Fundraising

The lower mid-market buyout firm entered the fundraising market with a target of $350m but closed Guardian Capital Partners Fund IV at $441m.

Gridiron Capital Fund VI's target size is up moderately from the $2.1bn raised by its predecessor in 2023 against a $1.8bn target.

Buyouts has seen a significant number of lower mid-market private equity firms overcome elongated fundraising, which last year averaged 18.6 months in the North American industry.

Fund II built on the firm’s initial fundraise that closed in 2024, growing the LP base to 10 from four original backers, the note said.

How scarcity value is impacting the secondaries gold rush; why PE portfolios could have a maturity issue; StepStone defies headwinds to post a record year of fundraising.

Oversight of the firm's four remaining assets and the wind-down process is expected to fall to two members of the firm’s management team.

KKR raised a muscular $129bn across all strategies in 2025, marking 'the highest fundraising year in our 50-year history,' Craig Larson, head of investor relations, said in an earnings call.

The LP composition included college endowments, fund of funds and family offices, among other investors, mainly in North America.

Siguler Guff Small Buyout Opportunities Fund VI had as of December secured $1.67bn, or more than three-quarters of its target, according to Form D filings.

In today's edition, BC Partners has become the latest firm to heighten its investment strategy focus; Rethinking the illiquidity premium in semi-liquid vehicles; Fundraising update for Apollo's latest PE flagship.