Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland List
Welcome to our Irish private equity firms guide to the Top Private Equity Firms Ireland guide who are active in Ireland right now
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Top Private Equity Firms Ireland: A Comprehensive List
Top Irish private equity firms include Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, Renatus Capital Partners, and Fountain Healthcare Partners.
These firms have been active in a range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, and energy.
They have also been involved in some notable transactions and exits, including the acquisition of Irish technology firm Clavis Insights by Ascential plc, and the sale of pharmaceutical company Jazz Pharmaceuticals' Irish manufacturing facility to SK Biopharmaceuticals.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Key Takeaways
Private equity firms are investment firms that pool funds to invest in private companies.
Ireland has a thriving private equity market, with top firms operating in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and energy.
Top Irish private equity firms include Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, Renatus Capital Partners, and Fountain Healthcare Partners.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland
Top Irish Private Equity Firms
Ireland is home to several private equity firms that have made their mark in the industry. These firms have established themselves as leaders in the market and have been instrumental in driving growth and development in the country. Here are some of the top Irish private equity firms:
A&L Goodbody LLP
A&L Goodbody LLP is a leading law firm in Ireland that has a top-tier private equity group. The firm has extensive experience in acting for both PE acquirers and vendors.
Melior Equity Partners
Melior Equity Partners is a leading Irish private equity investment firm headquartered in Dublin. The firm has a strong track record of investing in small to medium-sized private businesses in Ireland.
Renatus Capital Partners
Renatus Capital Partners is a Dublin-based private equity firm that helps companies realize their potential.
Carlyle Cardinal Ireland Fund
The Carlyle Cardinal Ireland Fund is a joint venture between global investment firm The Carlyle Group and Irish investment firm Cardinal Capital Group.
Other Top Private Equity Firms in Ireland
In addition to the above firms, there are several other top private equity firms in Ireland. These include:
MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland
Causeway Capital Partners
Broadlake Capital
BlueBay Ireland Corporate Credit
Ion Equity
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Ranking private equity firms can be challenging as there are several factors to consider, including the size of the firm, the number of deals it has completed, and the performance of its portfolio companies.
However, according to Crunchbase, some of the top private equity firms in Ireland based on algorithmic rank include Causeway Capital Partners, MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland, and Renatus Capital Partners.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Notable Transactions and Exits
Private equity firms in Ireland have been involved in several notable transactions and exits in recent years.
These transactions have involved a range of sectors, including technology, healthcare, and financial services.
Some of the most significant transactions in recent years include:
Stripe's acquisition of Touchtech Payments: In 2022, Stripe, a global payments company founded by Irish brothers John and Patrick Collison, acquired Touchtech Payments, an Irish payments company that specializes in biometric authentication.
Glanbia's sale of Dairy Ireland: In 2021, Glanbia, a global nutrition company with headquarters in Ireland, sold its Dairy Ireland segment to Glanbia Co-op, a farmer-owned co-operative.
Warburg Pincus' investment in Inflazome: In 2020, Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm, invested in Inflazome, an Irish biotech company that focuses on developing drugs to treat inflammatory diseases.
Carlyle Group's acquisition of Logoplaste: In 2019, the Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm, acquired Logoplaste, a Portuguese packaging company with operations in Ireland.
Hg's acquisition of BrightPay: In 2018, Hg, a global private equity firm, acquired BrightPay, an Irish payroll software company.
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Private equity firms in Ireland have also been involved in several successful exits in recent years, including IPOs and sales to strategic acquirers.
For example, in 2022, Dublin-based fintech company Fenergo completed an IPO on the London Stock Exchange, raising over €500 million.
In 2021, Irish pharmaceutical company EirGenix was acquired by Chinese biopharmaceutical company Qilu Pharmaceutical for €135 million.
The acquisition was a significant exit for EirGenix's investors, including private equity firm Fountain Healthcare Partners.
Overall, private equity firms in Ireland have a strong track record of identifying and investing in promising companies, and successfully exiting these investments through IPOs or sales to strategic acquirers.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Investment Data and Trends
Private equity investment in Ireland has been on the rise in recent years.
According to Statista, Seedcamp, BGF, and Entrepreneur First were the leading private equity companies in the UK and Ireland in terms of the number of investments in 2021.
Additionally, the total number of private equity investments in the UK and Ireland has been steadily increasing since 2016, reaching a peak of 1,469 in 2019.
In terms of funding rounds, Crunchbase reports that there are 199 private equity firms with investments in Ireland, with an average of 44 for-profit companies per firm.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Overall, private equity investment in Ireland is on the rise, with a growing number of firms investing in a range of sectors.
Despite some fluctuations in the trend score, the long-term outlook for private equity investment in the UK and Ireland remains positive.
People in Irish Private Equity
Private equity firms in Ireland are made up of a diverse group of individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences.
These individuals play a crucial role in the success of private equity firms by bringing their expertise to the table and making strategic investment decisions.
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Here are some notable individuals in Irish private equity and their primary organizations and job titles:
Full Name Primary Organization Primary Job Title CB Rank (Person) Jonathan Cosgrave Melior Equity Partners Co-Founder 5,012 Peter Garvey Melior Equity Partners Co-Founder 5,013 Tomás Flanagan Carlyle Group Managing Director 10,231 Niall Olden Cardinal Capital Group Managing Partner 2,346
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Comparison with UK Market
The private equity market in Ireland is often compared to that of the UK, given the geographical proximity and the similarities in terms of economic and political structures. Here are a few key differences and similarities between the two markets:
Fundraising and Deal Activity
According to a PitchBook report, the private equity and venture capital markets in the UK and Ireland raised a total of £27.6 billion in 2021, up from £19.8 billion in 2020. Of this, the UK accounted for £22.2 billion, while Ireland accounted for £5.4 billion.
