Private Equity (PE)
Definition
Investment capital provided to companies that are not listed on a public stock exchange, or used to take public companies private. PE firms typically acquire controlling stakes in mature businesses, apply operational improvements, and seek exits within 3-7 years.
Complementary Terms
Concepts that frequently appear alongside Private Equity (PE) in practice.
A style of private equity investment focused on mature, profitable, or near-profitable companies seeking capital to accelerate expansion without ceding majority control. Growth equity investors typically target businesses with proven product-market fit and strong intangible asset bases, providing capital for scaling operations, entering new markets, or funding acquisitions.
The percentage ownership interest a shareholder holds in a company. Equity stakes determine voting rights, dividend entitlements, and the share of proceeds received in a sale or liquidation event.
A form of private equity financing provided to early-stage, high-growth potential companies in exchange for equity. VC firms typically invest across multiple rounds (seed through Series C+), provide strategic guidance, and target returns through exits within 5-10 years.
The commercial value derived from consumer perception of a brand name. Brand equity is one of the most significant intangible assets for consumer-facing businesses and influences pricing power, customer loyalty, and market share.
Net income divided by shareholders' equity, measuring the return generated on owners' invested capital. High ROE can indicate efficient use of equity but should be interpreted alongside leverage levels and the quality of earnings.
The value attributable to the shareholders of a business after deducting all debt and debt-like obligations from enterprise value. Equity value represents what the owners would receive if the business were sold and all liabilities settled.
The ownership stake held by a company's founders, typically established at incorporation and subject to dilution through subsequent funding rounds. Founders' equity is usually subject to vesting schedules and may carry different rights from investor shares, reflecting the intangible contribution of the founding team's vision and early-stage effort.
The incremental return that investors require for holding equities over risk-free government bonds, reflecting the additional risk associated with equity ownership. The ERP is a critical input to cost of equity estimation under both CAPM and build-up methods.
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