How many Private Equity firms are there globally?

Question

How many Private Equity firms are there globally?

Answer 1

As many as wealthy people that want to lose their fortune.

Answer 2

A record $365bn of private equity was invested globally in 2006

In terms of the regional split of fundraising, the majority of funds raised in 2006 were focusing on the American market, with 62% of capital raised in 2006 focusing on the US. European focused funds account for 26% of the global total, whilst funds focusing on Asia and the Rest of World account for the remaining 11%.

There are an estimated 8,000 private equity firms in the US.  I got this information from a mezzanine specialist.  Globally, it would be difficult to count because of different standards.  If you are putting mezzanine loans together in some countries it can be through private agreements and out of the public eye.

Most investments are done by accredited investors...

Answer 3

We really would have no idea, because they are privately held.

The number of registered hedge funds which can include private equity went from about 5,000 in 2001 to over 12,000 in 2007.