €40bn of investments, combining with business products & services to account for over 54% of total investments.p.8
- Sale to another private equity firm was the main exit route by value, accounting for 43% of total divestments at cost.p.8
- Venture capital fundraising saw a steep 43% increase from the previous year to reach €22bn in 2024.p.8
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounted for 83% of all European companies receiving private equity backing in 2024.p.8
Topics and entities
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