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2019 Key Findings
Reports on levels of private equity and venture capital investment into European companies, including splits by stage focus, syndication and sectors. Investments are shown by the location of the investment firm (Industry Statistics) and the location of the portfolio company (Market Statistics).
Total equity amount invested
The total equity amount invested in European companies increased 10% year-on-year to €94bn in 2019, the highest level ever recorded. 7,902 companies were invested into, 8% above the average for the previous five years, 84% of which were SMEs.
Buyout investment
Buyout investments increased 8% year-on-year to €65bn. Mid-market buyout (€15 - €150m) continued to receive the most investment within the broader buyout investment stage (36%). By sector, consumer goods & services received most buyout investment (25%).
Venture capital investment
Venture capital investment reached €11bn in 2019, 19% growth from 2018. Venture capital funds backed about 60% of the total number of companies invested into. Start-up investments reached €6bn, a 13% increase from 2018, taking 56% of total venture capital investment. By sector, ICT is key (half of Venture capital investment).
Growth capital investments
Growth investments grew 15% year-on-year to €16bn in 2019. The number of companies invested into dropped 18% to 1,857, leading to the highest level of investment per company ever recorded. ICT received the highest level of investment (36%).
Investments - Market statistics 2019
2019 investments at a glance
| 2019 - Market statistics | All private equity | Venture capital(1) | Buyout(1) | Growth(1) |
| Amount | €94bn | €11bn | €65bn | €16bn |
| No. of companies | 7,902 | 4,696 | 1,323 | 21,857 |
| No. of firms | 1,426 | 913 | 467 | 480 |
| No. of funds | 2,806 | 1,647 | 809 | 1,010 |
Source: Invest Europe/EDC
Note: (1) relates to the investment stage of the portfolio company
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Meet the team
Research
Julien Krantz
Research
Research Director
Daniel Irwin-Brown
Research
Research Manager
Ariane Mortelmans
Research
Senior Research Officer