the Golden Section logo
PRIVATE EQUITY

Private Equity Fund Structure

As a founder, you may have heard of private equity funds and wondered what they are and how they work. Private equity funds are investment vehicles that provide capital to companies in exchange for an ownership stake.

Private equity funds are investment vehicles that provide capital to companies in exchange for an ownership stake. They can be used to finance acquisitions, recapitalization, or other corporate transactions. They provide much-needed capital for startups and small businesses that may not be able to secure traditional financing options such as bank loans or venture capital investments. This allows founders to scale their businesses faster than if they had relied solely on self-funding or bootstrapping methods.

PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDS
INVESTMENT VEHICLES
VENTURE CAPITAL
GOLDEN SECTION
FUNDRAISING

B2B software companies served... and counting

Equity Funds

Private equity funds are also critical to understand because they can provide valuable advice and guidance during the fundraising process.

These companies often have extensive networks of contacts in the industry which can help founders find potential investors and partners who may not otherwise be aware of their company or product offering. Additionally, these firms often have experience in structuring deals which can help ensure that the terms are favorable for both parties involved in the transaction.

Types Of Private Equity Fund

The 9 types of private equity are, in no particular order: 

Venture capital, growth equity, real estate private equity, distressed private equity, mezzanine capital, leveraged buyouts, infrastructure, fund of funds, and secondaries. Because they come in so many different shapes and sizes, it’s important to understand the different types available before making any decisions.

a photo taken from behind of two women looking at a laptop screen with the woman on the right pointing to it

What Is A Private Equity Fund?

A private equity fund is an investment vehicle that pools together capital from investors and invests it into private companies. The fund typically takes a minority stake in the company and provides capital for growth initiatives such as acquisitions, recapitalization, or other corporate transactions. The fund also provides strategic advice and guidance to the company’s management team on how best to use the capital provided by the fund.

There are several different types of private equity funds available for founders looking for financing. Each type of fund has its own unique set of characteristics that make them suitable for certain types of investments. Below, we explore some of the most common types of private equity funds.

  • Venture Capital (VC) Funds

VCs invest in early-stage companies with high potential for growth but limited resources. These investments often involve taking a significant stake in the company with an expectation that the value will increase over time as the company grows and matures. VCs typically look for innovative ideas with strong potential returns on their investments but also take risks due to their long-term nature.

  • Buyout Funds

Buyout firms specialize in acquiring controlling stakes in mature companies with established track records of success. These firms typically focus on larger deals where they can leverage their expertise to drive operational improvements within the target company while also providing additional capital resources needed for expansion or restructuring efforts.

  • Growth Equity Funds

Growth equity firms focus on investing in later-stage companies that have already achieved some level of success but need additional funding to reach their full potential. These firms provide both financial resources as well as strategic advice on how best to use those resources to maximize returns on their investments over time.

  • Mezzanine Debt Funds

Mezzanine debt is a form of financing that combines elements of both debt and equity financing by providing loans at higher interest rates than traditional bank loans while also giving lenders an ownership stake in the company if certain conditions are met over time (e.g., repayment terms). This type of financing is often used by mature companies looking to expand operations without taking on too much risk or diluting existing shareholders’ stakes too much through additional rounds of fundraising activities like IPOs or secondary offerings.

  • Real Estate-Focused Funds

Real estate-focused PE firms specialize in investing in real estate projects such as office buildings, shopping centers, residential developments, etc. These investments often involve taking a significant stake in these projects with an expectation that their value will increase over time due to appreciation or rental income generated from tenants occupying these properties.

  •  Infrastructure-Focused Funds

Infrastructure-focused PE firms specialize in investing in large-scale infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, airports, etc. These investments often involve taking a significant stake in these projects with an expectation that their value will increase over time due to appreciation or revenue generated from tolls paid by users utilizing these facilities.

a photo of two men sitting and talking on opposite ends of a couch, each has a laptop on their lap
Venture Capital

Top Private Equity Firms

It’s not necessarily true that the biggest private equity firms are the top private equity firms. In the United States alone, there are thousands of private equity firms, and each one provides a unique service. According to Investopedia, the top 10 private equity firms are:

  •  The Blackstone Group Inc.
  • KKR & Co. Inc
  • CVC Capital Partners
  • The Carlyle Group Inc.
  • Thoma Bravo
  • EQT
  • Vista Equity Partners
  • TPG Capital
  • Warburg Pincus LLC
  • Neuberger Berman Group LLC

