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2020 Key Findings
The amount of funds raised by European private equity and venture capital managers, including breakdowns on stage focus, sources of funds by type of institutional investor and geographic source.
Total Fundraising
Total fundraising in Europe during 2020 reached €101bn, a 12% decrease from 2019 (a record year), but in line with 2018 and 2017 amounts. A record number of 672 funds raised capital during the year, the highest number of funds recorded in the past few years 15% above the average number of funds over the previous five years.
Investors
Pension funds provided 29% of funds raised, followed by fund of funds & other asset managers (20%), and family offices & private individuals (13%). North America accounted for the highest proportion of fundraising (26%), followed by France & Benelux (24%). In total 42% of the 2020 fundraising amount was committed by investors from outside Europe.
Venture
Venture fundraising exceeded for the second time - €15bn raised in a year, with €15.5bn raised in 2020 (a 7% decrease from 2019, the highest total ever recorded at €16.7bn). A record number of 288 Venture funds raised capital in 2020. The top three sources of funds were government agencies (30%), family offices & private individuals (18%), and fund of funds & other asset managers (16%). The France & Benelux region continued to be the principal source of capital, with a record €5bn committed from the region.
Buyout
Buyout fundraising reached €52bn in 2020, down 23% from 2019 the highest year ever recorded with €81bn. Pension funds provided the most capital (37%) and capital from outside of Europe remained an important source of funds (54%).
Growth capital
Growth fundraising reached the highest level recorded, with €11bn, a 41% increase compared to 2019. A record number of 159 Growth funds raised capital in 2020. Pension funds provided the most capital for the year (22%).
Incremental amounts raised during 2020
2020 fundraising at a glance
| 2020 | All private equity | Venture Capital(1) | Buyout(1) | Growth(1) |
| Incremental - Amounts raised | €101bn | €16bn | €62bn | €15bn |
| Incremental - No. of funds | 672 | 288 | 125 | 159 |
| Final closings - Cumulative amount since inception | €79bn | €11bn | €52bn | €11bn |
| Final closings - No. of funds | 229 | 90 | 65 | 44 |
Source: Invest Europe/EDC
Note: (1) relates to fund focus
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Meet the team
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Julien Krantz
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Research Director
Sofian Giuroiu
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Research Officer
Daniel Irwin-Brown
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Research Manager