Private / growth equity layoffs (OpenView, LLR Partners)

News of keyman triggering the OpenView bust last week + hearing of some significant layoffs at MM growth funds like LLR Partners.

Curious if anyone else has more details on either firm or is hearing the same / seeing some contagion across the growth space given how much valuations have come down?

24 Comments
 

Jeez... that was a rabbit hole. Can't imagine too many people want to do deals with Audax going forward if true.

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 
Most Helpful

There have been a lot of layoffs in PE this year. The majority of the people I work with are mid-level PE folks and a lot of them are looking for jobs. This year there seems to be a significant uptick in people who have been laid off for a variety of reasons. PE firms outside of the large cap and MF space are mostly too small to do “mass layoffs,” but a lot of brand name firms have been cutting heads this year. It certainly compounds the recruiting problem as there are fewer mid-level PE jobs at the moment and no shortage of people looking for new opportunities. Tough times.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
CompBanker

There have been a lot of layoffs in PE this year. The majority of the people I work with are mid-level PE folks and a lot of them are looking for jobs. This year there seems to be a significant uptick in people who have been laid off for a variety of reasons. PE firms outside of the large cap and MF space are mostly too small to do “mass layoffs,” but a lot of brand name firms have been cutting heads this year. It certainly compounds the recruiting problem as there are fewer mid-level PE jobs at the moment and no shortage of people looking for new opportunities. Tough times.

CompBanker - are these indicators of potential recession or just slow growth right now given the current economic environment? 

It is not just PE, but a lot of other industries seeing slowdown/lay offs right now.

 

Not CompBanker but familiar with a few other industries: healthcare and tech through talking with a lot of people within those spaces these past few months. Things are looking up and many are expecting a soft landing. For healthcare, hiring will likely pick up in Q1. Tech, more like Q2.

Been watching a lot of the market / CNBC / Bloomberg lately and that seems to be the sentiment for the overall market by their analysts / guests.

 
IcedxTaro
CompBanker

There have been a lot of layoffs in PE this year. The majority of the people I work with are mid-level PE folks and a lot of them are looking for jobs. This year there seems to be a significant uptick in people who have been laid off for a variety of reasons. PE firms outside of the large cap and MF space are mostly too small to do “mass layoffs,” but a lot of brand name firms have been cutting heads this year. It certainly compounds the recruiting problem as there are fewer mid-level PE jobs at the moment and no shortage of people looking for new opportunities. Tough times.

CompBanker - are these indicators of potential recession or just slow growth right now given the current economic environment? 

It is not just PE, but a lot of other industries seeing slowdown/lay offs right now.

I’ve given up predicting whether or not we are going to experience a recession. On the one hand it seems everyone is doing layoffs and that a lot of people are struggling, on the other hand economic indicators seem to be strong. All of this with wars raging on throughout the world and a tremendous amount of uncertainty … so my short answer is: I have no idea.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Agreed. Broader environment is tough but it's not like these GPs aren't collecting mgmt fees to "keep the lights on." Layoffs are much more justified at banks and placement agents when they're relying on deal fees to pay their fixed costs. It's not like LLR is collecting fewer management fees this year...Bad look for sure. 

 

Facilis magni iure occaecati aut aut. Vel est dolorem voluptas delectus voluptatem vero. Voluptatibus et dolores omnis iusto officiis quod. Sint ratione qui beatae exercitationem sed. Nihil est itaque est tempora.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”