Private Equity Firms in Milan

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity firms. With decades of industry leadership, it has established a strong track record of successful investments and deep sector expertise. Advent has invested in over 420 private equity transactions across 43 countries. The firm partners with management teams to accelerate growth through strategic support, operational improvement, and long-term vision alignment. With $94 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023, Advent primarily focuses on buyouts and growth equity investments across five key sectors, maintaining a flexible and globally integrated approach.

Ardian is a leading global private investment house headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in 1996 by Dominique Senequier as AXA Private Equity, the firm became independent in 2013 and rebranded as Ardian. Today, it is majority-owned by its employees, reflecting a commitment to long-term alignment with clients and stakeholders. With over $176 billion in assets under management or advisement, Ardian operates across private equity, real assets, and credit. Its private equity expertise includes buyouts, expansion capital, and secondaries, while its real assets portfolio encompasses infrastructure and real estate investments. Ardian also offers customized solutions tailored to institutional and private wealth clients. Ardian maintains a global presence with 19 offices across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, employing over 1,050 professionals. The firm's investment approach emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and value creation, aiming to support companies in achieving long-term growth and positive impact.

Astorg is a leading pan-European private equity firm founded in 1998, managing over €24 billion in assets. The firm partners with entrepreneurs and management teams to acquire market-leading global companies, providing strategic guidance, governance, and capital to achieve growth goals. Astorg operates with a distinct entrepreneurial culture, a long-term shareholder perspective, and a lean decision-making body. With offices in Luxembourg, London, Paris, New York, Milan, and Frankfurt, Astorg has valuable industry expertise in healthcare, software, technology, business services, and technology-based industrial companies. The firm's investment approach emphasizes the "art of listening," fostering genuine partnerships and uncovering value through respectful dialogue. Astorg's investment strategy focuses on mid-sized European companies, often family-owned, combining operational success with entrepreneurial drive. The firm specializes in leveraged build-ups, growth capital, family transmissions, mid-cap owner and leveraged buyouts, and corporate spin-offs. Astorg's commitment to sustainability and ESG principles is evident in its participation in industry initiatives like the ESG Data Convergence Project.

Bravo Invest is an independent private equity firm dedicated to supporting the growth and aggregation of small and medium enterprises in Italy. The firm focuses on investing in unique Italian companies, particularly those associated with the "Made in Italy" brand, which encompasses a range of sectors known for their quality and craftsmanship.Bravo Invest aims to partner with ambitious businesses that are poised for growth, providing them with the necessary capital and strategic support to reach their potential. The firm is committed to fostering innovation and enhancing the competitive edge of its portfolio companies in both domestic and international markets.With a successful track record in typical Made in Italy sectors, Bravo Invest seeks to create long-term value through its investments. The firm operates from its office in Milan, Italy, and is structured to maintain independence, allowing it to make decisions that align with the best interests of its partners and stakeholders.

Buono Ventures is a family office platform based in Milan, Italy, operating with both an advisory and a private equity investment arm. The firm's mission is to identify sustainable listed and private investments that offer a long-term horizon and a robust risk-return profile. Their investment approach encompasses direct minority investments, direct active investments with a governance role, and strategic commitments to private equity, private debt, and secondary funds. Buono Ventures actively seeks opportunities in profit-making companies with attractive growth profiles, often participating in third-party promoted club deals.The firm was founded in 2018 by Francesco de Mojana di Cologna. After a distinguished career, including a partnership at Permira, Francesco de Mojana di Cologna established Buono Ventures as a family office platform. His vision was to create an investment vehicle with an active presence across Southern Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Israel, leveraging his extensive experience of over three decades in diverse sectors and geographical areas.Buono Ventures demonstrates a keen interest in sectors such as consumer, sports and leisure, business services, healthcare, food service, and real estate. Their portfolio includes notable investments like Healthy Poke, a company within the Restaurants and Bars industry, and K Health, a recognized HealthTech unicorn. Additionally, the firm was an investor in Hippocrates Holding, which was subsequently acquired. Buono Ventures typically deploys investment tickets ranging from €3-5 million, frequently collaborating with entrepreneurs and other club deal investors rather than pursuing fully controlling stakes.The leadership of Buono Ventures is anchored by its founder, Francesco de Mojana di Cologna, an Italian investor with a strong background in private equity, holding degrees from Bocconi University and Columbia Business School. The firm also plays a role in the Buono Investment Club (BIC), a club deal platform co-founded by Francesco De Mojana alongside other former Permira professionals such as Carlos Mallo, Nicola Volpi, and Antonio Zaccheo. This collaborative network brings together a wealth of international expertise and experience from senior leaders in various industries, enhancing the firm's ability to support portfolio companies and entrepreneurs.

