Best West Coast PE Shops?

Who are the top PE shops based on the West Coast in order?

Here is my best guess in order of a combo deals, size, prestige, etc.

TPG

Hellman and Friedman

Silverlake

Oaktree Capital

Francisco Partners

KKR Menlo Park

Ares Capital

Warburg Pincus Menlo

Leonard Green

Blum Capital

Golden Gate Capital

Elevation Partners

General Atlantic Menlo Park

Carlyle San Francisco

Blackstone Menlo Park

Brentwood Associates

Calera Capital

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Excuse my ignorance here, but is Elevation really that good?  I mean, sure they're ex-Silver Lake guys and yes, they have a billion+ fund but I would argue that's more about the founder's backgrounds and the Bono factor (which makes me want to puke).  To me, they're still an unproven first fund that has made some iffy investments (minority stake in Palm?).  Why does everyone insist on putting them in the same group as Silver Lake, Apollo, TPG, General Atlantic, etc.?

 

You're right that Apollo should be right below H&F on this list.  My mistake.

Elevation is certainly innovative and they are investing in IP and Media assets that most PE shops haven't even considered.  The pedigree of the principals and their AUM certainly puts them on list.  I admit they may need to be lower on the list.

The Prince of Wall Street

http://www.princeofwallstreet.com

 

That's your list in order? WTF

Ares before LGP? Elevation above GA? Francisco at no.5? Oaktree PE! (not distressed) as no.3? KKR as no.6? Dude, honestly you are way off. Maybe TPG no.1 cuz its SF centric and HF should def be up there but the rest are all over the place.

You realize that Oaktree has like a 2-3 bn fund right? and Ares is basically losing money on all its investments and Elevation is a joke etc....

 

That's your list in order? WTF Ares before LGP? Elevation above GA? Francisco at no.5? Oaktree PE! (not distressed) as no.3? KKR as no.6? Dude, honestly you are way off. Maybe TPG no.1 cuz its SF centric and HF should def be up there but the rest are all over the place. You realize that Oaktree has like a 2-3 bn fund right? and Ares is basically losing money on all its investments and Elevation is a joke etc....

 

really? wow...i'm don't know the company well, but i thought PE, bono, silver lake connection, must be really bad ass. Do the employees make standard PE salary? I have a friend at elevation, always cocky, can i talk trash to him next time? 

 

The people there seem largely from top-tier places: Blackstone, Silver Lake, Bain Cap.  I'd give it some time...it's a new firm, and IRRs mean little until you've actually exited an investment.  I agree, the palm buyout seems dumb, but maybe after 5 years, we'll look dumb instead.

 

Umm, this thread is 5 years old...

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 
Glabibou

Anyone knows good headhunters in this area?

I believe Carter Pierce is strictly West Coast focused.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

heard the people at Golden Gate kinda suck (as in they're dicks) from a friend who went there from MBB, just one data point but eh. i'd be interested in hearing about west coast growth equity shops outside of elite VCs with growth teams/that do growth rounds (Accel, Sequoia, etc.) and typically later stage players like Kleiner, it seems like a lot of them are based on the east coast for whatever reason?

 

pretty sure this is findable with a search but i'll help out.

SF: TPG, Golden Gate, H&F, FFL, FP, ThomaBravo, GenStar, Vista Equity, calera capital Menlo: KKR, SLP, Elevation, General Atlantic

there are certainly more 'growth equity' type shops in the bay as well, but i'm less familiar with them, uncertain if they make your screen - names like TCV, Summit, should come up here

i'm not as familiar with LA but: LA: LGP, Apollo (LA)

 

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