Behind the Curtain: Exploring AI's Transformative Power in Private Equity
Behind the Curtain: Exploring AI's Transformative Power in Private Equity
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Website: www.jngr5.com Email: [email protected]
Student, University School of Management Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India
Abstract
This study investigates private equity (PE), a crucial segment of the global financial ecosystem where
funds and investors directly invest in private companies or buy out public companies. Unlike public eq-
uity markets, PE offers essential capital for growth, restructuring, and management buyouts, predomi-
nantly from institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. The study outlines the structure of PE
firms as limited partnerships, where general partners manage investments while limited partners provide
capital and share profits. It explores various types of PE investments, including venture capital, growth
capital, buyouts, and distressed situations. The research highlights significant growth in the PE sector,
driven by superior returns compared to traditional asset classes, despite challenges from evolving tech-
nology and regulatory changes. A central focus is the role of artificial intelligence (AI), which is trans-
forming deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio management, and operational efficiency. The objectives
of this study are to understand the operations and significance of private equity firms, explore AI's im-
pact on PE functions, and assess the market landscape of AI within the private equity sector. This explo-
ration provides insights into AI's potential to reshape investment strategies and enhance value creation in
private equity.
Keywords: Private equity, Investment, Artificial intelligence, Buyouts, Limited partnerships, General
partners, Value creation
1. Introduction
Private equity (PE) is a form of investment where funds and investors directly invest in private compa-
nies or engage in buyouts of public companies, resulting in their delisting from public stock exchanges.
Unlike public equity markets, where companies raise capital through the issuance of shares to the gen-
eral public, private equity focuses on acquiring stakes in companies that are not listed on public markets.
The private equity industry plays a crucial role in providing capital to companies that require funding for
growth, operational restructuring, or management buyouts.
PE investments are typically made by institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), or
private equity firms that pool capital from limited partners (LPs). These investments are made with the
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expectation of achieving higher returns over a long-term horizon, often through active involvement in
the management and strategic decisions of the invested company. This long-term perspective allows
private equity firms to implement significant changes in a company's operations, financial structure, or
management, which might be difficult in a public market environment.
1.1 Structure of private equity firms
Private equity firms are organized as limited partnerships, with the private equity firm acting as the gen-
eral partner (GP) and the investors as limited partners (LPs). The general partner is responsible for
sourcing deals, making investment decisions, and managing the portfolio, while the limited partners
provide the capital for investments but do not participate in day-to-day operations. In return for their in-
vestment, LPs are entitled to a share of the profits, typically after the general partner receives a perfor-
mance-based fee known as "carried interest."
1.2 Types of private equity investments
1. Venture Capital (VC): Focuses on early-stage companies with high growth potential, often in
industries such as technology or biotechnology.
2. Growth capital: Provides capital to mature companies that require funds to expand or restruc-
ture operations, enter new markets, or finance a major acquisition without changing ownership
control.
3. Buyouts: Involves acquiring a controlling interest in a company, often by leveraging debt to fi-
nance the transaction. Buyouts can take the form of management buyouts (MBOs), where the
existing management team takes control, or leveraged buyouts (LBOs).
4. Distressed or special situations: Private equity firms may invest in companies experiencing fi-
nancial difficulties but with potential for recovery, often restructuring operations or management
to turn the business around.
In recent years, private equity has experienced significant growth, driven by its ability to offer superior
returns compared to traditional asset classes such as public equities or bonds. According to industry es-
timates, global private equity assets under management (AUM) have surged, making it a key component
of the global financial ecosystem. However, with the growing size and complexity of deals, the private
equity industry faces increasing pressure to adapt to evolving technological advancements, regulatory
changes, and market dynamics. One of the most transformative forces in this landscape is the integration
of artificial intelligence (AI). (1,2,6)
AI has emerged as a powerful tool, reshaping industries and business operations by enabling automation,
enhancing decision-making, and optimizing processes. In the realm of private equity, AI is revolutioniz-
ing deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio management, and operational improvements. PE firms are
increasingly leveraging AI-driven algorithms, machine learning models, and advanced data analytics to
make more informed investment decisions, mitigate risks, and unlock new value-creation opportunities.