Cenciarini & Co. is a hybrid merchant and investment banking firm that combines venture investing with strategic financial advisory services. The firm focuses on unlocking long-term value by backing early-stage founders with capital, insights, and long-term support, and by providing tailored financial advisory for growth, transition, and strategic deals. Their investment focus has evolved to include technology ventures, with a particular emphasis on the emerging space economy and deep tech, as well as industrial IoT and generative AI solutions.The firm was founded in 1998 by Professor Renzo A. Cenciarini, who brought together his academic background from Bocconi University and Harvard Business School with his entrepreneurial experience. Initially, Cenciarini & Co. focused on selective equity investments in telecom carve-outs and high-level advisory in corporate restructuring, valuation, and strategic transitions. Over the years, it expanded its reputation as a trusted financial advisor in M&A and capital raising, and later shifted to a hybrid model, pairing investment banking with direct equity investments in early-stage ventures, often originating from Bocconi University.Cenciarini & Co. has a growing global portfolio of early-stage investments. Notable portfolio companies include U-Care Medical, Ca' Zampa, Involve, 40Factory, Involve Space, Startup Wise Guys, and BluVet, among others. The firm has participated in various funding rounds, such as the seed and Series A rounds for 40Factory, a scale-up specializing in Industrial IoT and AI-powered solutions.The team at Cenciarini & Co. leverages deep financial expertise and an extensive network to support fundraising and long-term growth. They are committed to nurturing entrepreneurs, building strong teams, and using capital as a lever for long-term value creation, emphasizing the human dimension as a true driver of success. The firm has advised or managed over €500 million in transactions.

EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization founded in 1994 in Stockholm, Sweden. With a Nordic heritage and a global mindset, EQT focuses on active ownership strategies, responsibly investing in, owning, and developing companies and real assets. EQT invests across multiple geographies, sectors, and strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. The firm aims to future-proof companies and make a positive impact for all stakeholders. As of 2025, EQT manages approximately €273 billion in assets under management (AUM), with a team of over 1,500 employees operating from offices across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.

Gisev Family Office operates as an independent multi-family office, established to provide integrated wealth planning and strategic consulting services. The firm focuses on ensuring the continuity of both material and immaterial assets across multiple generations for its client families. They engage in private equity investments, aiming to deliver evergreen growth capital for their portfolios.The firm was initially established in 2014 by Mario Germano, Giammaria Giuliani, and Achille Severginini. It began as a private wealth management vehicle for their respective families, both of which possess deep-rooted histories in the financial and biotechnology sectors. Following its inception, the Giuliani and Severginini families opted to extend their comprehensive wealth management services to other families, growing its client base.Gisev Family Office has made several notable investments across diverse sectors. Their portfolio includes companies such as Syocin, Shampora, and Seed, with investments spanning Crop Tech, Genomics, and Nutraceuticals Tech. The firm's most recent investment was a Seed round in Syocin in March 2022. Additionally, Gisev Family Office participated in a Series B funding round in June 2020 for CUTISS, a biotechnology company specializing in personalized skin graft technologies for patients with extensive skin defects.The firm's team comprises approximately 40 internal professionals dedicated to managing and advising client families. While specific individual team expertise beyond the founders' backgrounds in finance and biotechnology is not extensively detailed, their multi-generational approach underscores a commitment to long-term wealth preservation and growth through a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and traditional advisory services.

