Ranking · 2026-11-02
Most active PE buyers in 138 tracked deals, August to October 2026
The 24 private equity firms with 2 or more confirmed deals among the 138 PE platform and add-on deals PE Firm Index tracked from 2026-08-01 to 2026-10-31, from 92 buyers in all.
August to October 2026
Fixed after 2026-11-21
The ranking
| Rank | Firm | Deals | Platform | Add-ons | Latest deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambienta | 7 | 1 | 6 | 2026-10-20 |
| 2 | H.I.G. Capital | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2026-10-22 |
| 3 | Thoma Bravo | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2026-10-15 |
| 4 | Wynnchurch Capital | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2026-10-12 |
| 5 | EQT Partners | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2026-10-21 |
| 6 | Pollen Street Capital | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2026-09-15 |
| 6 | Thompson Street Capital Partners | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2026-09-14 |
| 8 | Apollo Global Management | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2026-10-08 |
| 9 | Eurazeo | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2026-10-06 |
| 10 | Gauge Capital | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-09-16 |
| 10 | Gryphon Investors | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-10-15 |
| 10 | Lloyds Development Capital | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-09-21 |
| 10 | LLR Partners | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-09-01 |
| 10 | Peak Rock Capital | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-10-13 |
| 10 | Ratos | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-09-01 |
| 10 | TA Associates | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2026-09-02 |
| 17 | Accel-KKR | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2026-09-11 |
| 17 | Centre Partners | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2026-10-01 |
| 17 | Genstar Capital | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2026-08-26 |
| 20 | Charlesbank Capital Partners | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2026-10-08 |
| 20 | Francisco Partners | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2026-08-25 |
| 20 | KKR | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2026-10-06 |
| 20 | Mason Wells | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2026-10-14 |
| 20 | Triton Partners | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2026-08-18 |
Ranked firms can show a free badge; see badges. No firm paid for, or was asked for anything in return for, its position.
Badges for ranked firms
- #1 Ambienta
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/ambienta?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #1, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #2 H.I.G. Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/h-i-g-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #2, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #3 Thoma Bravo
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/thoma-bravo?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #3, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #4 Wynnchurch Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/wynnchurch-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #4, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #5 EQT Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/eqt-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #5, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #6 Pollen Street Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/pollen-street-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #6, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #6 Thompson Street Capital Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/thompson-street-capital-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #6, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #8 Apollo Global Management
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/apollo-global-management?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #8, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #9 Eurazeo
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/eurazeo?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #9, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 Gauge Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/gauge-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 Gryphon Investors
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/gryphon-investors?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 Lloyds Development Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/lloyds-development-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 LLR Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/llr-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 Peak Rock Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/peak-rock-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 Ratos
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/ratos?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #10 TA Associates
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/ta-associates?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #10, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #17 Accel-KKR
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/accel-kkr?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #17, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #17 Centre Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/centre-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #17, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #17 Genstar Capital
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/genstar-capital?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #17, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #20 Charlesbank Capital Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/charlesbank-capital-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #20, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #20 Francisco Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/francisco-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #20, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #20 KKR
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/kkr?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #20, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #20 Mason Wells
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/mason-wells?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #20, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a> - #20 Triton Partners
<a href="https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026?ref=badge"><img src="https://pefirmindex.com/badge/triton-partners?ranking=most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026" alt="Ranked #20, Most active PE buyers, Aug to Oct 2026, PE Firm Index" width="220" height="56"></a>
Methodology
A deal counts when a public announcement names both sides, the deal is confirmed (not proposed or rumoured), it is a private equity platform acquisition or an add-on, and it carries an announcement date between 2026-08-01 and 2026-10-31 that the source states.
A platform deal credits the acquiring firm. An add-on credits the private equity sponsor behind the acquiring company, only when the announcement or the firm's own portfolio page names that sponsor. A deal announced under two buyers' names credits neither.
Firms are ordered by deals, then add-ons, then name; equal counts share a rank. Firms with one deal in the period are counted in the total and not listed.
Limits
- PE Firm Index tracks public announcements, not every private deal. A deal we did not see is not counted, so every count is a floor and the ranking reflects announced activity.
- This edition is updated as late-reported deals reach us until November 21, 2026, then fixed.
Sources
Cite this ranking
PE Firm Index, Most active PE buyers in 138 tracked deals, August to October 2026. https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026
PE Firm Index is maintained by Mario Peshev, who also runs DevriX and Growth Shuttle, advisors to PE-backed companies. Neither is a subject of this research, and no firm paid for or reviewed its inclusion.
Updated 2026-11-02. Permalink: https://pefirmindex.com/research/most-active-pe-buyers-aug-oct-2026