Divestment value rises 26% year-on-year, sales to trade buyers represent 61% of total
Fundraising hits €1.87bn, +21% over prior 5-year average, driven by buyout and venture funds
Brussels, Belgium, 23 June 2026 1100 AM CEST - Invest Europe, the association representing Europe’s private equity, venture capital and infrastructure sectors, as well as their investors, today published its 2025 Central & Eastern Europe Private Equity Statistics, produced in partnership with law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel. The comprehensive report into buyout, growth capital and venture capital activity in the CEE region shows resurgent divestment activity in 2025 with trade buyers attracted to high-quality buyouts built with private capital, while commitments to new buyout and growth-focused funds also rose strongly.
Divestment value increased by 26% to €1.71 billion at historical investment cost, accounting for 3.8% of total European exit value – up one full percentage point on its 2024 share. Trade sales accounted for €1.04 billion of exit value, driven three sizeable divestments. A total of 30 companies were exited to trade buyers, underlining the appeal of companies across the region to international corporations seeking growth opportunities. Romania was the region’s largest market for exits, with a country record of €662 million in divestments at cost.
Fundraising for CEE buyouts increased to €1 billion, the highest level since 2018, while venture capital funds raised €548 million (29% of the total), as investors focused on funds and managers creating regional leaders and world-class businesses with CEE roots. Overall fundraising was down modestly on the 2024 total but 21% above prior 5-year average.
CEE investment activity also showed encouraging signals. Mid-market buyouts increased by 52% to €780 million in 2025, with a record 24 companies receiving backing, highlighting the segment’s strength and resilience. VC investment almost doubled to €675 million, driven by an expansion in later stage venture, while growth capital investment was up 33% to €619 million. An absence of mega buyout transactions meant that overall investment value was modestly below the regional prior five-year average.
Eric de Montgolfier, CEO of Invest Europe, commented:
“Central and Eastern Europe presents investment opportunities that cannot be found anywhere else. As global uncertainty puts a spotlight on European predictability and stability, CEE is a region benefiting from its place within Europe as well as its own characteristics and potential.”
Bill Watson, Chair of Invest Europe’s CEE Task Force, added:
“Strong exit value not only means essential distributions to LPs, but also shows that managers are building world-class businesses that present attractive opportunities to international trade buyers. There is quality and strength in the CEE private capital ecosystem and successful companies are showing investors why the region’s managers deserve to be on their radars.”
In addition to its authoritative private equity and venture capital data, Invest Europe’s 2025 CEE Statistics highlights economic data showing the region’s ongoing growth and convergence with the EU. It also drills into success stories that illustrate the power of private equity and venture capital investment. These include La Cocoș, the Romanian discount retailer exited in 2025 that grew its store footprint and sales while strengthening governance and ESG practices; InMedica, which under private equity became the largest private healthcare operator in Lithuania; and Diagnostyka, Poland’s market-leading laboratory diagnostics business which built a nationwide network of essential services for 25 million Polish citizens.
Click to download Invest Europe’s 2025 Central & Eastern Europe Private Equity Statistics.
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Invest Europe is the association representing Europe’s private equity, venture capital and infrastructure sectors, as well as their investors. We have 626 members, split roughly equally between private equity, venture capital and limited partners – with 104 associate members representing advisers to our ecosystem. Those members are based in 57 countries, including 42 in Europe, and manage 60% of the European private equity and venture capital industry’s €1.247 trillion of assets under management. Businesses with private capital investment employ 11.4 million people across Europe, 5% of the region’s workforce.
Disclaimer: The content is for informational and research purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment guidance, or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial products or services. Invest Europe is a non-profit organisation dedicated to research, policy insights and reputation management. Any references to investment, finance, or related topics are based on specific and verifiable data and presented strictly within a research and educational context.
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