H14 S.p.A. is an Italian family office based in Milan, serving as a qualified shareholder of Fininvest S.p.A., a prominent European media group. The firm manages a diversified global portfolio, strategically investing across various asset classes. H14 is known for its long-term partnership approach, particularly in supporting digital entrepreneurs and companies to facilitate their business expansion throughout Europe by leveraging its extensive strategic network.Established in 1978, H14 operates as the family office for the Berlusconi family, with Luigi Berlusconi serving as chairman and holding a significant stake alongside his siblings Barbara and Eleonora Berlusconi. The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes direct investments in venture and growth capital, private equity funds, hedge funds, and broader capital markets. This multi-asset strategy allows H14 to engage with a wide array of opportunities across different stages of company development.H14's investment focus spans several key sectors, including technology, financial services, consumer, media, healthcare, education, industrials, and transportation. Notable companies within its portfolio include digital platforms like FlixMobility, Tradeshift, wefox, ContentSquare, Sennder, Deliveroo, and Duetto. The firm has also invested in innovative ventures such as the German pharmaceutical auditing firm Qualifyze, Italian tech company Bending Spoons, German fintech Trade Republic, and the French online driving school Ornikar. Recent investments also include E80 Group, a provider of automated intralogistic solutions, and Università UniCamillus, an Italian private university specializing in health and medical sciences.The team at H14 comprises experienced professionals, including partners like Luigi Berlusconi, Barbara Berlusconi, Emanuela Di Domizio, Davide I Cremonesi, Geronimo La Russa, and Fabio Borio, along with several principals. Their collective expertise supports the firm's global investment strategy, which primarily targets North America and Europe, with opportunistic ventures into emerging markets. H14 actively co-invests with other family offices and institutional investors, demonstrating a collaborative approach to fostering growth in its portfolio companies.

Hayfin Capital Management LLP, founded in 2009, is a premier European alternative asset management platform specializing in providing critical debt, equity, and hybrid capital solutions tailored to meet diverse financing needs for corporates—including both sponsor-backed and non-sponsor entities—as well as real asset owners. The firm employs a value-investing approach across multiple strategies including Direct Lending, Special Opportunities, High-Yield Credit, Securitized Credit, and Private Equity Funds.Headquartered in London, Hayfin has expanded its global footprint with 13 offices spanning Europe, the United States, and a growing presence in Asia. Since inception, Hayfin has invested over €50 billion of capital across more than 500 portfolio companies, managing approximately €35 billion in assets under management. The firm’s investment philosophy combines deep market expertise, disciplined risk management, and a commitment to responsible investing, as evidenced by its signatory status to the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI).Hayfin’s management team, including co-founders Tim Flynn (CEO) and Mark Tognolini (COO), emphasizes long-term partnership with clients and investors, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Intermediate Capital Group plc (ICG), founded in 1989 and headquartered in London, UK, is a global alternative asset manager providing private debt, structured capital, private equity secondaries, credit, and real assets solutions. With over three decades of experience, ICG manages approximately US $123 billion in assets across institutional client mandates and proprietary strategies. ICG serves a diverse set of investors by offering flexible capital across the capital structure—from structured loans and mezzanine finance to real assets financing and secondary private equity solutions. Its global footprint and sector-hybrid platform enable it to source local opportunities, partner with founders, owners, and sponsors, and deliver sustainable value. With 686 employees operating across 21 locations worldwide, ICG combines centralized leadership from London and regional expertise in major markets throughout North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East to execute disciplined, long-term client-driven solutions.

