Carlyle Group

Founded in 1987 at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City, The Carlyle Group began as a boutique investment bank before raising its first dedicated buyout fund in 1990. The firm established an early reputation for its investments in the defense industry, notably acquiring United Defense Industries in 1997, though it has since diversified into a broad range of global sectors. In 2012, Carlyle completed an initial public offering on the NASDAQ, transitioning from a private partnership to a public corporation.

The firm operates through three primary business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Global Investment Solutions. Its private equity arm focuses on leveraged buyouts and growth capital across various industries and geographies, while its credit segment manages distressed, special situations, and direct lending. Through its AlpInvest subsidiary, the firm also maintains a significant presence in the fund of funds and secondary markets.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Carlyle executed some of the largest leveraged buyouts in history, including deals for Hertz, Kinder Morgan, and Nielsen. Despite challenges with certain investments like Hawaiian Telcom during the 2008 financial crisis, the firm has grown into one of the largest alternative asset managers in the world. As of 2024, the firm manages over $440 billion in assets and employs approximately 2,300 people across four continents.