Private equity firms play a significant role in financing and accelerating business growth, with France being a hub for some of the top players in this industry. These firms offer a range of services including investment in growth brands, startups, real estate, infrastructure, and more. With their strategic investment solutions, they support companies of varying sizes, from small start-ups to established mid-sized enterprises. Looking ahead, this industry is expected to further thrive and evolve, providing more dynamic and diverse investment opportunities across various sectors such as healthcare, technology, and energy transition.


Top 22 private equity firms in France

1. Eurazeo

  • Website: eurazeo.com
  • Headquarters: Paris, Ile-De-France, France
  • Founded: 1969
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Post Ipo Equity
  • LinkedIn

Eurazeo is a leading European Private Equity player with a global reach, offering investment opportunities in various asset classes and expertise. They specialize in private equity buyouts, growth brands, healthcare, venture capital, private debt, direct lending, asset-based finance, real assets, real estate, and infrastructure investments.


2. Quilvest Private Equity

Quilvest Private Equity is a global investment firm offering capital and expertise to private companies. With a focus on emerging markets and real estate, Quilvest provides strategic investment solutions to help companies grow and succeed.


3. Siparex

  • Website: siparex.com
  • Headquarters: Paris, Ile-De-France, France
  • Founded: 1977
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Siparex is an independent French private equity group that finances and supports the development of companies from startups to mid-sized enterprises. With over €3 billion in assets under management, Siparex offers a multi-specialist platform that provides funding and guidance for entrepreneurial ventures. Their expertise spans various sectors, including energy transition, healthcare, and technology.


4. InfraVia Capital Partners

Infravia Capital Partners is a leading European private equity firm specializing in infrastructure and technology investments. With €10bn of capital raised, we support entrepreneurs and companies in their growth journey, helping them expand their businesses and transform them into top-tier platforms. We believe in the convergence of infrastructure and technology and have developed two complementary investment strategies to drive growth and create market-leading businesses.


5. Wendel

  • Website: wendelgroup.com
  • Headquarters: Paris, Ile-De-France, France
  • Founded: 1704
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Ipo
  • LinkedIn

Wendel Group is a long-term investment company that focuses on private equity investments in various sectors. They have a portfolio of leading companies known for their innovation and expertise. Wendel's investment strategy is centered around supporting and developing sustainable businesses. They prioritize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors and aim to create long-term value for their shareholders.


6. Access Capital Partners

Access Capital Partners is an investment firm that specializes in private assets across Europe. They offer a range of products and services including smaller buy-outs, infrastructure investments, and private debt solutions. With a team of talented professionals, they strive to provide added value to their clients and deliver sustainable investment opportunities.


7. SWEN Capital Partners

  • Website: swen-cp.fr
  • Headquarters: Paris, Ile-De-France, France
  • Founded: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

SWEN Capital Partners is an asset management company that offers sustainable investment solutions in private equity. They strive to deliver both financial and non-financial performances from unlisted securities, with a focus on transparency and bespoke service. With over 6.7 billion euros in assets under management and/or advisory in Europe, they support entrepreneurs and partners in creating sustainable value and driving useful finance.


8. Quilvest Capital Partners

Quilvest Capital Partners is a global investment firm specializing in direct private equity and private debt investments. They offer a range of investment strategies to institutional investors, focusing on value creation and long-term partnerships. The firm has a strong global presence, with a dedicated team of experienced professionals. Quilvest Capital Partners also provides access to their investor portals, offering comprehensive information and updates to their clients.


9. BlackFin Capital Partners

  • Website: blackfin.com
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

BlackFin Capital Partners is a private equity firm specializing in the financial sector across continental Europe. With offices in Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, and London, they have built a diversified portfolio of successful companies. They invest in and support financial services companies from venture to buyout.


10. Sigma Gestion

Sigma Gestion is a capital investment company launched in 2004, dedicated to private investors. It specializes in providing investment solutions in the private equity sector, including venture capital, development capital, and buyout capital. The company offers tailored investment opportunities for institutional investors, family offices, and individuals.


11. Initiative & Finance

Initiative & Finance is a private equity firm in France that specializes in financing and buyouts of SMEs across all sectors. With almost 40 years of experience, they have been a major player in the industry. They offer financing solutions and support to small and medium-sized enterprises.


12. InnovaFonds

InnovaFonds is an independent private equity firm that targets leading French small and medium-sized companies with capital growth and/or buy-out challenges. They provide financial and managerial expertise through a network of international advisors, acting as a key accelerator of business development.


13. Ixo Private Equity

  • Website: ixope.fr
  • Headquarters: Toulouse, Midi-Pyrenees, France
  • Founded: 2003
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

iXO Private Equity is an independent investment firm based in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Lyon. They invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the southern region of France. With a team committed to long-term partnerships and a multidisciplinary expert committee, they provide equity funding for companies in various sectors.


14. Adviso Partners

Adviso Partners is an independent financial advisory firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fundraising, and financial engineering. With a focus on small and mid-cap transactions, the company offers expertise in business transfers, acquisitions, capital restructurings, and special situations. As a mission-driven company, Adviso Partners is committed to supporting the growth and transition of businesses while integrating environmental and societal challenges.


15. Unexo

  • Website: unexo.fr
  • Headquarters: Rennes Cedex, Bretagne, France
  • Founded: 1993
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

UNEXO is a Crédit Agricole investment fund that supports directors and entrepreneurs in the Grand Ouest region of France with their commercial acceleration, development, and transmission projects.


16. Weinberg Capital Partners

Weinberg Capital Partners is an investment firm that specializes in impact investing, leveraged buyouts, real estate, and ESG engagements. They provide capital and expertise to listed French SMEs, with a focus on long-term partnerships and sustainable growth. Their portfolio includes companies across various industries and they prioritize investments that have a positive societal and environmental impact.


17. Essling Capital

Essling Capital is an independent asset management company specialized in unlisted assets. The firm manages and advises over €550 million in Europe and internationally, offering innovative solutions through Lead Investment and Co-investment strategies.


18. Bucephale Finance

Bucéphale Finance is an independent investment bank specializing in financial advisory services for large corporations, SMEs, family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, investment funds, and cooperative groups.


19. Pechel

Pechel Industries Partenaires is an independent asset management company dedicated to supporting French SMEs through equity funding. As a reference shareholder, we invest alongside entrepreneurs to reorganize or strengthen the capital of their companies. Our approach integrates an environmental and social strategy for long-term responsible growth.


20. Sparring Capital

Sparring Capital is an independent asset management firm dedicated to providing equity support for French SMEs. They invest alongside entrepreneurs to reorganize or strengthen the capital of their companies. With a focus on the human factor as the essential determinant of business success, Sparring Capital aims to create long-term value through responsible investment.


21. Trocadero Capital Partners

Trocadero Capital Partners is an investment firm focused on supporting the growth and transmission of European SMEs. With a seasoned team and expertise in financing projects and companies, we accompany talented management teams in their ambitious growth plans.


22. Blanche Capital

Blanche Capital is a financial engineering advisory firm with a comprehensive network of partners. We offer tailored solutions to help entrepreneurs achieve their business goals, including M&A consultations, capital raising and transfer of ownership.


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