Lombard Odier is an independent Swiss banking group with a rich history dating back to 1796. The firm operates as a global wealth and asset manager, serving both private and institutional clients. Their core offerings encompass private banking, comprehensive wealth management, and sophisticated asset management solutions. A distinctive aspect of Lombard Odier's approach is its strong emphasis on sustainable investing, aiming to align client objectives with positive environmental and social outcomes.Founded in Geneva, Switzerland, Lombard Odier has maintained its independence through a unique partnership model, where the firm is wholly owned and managed by its Senior Managing Partners. This structure fosters a long-term perspective and a client-centric approach, allowing for stability and continuity across generations. The firm has consistently evolved, integrating cutting-edge banking technology not only for its own operations but also offering these solutions to other financial institutions.While Lombard Odier focuses on a broad range of traditional and alternative investments, specific notable investments or portfolio companies are not publicly highlighted in the provided information, as their primary business revolves around managing client wealth and assets rather than direct venture capital investments in specific startups. Their investment strategies span various asset classes, including private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources, often with a sustainable lens.The team at Lombard Odier comprises experienced professionals across wealth management, asset management, and technology. The firm emphasizes a culture of excellence, innovation, respect, integrity, and teamwork. With a global presence across more than 25 offices in 19 jurisdictions, their experts provide local expertise combined with an international outlook, ensuring tailored solutions and a deep understanding of diverse market dynamics for their discerning clientele.

Founded in 2005, Montefiore Investment has established itself as a premier private equity firm focused on supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-market service companies primarily in France and Europe. The firm partners with ambitious entrepreneurs, managers, and shareholders to drive profitable and sustainable growth through equity transactions and strategic guidance. Montefiore emphasizes a dual strategy of Focus and Growth, concentrating on service sectors and ambitious expansion projects both domestically and internationally. Montefiore Investment manages over €4-5 billion in assets and has a strong track record of portfolio companies growing at an average rate exceeding 15% annually, regardless of economic conditions. The firm operates offices in Paris, Milan, and Madrid, and is recognized for its long-term performance and trusted relationships with top-tier French and international investors. Its team of over 50 professionals collaborates closely with management teams to scale companies from local players into European sector leaders. The firm’s investment philosophy is deeply rooted in shared values, sustainability, and a commitment to building medium-sized champions in the service industry. Montefiore’s approach balances rapid results with long-term vision, emphasizing strategic decisions that create value for entrepreneurs, employees, and stakeholders.

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, is a publicly traded industrial holding and private equity investor specializing in carve‑outs and turnaround situations. The firm targets medium‑sized companies with revenues typically between €50 million and €750 million, aiming to leverage operational transformation to drive long‑term growth. Organized into four segments—Automotive & Mobility, Engineering & Technology, Goods & Services, and Retail & Food—Mutares actively develops and restructures its portfolio through hands‑on management and dedicated in‑house teams. As of December 31, 2024, it holds 32 operating investments globally, employing over 29,000 people and generating consolidated revenue of approximately €4.72 billion. Governed under a dual‑board structure in Munich, Mutares emphasizes strong corporate governance, ESG principles, and sustainable shareholder value—paying annual dividends and maintaining transparent reporting through quarterly updates and non‑financial disclosures.

Natixis Investment Managers is one of the world’s largest asset management firms, known for its multi-affiliate model that provides access to over 15 independent investment managers. This decentralized structure enables a broad array of active investment strategies, including equities, fixed income, multi-asset, private assets, and ESG solutions tailored to client-specific needs. Headquartered in Paris with offices in more than 25 countries, Natixis Investment Managers oversees approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. It serves a diverse clientele including institutional investors, fund managers, corporations, and private individuals. The firm is part of Groupe BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France, offering it a strong financial foundation and global reach. Dedicated to responsible investing, Natixis promotes sustainability through its affiliates such as Mirova and Ostrum Asset Management, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into their investment processes. This commitment supports long-term value creation and contributes positively to global economic and social development.