(11,13,14)
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2. Study Objectives
To understand the operation and significance of Private Equity Firms
To know the role of AI in PE functions
To examine the market scenario of AI and PE
3. Research Methodology
The research design used for this project is Descriptive research. This project heavily relies on secondary
sources, particularly those found online. The systematic presentation of all the gathered and compiled
information and data might lead to meaningful inferences. The paper also has a connection to current
circumstances.
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Proprietary deals: Private equity firms often rely on their own networks, industry relationships, and
reputation to source deals directly from company owners or management teams. These are known as
proprietary deals, as they are typically exclusive to the firm.
Intermediaries and brokers: Sometimes private equity firms work with investment banks, brokers, or
other intermediaries to find potential investment opportunities. These intermediaries help connect the
private equity firm with companies that are looking for investors or buyers.
Screening and due diligence: Once potential targets are identified, the firm conducts due diligence to
assess the viability of the investment. This involves a deep dive into the company’s financials, market
position, management team, operations, and potential for growth. The firm will evaluate whether the
company aligns with its investment thesis and whether there are opportunities to add value and achieve a
good return.
3. Acquiring companies (leveraged buyouts)
One of the most common methods private equity firms use to acquire companies is through a leveraged
buyout (LBO). In an LBO, the private equity firm uses a combination of its own equity and a significant
amount of debt to purchase a company. The debt is typically secured by the assets of the acquired com-
pany and is repaid over time using the company’s cash flows.
Why leverage is used: Leveraging the buyout allows the private equity firm to make larger investments
without having to put up all the capital themselves. This also amplifies potential returns—if the compa-
ny performs well and its value increases, the equity return on the private equity firm’s initial investment
can be significantly higher due to the use of borrowed money.
Negotiating and closing: After evaluating the target company and securing financing, the private equity
firm negotiates terms with the company’s owners. This includes agreeing on a purchase price and any
other terms, such as earn-outs or management participation. Once a deal is agreed upon, the acquisition
is finalized, and the private equity firm takes control of the company.
4. Creating value in portfolio companies
After acquiring a company, private equity firms focus on creating value, improving the company’s per-
formance, and increasing its profitability. This is a critical stage of the process and one that distinguishes
successful private equity firms.
Operational improvements: Private equity firms often bring in their expertise, resources, and network
to improve the operations of the portfolio company. This may involve optimizing the supply chain, im-
proving marketing strategies, upgrading technology systems, reducing costs, or streamlining processes.
Strategic growth: Many private equity firms focus on helping companies grow by entering new mar-
kets, launching new products or services, or expanding geographically. They may also pursue add-on
acquisitions, where the portfolio company acquires smaller competitors or complementary businesses to
expand its market presence.
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Management and governance: Private equity firms often play an active role in the management of
their portfolio companies. They may replace or supplement the company’s management team with expe-
rienced executives, and they typically implement stronger governance structures, including performance
metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress.
Financial engineering: In addition to operational improvements, private equity firms may use financial
restructuring to boost the company’s value. This could involve refinancing existing debt, optimizing the
company’s capital structure, or finding ways to improve cash flow management.
5. Exit strategy: realizing returns
The ultimate goal of private equity firms is to exit the investment at a higher value than what they ini-
tially paid, thereby generating a return for the firm and its investors. There are several ways private eq-
uity firms can exit an investment:
Initial Public Offering (IPO): If the company has grown substantially and the market conditions are
favourable, the private equity firm may take the company public through an IPO. This allows them to
sell their shares in the open market and realize a return on their investment.
Sale to another company (strategic buyer): The firm may sell the portfolio company to a strategic
buyer, such as another company in the same industry that wants to acquire the company for synergies,
market expansion, or other strategic reasons.
