Firms like AEA Investors

I wanted to know if there were other firms like AEA Investors in regard to fund size / culture / and focus on a limited set of industries (services, consumer, industrials). very interested in the firm and would like to see if there are others like it for recruiting purposes

10 Comments
 
 

AEA is a strong legacy name, but I don't think they have a real differentiated edge tbh. Also haven't raised a flagship fund since 2019, not a good sign. Solid guys and a great place to do a short-stint, just not sure how much of a long-term right-to-win they have in the MM PE space. Lindsay Goldberg is also a generalist player with a lot of legacy name prestige, but they have had more fundraising and return success + although a bit of a common edge, think they do have some kind of genuine sourcing edge with their history of being the first-time PE buyers for a lot of assets. Can't think of any other similar names that aren't also showing some negative signs.

 

Work in the same building as AEA. I know nothing about the firm, but their vibe (negative) always triggers me in the elevator.

 
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Ya I mean look man… AEA is kind of like McDonalds. It gets the job done and a decently well known name, but it’s not like anyone in any segment (sector) sees it as the best. You want classier fast options ? Cheaper ? Another name can come to mind for each that is better. 

I’d encourage you to think more about what sector you actually enjoy and want to do. In software, I’d think of equivalents like Mainsail/ Serent on the smaller end of the MM space, healthcare has Altaris, consumer has Sycamore/ L Catt but a little more UMM than AEA. This is probaly a good one for chat gpt. Yes imagine my comps here are a bit rough but kind of the point lol 

 

AEA does a very good job of marketing to college seniors and first year analysts that they are differentiated thru associate involvement in portcos and "operational transformation", but the reality is that every UMM fund has to have that strategy.

Would echo the points about being weary regarding fundraising -- believe they started fundraising for their current fund in 2022 (but saw a diff article of them raising $3bn of that target so not sure what's taking so long for the rest of the fundraising)

 

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