This analysis builds on our previous blog, Cross-Border PE Flows Are Reshaping the Global Deal Landscape, where we highlighted the growing importance of international capital flows in private equity.
In this follow-up, we analyzed private equity cross-border deal activity by PE firm from our M&A Research Database for the period 2020 – 2026YTD. The data includes:
- 2,973 – U.S. PE firm platform investments in non-U.S. portfolio companies.
- 1,330 – International PE firm platform investments in U.S. portfolio companies.
U.S. investors remain the primary drivers of outbound capital, while inbound investment into the U.S. is more selective and sector focused.
Top 10 U.S.-based PE firms investing in international companies
- Insight Partners
- KKR & Co.
- General Atlantic
- Carlyle Group
- Warburg Pincus
- L Catterton
- Bain Capital
- TPG
- Advent International
- TA Associates
These firms are consistently deploying capital across borders, often using platform investments and add-on strategies to scale globally.
Top 10 international PE firms investing in U.S. companies
While global capital is flowing into multiple regions, the U.S. continues to attract strong inbound interest, particularly from large international investors:
- CPP Investments
- Ardian
- EQT Partners
- Permira
- Novo Holdings
- EDBI
- SV Health Investors
- HBM Healthcare Investments
- Volaris Group
- Harris Computer
Inbound capital tends to be concentrated in innovation-driven sectors such as healthcare and technology.
Top countries fuelling cross-border PE activity into the U.S
These countries refer to the location of private equity firms investing into U.S portfolio companies, the source of inbound capital and consequently, the transfer of assets in exchange for that capital.
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- France
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Germany
- United Arab Emirates
- Denmark
- Belgium
Cross-border capital is increasingly originating from a diverse set of global hubs, not just traditional PE strongholds. While Europe remains a dominant region, Singapore and the UAE are emerging as strategic hubs for cross-border investments.
