Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are revolutionizing industries by reshaping business practices and fueling innovation across various sectors.
As noted in our previous blog post, private equity platform investments in AI and ML saw significant growth over the past decade, reaching their highest levels in 2021.The graphs below shows the yearly number of private equity platform and add-on investments in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning companies.
Quick stats
- 342 Private equity firms have made investments in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning portfolio companies (includes current and prior investments)
- 650 Total private equity platform investments in AI/ML companies (2010 – 2024, 73 exits)
- 200 Add-on investments in AI/ML companies
Notably, the macrotrend is shifting toward an increase in add-on investments. The chart below shows a clear upward trend in private equity add-on investments in AI and Machine Learning, particularly since 2020. This is consistent with the overall PE trend across all industries. A significant peak was observed in 2023, with over 50 investments made in that year alone. Even in 2024 (YTD), the number of add-on investments remains strong, indicating sustained interest and growth in this space.
Major Industries for PE-Backed AI Companies
The main industries of focus for PE-backed AI companies center around:
- Technology
- Software
- Automation
- Digital
- Cybersecurity and Security Services
- Healthcare
- Data Analytics
- Finance
These sectors have been at the forefront of adopting Artificial Intelligence solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and decision-making processes. The pie chart below shows the distribution of AI/ML companies acquired by PE firms.
Sample of Recent Private Equity Investments in AI and Machine Learning
Technology
April 2024
Washington Harbour Partners acquired Raft (Reston, VA).
Raft is a modern technology and data-focused, advanced software engineering firm, specializing in next-generation software, data, and AI products and solutions to solve national security challenges.
Software
September 2024
Insight Partners acquired PictorLabs (Los Angeles, CA).
PictorLabs is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software company that provides digital transformation of histological staining.
Automation
February 2024
Caltius Capital Management acquired Lydonia (Westwood, MA).
Lydonia is a solutions, consulting, and managed services provider that delivers Intelligent Automation and AI process implementations.
Digital
May 2024
Attain Capital Partners acquired Excella (Arlington, VA).
Excella is a provider of Agile transformation, artificial intelligence, digital services delivery, and modernization.
Cybersecurity and Security Services
February 2024
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec acquired Levio (Québec, Canada).
Levio is a digital native consulting firm providing services covering all aspects of digital transformation, from business strategies to information technologies (IT), to organizational management, including cybersecurity, data valorization, artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Healthcare
January 2024
Insight Partners acquired Forta (San Francisco, CA).
Forta is an AI healthcare company improving access to dependable quality care.
Data Analytics
August 2022
Thompson Street Capital Partners acquired Intellivo (Memphis, TN).
Levio is a digital native consulting firm providing services covering all aspects of digital transformation, from business strategies to information technologies (IT), to organizational management, including cybersecurity, data valorization, artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Finance
February 2024
Puma Private Equity acquired Aveni (Scotland, UK).
Aveni is an AI FinTech company that uses Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry.
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Purchase our complete list of 650 portfolio investments made by 342 unique PE firms, with with portfolio company details, investment date, acquiring private equity firm details and the 367 key executives involved with each deal, along with their contact information.