Top LA Private Equity Firms

1. Leonard Green

Leonard Green is the largest LA-based private equity firm. The Firm invests in established companies that lead their respective markets. Leonard Green will consider investments in consumer and business services, consumer products, distribution, media, and retail. The Firm targets transactions valued between $500 million and $2 billion, however, the firm is capable of closing transactions valued up to $5 billion. Types of transactions include public-to-private, recapitalizations of privately held businesses, growth capital, equity capital to facilitate acquisitions, turnarounds/restructurings, and acquisitions of divisions/assets from large corporations. Leonard Green was formed in 1989.

2. TCW / Crescent Mezzanine

TCW/Crescent Mezzanine is a provider of mezzanine capital to support leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations, project financings, and growth capital needs. The Firm considers investments across a wide spectrum of manufacturing and service industries. TCW's typical investment size is between $30 and $150 million in the form of subordinated debt, preferred stock, or minority common equity. TCW has the ability to commit up to $500 million in a single transaction. TCW's geographic range spans North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. The Firm avoids investing in real estate transactions, turnaround situations, and start-ups. TCW/Crescent Mezzanine was formed in 1991 and has offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Paris.

3. Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP) is a West Coast US-based private investment firm that targets mezzanine and other structured equity investments in middle-market companies. The Firm has several funds, each with different strategies. LLCP's larger fund targets subordinated debt, preferred equity, and/or common equity investments in companies with $100 to $750 million of revenue. The Firm's smaller fund invests $5 to $15 million in emerging companies with less than $50 million in revenue. LLCP also invests in financially distressed businesses. LLCP was formed in 1984 and has offices in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, and New York City.

4. Platinum Equity

Platinum Equity is a private equity firm focused on acquiring divestitures of larger public companies primarily in North America and Europe. Historically, Platinum targeted technology/software related businesses, however, the firm has since branched out beyond tech and will consider acquisitions in a broad range of industries including chemicals, communications, logistics, healthcare, automotive, industrial products and business services. Platinum Equity was formed in 1995 by Tom Gores and is based in Beverly Hills, California. The Firm has additional offices in New York City and London.

5. The Gores Group

The Gores Group is a private equity firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses. Gores considers investments across Europe and North America. Prospective companies typically have at least $30 million in revenue and are often non-core assets of public corporations. Gores is a generalist firm but has particular interest in technology, telecommunications, business services and industrial companies. Founder Alec Gores is the older brother of Tom Gores, founder of similarly modeled private equity firm Platinum Equity. The Gores Group was formed in 1987 and has offices in Los Angeles Boulder, and London.

6. Freeman Spogli

Freeman Spogli is a private investment firm focused on investments in retail, direct marketing and distribution companies located in the US. The Firm prefers partnering with management when pursuing acquisitions and acts as a hands-on investor throughout the entire investment. Freeman Spogli was formed in 1983 and is based in Los Angeles with an additional office in New York City.