The Carlyle Group

Founded in 1987 at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City, the firm initially operated as a boutique investment bank before raising its first dedicated buyout fund in 1990. In its early years, Carlyle gained a prominent reputation for its investments in the defense industry, acquiring companies like United Defense Industries and GDE Systems, and for its deep connections to high-profile political figures.

Over the decades, the firm has evolved into a diversified global asset manager. It has been involved in some of the largest leveraged buyouts in history, including Hertz, Kinder Morgan, and Nielsen. After years as a private partnership, Carlyle went public in 2012 and is currently listed on the NASDAQ. The firm operates through three primary segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Global Investment Solutions (which includes AlpInvest).

In recent years, Carlyle has focused on leadership transitions and expanding its reach into new sectors such as technology, healthcare, and sustainability services. Following a period of co-CEO leadership under Glenn Youngkin and Kewsong Lee, the firm appointed Harvey Schwartz as CEO in 2023 to lead its next phase of growth. The firm continues to be a major force in the global markets, operating 28 offices across four continents.