Secondary buyout: Sometimes, private equity firms sell their portfolio company to another private eq-
uity firm. This is known as a secondary buyout and is a common exit strategy when the original firm
feels the company has reached its potential under their management but still has room for further
growth.
Recapitalization: In some cases, private equity firms may recapitalize the company by selling a portion
of their stake back to the company or another investor, while retaining a partial ownership interest. This
allows them to take some profits off the table while continuing to benefit from future growth.
6. Returns and compensation: how private equity firms make money
Private equity firms make money through a combination of management fees and carried interest:
Management fees: Private equity firms typically charge LPs an annual management fee, usually around
1.5% to 2% of the total committed capital. This fee is meant to cover the firm’s operating expenses, such
as salaries, office space, and overhead.
Carried interest: The bulk of a private equity firm’s profits come from carried interest, which is a share
of the profits generated by the fund. Typically, this is around 20% of the profits, after the LPs have been
paid back their initial investment plus a preferred return (usually around 8%). This structure incentivizes
the private equity firm to maximize the fund’s performance, as their compensation is directly tied to the
success of their investments. (3,4,13,14,11)
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formance of businesses, driving them toward long-term sustainability and success, which benefits em-
ployees, customers, and the economy as a whole. (5,6,7)
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panies, providing a clearer understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with different strate-
gic decisions.
The Future of AI in private equity
AI is still in the early stages of its integration into private equity, but its role is expected to grow signifi-
cantly in the coming years. As AI technology advances, it will likely become an indispensable tool in the
PE industry, driving greater efficiency, better decision-making, and higher returns. Firms that embrace
AI early on will have a competitive advantage, as they will be able to leverage data and insights that are
simply out of reach for those relying on traditional methods.
In summary, AI is reshaping the private equity landscape by enhancing every stage of the investment
process. From deal sourcing and due diligence to optimizing portfolio company performance and man-
aging risk, AI enables private equity firms to operate more efficiently, make smarter decisions, and ulti-
mately generate better returns for their investors. As the technology continues to evolve, the influence of
AI on private equity will only deepen, revolutionizing the industry for years to come.
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Artificial Intelligence-Related Private Equity Deals in the Global Technology Sector (by deal vol-
ume) - Q3 2021 – Q4 2023
Artificial Intelligence-Related Private Equity Transactions in the Global Technology Sector (by
deal value) - Q3 2021 – Q4 2023
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AI companies more than doubled. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, private equity invest-
ments in generative AI surged to $2.18 billion in 2023, up from $1 billion the previous year, even as
M&A activity backed by private equity slowed across most sectors. This momentum carried into early
2024, with $250 million invested in generative AI by mid-February, surpassing the first quarter of
2023’s total.
Global PE/VC-Backed Investments in Generative AI Since 2018-2023
Figure 1: KKR
Excitement grows
The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 ignited a wave of investment interest in generative AI. Pri-
vate equity-backed investments soared to $927.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, a dramatic rise
compared to the $121.5 million recorded during the same period in the previous year, according to Mar-
ket Intelligence data.
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Figure 2: KKR
Generative AI gained momentum alongside increased private equity investment in the field.
During the last quarter of 2023, the term "AI" was cited 2,398 times in the earnings calls of 159 S&P
500 companies, marking a nearly tenfold surge compared to the prior year. In the previous year's earn-
ings calls, only 52 companies in the index mentioned the term, as reported by Market Intelligence's
Trending Topics.
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Global Private Equity and Venture Capital entries worldwide since 2021
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In March, Europe experienced a notable rise in deal value, hitting $13.77 billion—an impressive in-
crease of over 72% compared to March 2023. Conversely, private equity investments in the US and
Canada plummeted, falling 74.9% year-over-year to $10.73 billion for the month. Likewise, investments
in the Asia-Pacific region reached $5.91 billion, reflecting a 63.1% drop from the previous year.
(9,15,16,17)
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