Apollo Global Management

Founded in 1990 by former Drexel Burnham Lambert bankers Leon Black, Josh Harris, and Marc Rowan, Apollo Global Management established itself early on through a strategy of distressed-to-control takeovers. The firm leveraged the expertise of its founders in high-yield bonds and corporate restructurings to acquire controlling interests in companies undergoing bankruptcy or reorganization, such as Vail Resorts and Samsonite. Over the following decades, Apollo expanded its reach through a series of large-scale private equity funds and the launch of Apollo Investment Corporation, a publicly traded business development company.

The firm's investment approach is characterized by a value-oriented focus across three primary segments: credit, private equity, and real assets. Apollo manages capital for a diverse range of institutional investors, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and endowments. In 2021, the firm underwent a significant leadership transition when co-founder Leon Black resigned as CEO following revelations regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, leading to Marc Rowan assuming the role of CEO. Today, Apollo is recognized as one of the world's largest alternative investment managers, consistently ranking among the top private equity firms globally by assets raised.