Investing in Europe: Private Equity Activity 2025 (Invest Europe)
Summary
- Total fundraising in Europe reached its second-highest year ever at €147bn during 2025, representing a 16% increase from the previous year.p.8
- The total equity amount invested in European companies in 2025 was €135bn, a 3% increase from the previous year.p.8
- Venture capital investment reached €20bn in 2025, backing a total of 4,827 companies.p.8
- Buyout fundraising reached €103bn in 2025, marking a 33% increase compared to 2024.p.11
- Total divestments at cost in 2025 reached €45bn, representing a 5% decrease from 2024 across 3,324 exited companies.p.8
- The mid-market segment represented 34% of the total buyout investment amount in 2025.p.40
Key insights
- Invest Europe members manage 60% of the European private equity and venture capital industry's €1,247 billion of capital under management.p.3
- Pension funds accounted for the largest share of total funds raised in 2025 at 18%, followed by funds of funds at 17%.p.8
- North America consolidated its position as the largest single geographic source of funding for European buyout funds, increasing its share to nearly 30%.p.11
- Companies in the ICT sector received over €45bn of investments, accounting for over a third of total European PE investment by amount.p.8
- Venture capital divestments reached €3.2bn in 2025, representing a 4% increase from the year before.p.8
- The primary exit route by value across all private equity in 2025 was sale to another private equity firm, accounting for 44% of total divestments at cost.p.8
- Investments by European private equity and venture capital funds reached 0.56% of European GDP in 2025.p.40
Topics and entities
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