The report also notes that deal activity in the two markets has been robust, with a total of 1,879 VC deals completed in H1 2022, amounting to £15.4 billion in investment.
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Regulation
The private equity industry in Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI).
The CBI is responsible for ensuring that private equity firms comply with the relevant regulations, including the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID).
Private equity firms must also comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) regulations.
The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 (as amended) sets out the AML and CTF requirements for private equity firms in Ireland.
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Private equity firms must also be aware of the various tax incentives and reliefs available in Ireland. For example, the Knowledge Development Box (KDB) provides a reduced tax rate of 6.25% for income generated from qualifying intellectual property (IP).
In summary, private equity firms in Ireland must be aware of the various regulations and tax considerations to ensure compliance and avoid any potential legal or financial issues.
The CBI regulates the private equity industry in Ireland, and private equity firms must comply with AML and CTF regulations.
Private equity firms must also be aware of the various tax requirements and regulations, including corporation tax, VAT, and tax incentives and reliefs.
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Private equity firms are attracted to the financial services sector due to its strong growth potential, particularly in areas such as fintech and payments.
Assets Under Management
Private equity firms in Ireland manage significant assets, and their assets under management (AUM) are a key indicator of their success.
As of 2019, Irish Life Investment Managers was the leading Irish headquartered asset manager with a total of 67.14 billion euros of AUM Statista. The firm has a diversified investment portfolio, including equities, fixed income, and real estate.
Another major player in the Irish private equity market is KBI Global Investors, which had AUM of 16.3 billion euros in 2019 Statista.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
The firm offers a range of investment solutions to institutional investors, including active and passive strategies across multiple asset classes.
Other notable private equity firms in Ireland include Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, which manages a fund of over 500 million euros, and MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland, which has over 200 million euros of AUM Crunchbase.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
With a focus on sustainable and socially responsible investing, these firms are well-positioned to continue to grow and succeed in the years to come.
Funds of Funds in Ireland
Funds of funds (FoFs) are investment funds that invest in other funds instead of directly investing in individual securities.
In Ireland, FoFs are becoming increasingly popular among investors looking for a diversified portfolio with exposure to multiple asset classes.
FoFs in Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and must comply with the European Union's Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD).
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The AIFMD requires FoFs to have a minimum of two investment funds in their portfolio, and they must be managed by authorized Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs).
One of the benefits of FoFs is that they offer investors a way to access a range of investment opportunities without having to conduct extensive due diligence on individual funds.
FoFs also provide diversification benefits as they invest in a range of funds across different asset classes, geographies, and investment strategies.
There are several FoFs in Ireland that investors can consider.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Some of the top FoFs in Ireland include:
Aberdeen Standard Investments Fund of Funds: This FoF invests in a range of funds across different asset classes, including equities, bonds, and alternatives. It has a minimum investment of €1,000 and an annual management fee of 0.75%.
Irish Life Investment Managers Fund of Funds: This FoF invests in a range of Irish Life funds across different asset classes, including equities, bonds, and property. It has a minimum investment of €5,000 and an annual management fee of 0.75%.
KBI Global Investors Fund of Funds: This FoF invests in a range of KBI Global Investors funds across different asset classes, including equities, bonds, and alternatives. It has a minimum investment of €5,000 and an annual management fee of 0.75%.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
FoFs in Ireland offer investors a way to access a range of investment opportunities without having to conduct extensive due diligence on individual funds.
They also provide diversification benefits as they invest in a range of funds across different asset classes, geographies, and investment strategies.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Organisations and Hubs
Ireland is home to several private equity firms, and many of them are headquartered in Dublin.
These firms invest in a wide range of sectors, including technology, healthcare, and real estate.
According to Crunchbase, there are 199 private equity firms with investments in Ireland, with a total of 253 founders. These firms have an average founded date of September 19, 1998, and have acquired a percentage of 4% of the total number of organizations.
Dublin is also home to a number of private equity firms with investments in the city. According to Crunchbase, there are 159 private equity firms with investments in Dublin, with a total of 214 founders.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
In addition to private equity firms, there are also several hubs and organizations in Ireland that support the growth of the private equity industry.
For example, the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) is a trade association that represents the venture capital and private equity industry in Ireland. The IVCA provides a platform for networking, education, and advocacy for its members.
Another organization that supports the private equity industry in Ireland is the Irish Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA).
The IVCA is a non-profit organization that represents the private equity and venture capital industry in Ireland. The IVCA provides a platform for networking, education, and advocacy for its members.
These entities provide a range of services, including funding, networking, and advocacy, to help support the growth of the private equity industry in Ireland.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland Guide
Other notable investment firms with a presence in Ireland include:
BGF: A growth capital provider that invests in small and medium-sized businesses across a range of sectors.
Draper Esprit: A venture capital firm that invests in high-growth technology companies across Europe.
Elkstone Partners: A multi-family office that provides a range of investment and advisory services to high net worth individuals and families.
Frontline Ventures: A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies in Europe.
Kernel Capital: A venture capital firm that invests in high-potential technology companies in Ireland.
Suir Valley Ventures: A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies in the areas of fintech, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the top private equity firms operating in Ireland?
Ireland is home to several top private equity firms, including Carlyle Cardinal Ireland, MML Growth Capital Partners, and Causeway Capital Partners.
Which private equity firms have a significant presence in Ireland?
Several private equity firms have a significant presence in Ireland, including Warburg Pincus, Blackstone, and KKR. These firms have invested in a range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, and financial services.
Top Private Equity Firms Ireland
