Berkshire Partners

Berkshire Partners is a distinguished Boston-based private equity firm established in 1986, specializing in control investments and significant minority stakes in mid-sized private companies. Unlike traditional venture capital firms that often target early-stage startups, Berkshire Partners focuses on more mature businesses with established market positions and robust growth potential. Their investment approach is characterized by long-term partnerships with strong management teams across diverse industries.

The firm's investment strategy is sector-agnostic within its core areas of expertise, which include Consumer, Services & Digital Infrastructure, Healthcare, Industrials, and Technology. They seek companies that demonstrate sustainable competitive advantages, opportunities for operational improvement, and avenues for strategic expansion. Berkshire Partners leverages its deep industry knowledge and extensive network to support portfolio companies in achieving their growth objectives, often through strategic acquisitions, market expansion, and operational enhancements.

Berkshire Partners has a strong track record of successful fundraising, underscoring investor confidence in their strategy. Their latest fund, Fund IX, successfully closed in 2021 with substantial capital commitments totaling $5.5 billion. This follows the equally successful Fund VIII, which also closed at $5.5 billion in 2016. Since its inception, the firm has raised over $20 billion in aggregate capital commitments across its various funds, demonstrating its significant financial capacity and enduring presence in the private equity landscape.

Reflecting their focus on established, mid-to-large-sized enterprises, Berkshire Partners typically deploys substantial capital in each transaction. Their first cheque sizes generally range from $100 million to over $1 billion, positioning them as a major financial partner for companies seeking significant growth capital or ownership transitions. This substantial investment range highlights their commitment to impactful, transformative investments rather than smaller, incremental funding rounds.