While many of these organizations have decades of experience and proven track records, founders don’t always have to work with the biggest, most well-known equity firms in order to support their businesses. For smaller, unknown businesses, it can sometimes be difficult to secure funding at these larger organizations. Furthermore, they may not always be able to provide the same level of support that you need in your industry. Sometimes, it’s better to work with an organization that understands you and your business.

top 10 private equity firms
top private equity firms
biggest private equity firms

Golden Section is a venture capital fund and founder’s studio that provides early-stage funding for startups with innovative ideas. Our team comprises experienced entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses from scratch and understand what it takes to turn an idea into a reality. We offer hands-on support throughout the entire process—from ideation to launch—and provide access to their network of mentors, advisors, investors, and partners.

Our focus is B2B software, and we will help you follow a proven path for efficient growth. Whether you are looking for early-stage funding, product development capital, or new sources of growth-stage financing, we have your back. To learn more about the clients we have been able to help, view our full portfolio here.

Types of Private Equity Strategies

    As previously alluded to, there are a variety of approaches and several different types of private equity strategies you can  utilize to make the most of your investments. For instance, a private equity buyout is when a private equity firm buys a company, small, medium-sized, or large, and makes strategic changes to hopefully turn the company around back towards profitability. This is virtually the inverse of a typical venture capital investment since venture capitalists often invest in startup organizations or relatively young businesses that show signs of being highly profitable or successful within a specific marketplace.

    It’s also important to understand the distinction between private equity and venture capital. Venture capital is a more speculative type of funding generally granted to startups or businesses in their infancy that show a lot of potential for growth and profitability. Private equity, on the other hand, is capital that gets invested into an organization or another entity inaccessible to the general public. While similar, venture capital and private equity funds are generally invested in disparate types of businesses. Not only that, but they also differ in the amount of money that gets invested as well.

    types of private equity strategies
    private equity buyout
    Venture capital
    Houston Building Landscape
    fund of funds example

    Private equity firms

    Private equity firms generally buy out companies that have been established already – perhaps the companies are even in a state of decline, or they aren’t performing in alignment with expectations and projections. The private equity firm, once having purchased a majority stake in the company or the entire company outright, then makes several changes to the organization in order to make it profitable. Conversely, a venture capital firm may invest in a company that doesn’t have much more to its name than a prototype. Both methods have their various risks, but they also serve their own unique purposes. And while the ultimate goal of both venture capital and private equity funds is to make money, the two approaches are indisputably distinct. 

    best fund of funds
    fund of funds example
    saas companies

    Private Equity Fund Of Funds

      A private equity fund of funds is an investment vehicle that pools together multiple private equity strategies into one portfolio for diversification purposes while still allowing access to specialized expertise across various sectors/industries without having direct exposure to themselves through individual positions within each fund’s portfolio holdings.  

      This type of structure allows for greater flexibility and access to specialized expertise across different sectors/industries without having direct exposure to themselves through individual positions within each fund’s portfolio holdings. Private equity is one way founders can access capital when traditional sources like banks aren’t available or don’t meet your needs—but it’s important you understand all your options before making any decisions about which type(s) might be right for you. With so many different types out there, it’s essential you do your research first so you can find one tailored specifically towards your business goals and objectives.  

      private equity fund
      investment vehicle
      b2b saas founders
      Houston Building Landscape
      Golden Section

      Here at Golden Section, we are dedicated to supporting you. Ready to get funded?

      Fill out our application here and see how we can help you grow your business and achieve your goals. 

      a photo taken from the chest down of a man using a laptop at a table
      Contact us

      Let’s Map Out Your Journey.

      Here’s what our partners are saying…

      From our MVP in 2015 to demonstrated Product Market Fit to strategic support with our growth funding, the Golden Section team has been an indispensable partner and resource for System Surveyor.

      Christopher Hugman
      Founder & CEO, System Surveyor

      Since QMSC’s inception, Golden Section has provided valuable direction regarding strategic market alignment, branding, and most importantly intuitive guidance for our technology roadmap.

      Marshall R. Williams
      Founder, QMSC

      As an entrepreneur, I need to have a partner who understands my vision, not just a digital order taker. Golden Section has exceeded my expectations, providing tools and people to help grow my business rapidly.

      Charles Turner
      Founder & CEO, KARE