Founded in 1939, Neuberger Berman is a private, independent, and employee-owned investment management firm headquartered in New York City. With a commitment to active management and long-term client partnerships, the firm offers a broad range of investment strategies, including equities, fixed income, private equity, hedge funds, and multi-asset solutions. Neuberger Berman serves a diverse clientele comprising institutions, advisors, and high-net-worth individuals globally. The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes fundamental research and a client-centric approach. Its private equity division, NB Private Markets, has a team of over 300 professionals across 17 offices worldwide, focusing on co-investments, secondaries, and direct investments. In 2025, Neuberger Berman closed its NB Strategic Capital Fund II with over $4 billion in commitments, underscoring its leadership in GP-led secondary transactions. Operating from offices in 39 cities across 26 countries, Neuberger Berman's global presence enables it to access a wide array of investment opportunities. The firm's dedication to sustainability is evident through its commitment to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. With a workforce of approximately 3,100 employees, Neuberger Berman continues to prioritize delivering superior investment outcomes for its clients.

Oakley Capital, founded in 2002 by Peter Dubens and headquartered in London, is a pan‑European private equity firm specializing in growth capital and buy‑and‑build strategies. The firm focuses on founder‑ or management‑led businesses in sectors such as Technology, Consumer, Education and Business Services, often through complex carve‑outs and secondary transactions. Oakley supports long‑term value creation via operational guidance and entrepreneurial partnerships. With over €8 billion in assets under management and more than 150 investment professionals, Oakley has completed over 150 transactions in 11+ countries across Western Europe. Its strategy emphasizes sourcing off‑market deals and executing proprietary growth strategies tailored to each business. Oakley operates through multiple regulated entities in Luxembourg and the UK, maintaining offices in London (HQ), Munich and Milan. The firm actively champions sustainable growth, responsible investment frameworks and founder‑led value creation across its portfolios.

PAI Partners is a leading European private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and long-term industrial transformations. The firm partners with management teams to drive operational improvement, strategic repositioning, international expansion, and ESG integration. With a strong on-the-ground presence through offices in key financial hubs, PAI manages a diverse portfolio of mid-to-large-sized companies across several high-potential sectors. Originally established in 1872 as “Paribas Affaires Industrielles,” the firm became an independent private equity entity in the late 1990s. Since then, PAI has raised multiple institutional funds and built a track record of generating strong returns through majority investments in market-leading businesses. Its strategy is focused on value creation through consolidation, digitalization, operational excellence, and long-term growth acceleration. PAI currently manages several flagship and mid-market funds, including its latest fund (PAI Europe VIII), which raised approximately €7.1 billion. With over 180 professionals, the firm operates from offices in Paris, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Luxembourg, Stockholm, and New York. Its investor base includes pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign funds, and family offices from across the globe.

Permira is a leading global investment firm founded in 1985, originally known as Schroder Ventures before rebranding in 2001. Headquartered in London, the firm operates 16 offices across Europe, North America, and Asia, employing more than 650 professionals. Permira specializes in private equity and credit, focusing on long-term value creation through strategic partnerships with management teams. With assets under management exceeding $85 billion, Permira invests in five core sectors: Technology, Consumer, Healthcare, Services, and Climate. The firm’s growth-oriented, thematic investment approach supports companies with high potential for innovation and expansion. Its diverse portfolio includes businesses in software, cybersecurity, branded consumer goods, and healthcare services. Permira emphasizes responsible investment and sustainable growth. The firm works closely with its portfolio companies to implement operational improvements and strategic initiatives. Through its credit platform, Permira also offers flexible financing solutions, including direct lending and structured credit, tailored to support evolving business needs globally.

Perwyn is a family‑backed private and growth equity firm, founded in 2013 and based in London, with offices in Paris, Geneva and Milan. Operated from an evergreen capital base, it offers flexibility beyond traditional fund‑raising cycles to actively support founders and management teams in scaling and structural transformation. Perwyn invests in established, cash‑generative mid‑market companies (EV £/€100–500 M) via buy‑outs or growth capital, as well as earlier minority rounds (£5–50 M). The firm focuses across four core sectors—Technology & Services, Healthcare, Food & Ingredients, and general Consumer & Business Services—partnering on bespoke strategic plans and supporting follow‑on M&A. With a focussed team of ~30 professionals and decades of collective experience, Perwyn takes a high‑engagement approach. They seek a limited number of significant investments yearly across Europe, aiming to be first or second institutional investor and driving long‑term value through tailored operational and strategic support.