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Given the new fundraising boom in PE, UMM would be best characterized in the $5 - $10bn last fund size range. Between $1 - $5bn last fund size is MM, and sub $1bn would call LMM. When I think UMM, I typically think Clearlake / Veritas / NMC / Francisco / GTCR / BDT / MDP / Berkshire / Centerbridge / Ares / BC Partners / Leonard Green. Other ones mentioned above, would consider them mostly MM.

Labeling a firm MM vs UMM is usually a viewpoint on average check size, but usually hard to pinpoint that without very deep research, so easier to look fund size and assume 15-20 investments per fund as a general proxy. AUM is not a good proxy as there are some funds that have huge AUM but are making small investments (ie HIG with $40+bn AUM and largest fund being $3bn).

 

 Yeah that's right, but I don't think that automatically means they are a megafund. Perhaps a better way to characterize is to use the above criteria for fund size as a first screen. Then, would use the following criteria - whether or not the fund either A) operates on a global scale (ie in countries other than the US) or B) has multiple asset classes outside of buyout. Probably the only megafund that doesn't fall into the criteria listed above is CD&R, which I would still argue is a fairly relevant megafund given their check size and who they typically compete with on deals. 

Just because Clearlake just raised a $10bn last fund or Leonard Green raises a $12bn fund means they are immediately considered a megafund - it's really a term that used to describe more historically relevant firms, or more recently, firms have have an outrageously quick & large fundraising cycle to blow past $15 bn buyout fund (ie Thoma / Vista). I don't see Leonard Green do $5+ bn deals with a high degree of frequency, nor I do see them partner with your standard laundry list of MFs when doing a $15 / $20 bn deal. 

 
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