Private Equity Wire US Awards 2025

Whether it’s fundraising, portfolio performance, liquidity or innovation, Private Equity Wire® has been rewarding the most effective propositions in private markets for more than a decade – building one of the industry’s most coveted and influential awards programmes.

This year, we're bringing all our US awards together into one, stellar evening of celebration and networking.

Don't miss out on our only North American awards of the year!

Our winners are chosen by a board of allocators and managers, who select from a shortlist assembled by our editorial and research team – using a range of proprietary and third-party data sources.

On the night, which follows our flagship Private Capital US Summit 2025, we're expecting an exclusive gathering of C-suite leaders from the GP, LP, and service provider communities.

For Investors

Meet the managers outperforming across a range of AUM brackets, investment strategies and geographies.

For Managers

Put yourself on the radar of engaged investors and meet service providers that can help your business grow and scale up effectively.

For Service Providers

Your chance to shine in front of the entire investor and manager community, while also tracking which firms and strategies are on the up.

Pre-selection data for the awards is provided by multiple data sources, based on annualised returns over the 12 months from April 1st – March 31st, 2024, by funds in the below categories

1. The manager award categories include N American-based single-manager and multi-manager funds with a track record of more than 3 years.

2. Nominations for all categories are based on performance numbers being reported during the last 12-month period from April 1st – March 31st, 2024.

3. Final performance awards are based on the highest performing net IRRs and money multiple returns based on the latest available data to March 31st, 2024.

Managers will only be considered for selection if they report performance data to popular industry data sources. To find out more about this process, please contact: events@privateequitywire.com.

For all the key constituents in the private equity industry – GPs, LPs, and service providers – the Private Equity Wire® US Awards provide a unique annual insight as to the most highly-regarded and successful fund managers and service providers. Based on voting from within the industry itself, the results help you to make decisions and choices that can add value to your own business.

For Investors

Knowing which GP managers have outperformed in different types of investment strategies – and which service providers are rated most highly in various areas – is essential for investors. Help us to understand which firms have impressed you most.

For Managers

Identifying, and working with, the best-in-class service providers across a broad spectrum of activities and products is a key ingredient to the success of any private capital investment firm. Tell us which counter parties you rate most highly – and why.

For Service Providers

Understanding which GP fund managers are strongest in which sectors, and how the competition stacks up in your own areas of expertise, gives you vital business insight. Play your part in enabling us to identify who deserves recognition.

ACCOUNTING & FUND REPORTING

ADVISORY

- Advisory Firm of the Year: ESG

This winning ESG firm will go above and beyond to help their clients integrate ESG into their operations and decision-making. Through strategic or transactional support, this service provider will be integral in helping clients achieve their sustainability goals and meet investor demands.

- Newcomer of the Year: Advisory

This award recognises a new entrant in advisory firms that has demonstrated private market expertise, early success in client attraction and retention, and a capacity for innovation and scalability.

AUDIT

- Audit Firm of the Year: Start-up

The winning start-up audit firm in this category will be able to prove excellent customer satisfaction in the period under review. Consider case exampes of intitiatives that led to an exceptionally positive client impact.

- Audit Firm of the Year: Middle Market

The winning middle-market audit firm in this category will be able to prove excellent customer satisfaction in the period under review. Consider case exampes of intitiatives that led to an exceptionally positive client impact.

- Audit Firm of the Year: Overall

The winning overall audit firm in this category will be able to prove excellent customer satisfaction in the period under review. Consider case exampes of intitiatives that led to an exceptionally positive client impact. To be considered overall winner of this category, service providers should deal with funds that are 5+ years old and with an AUM of over $1billion.

BANKING & FINANCE

BLOCKCHAIN & LIQUIDITY

COMPLIANCE & REGULATION

- Compliance Service of the Year: Fund Domicile

The winning service provider will be able to show expertise in navigating the complex regulatory landscapes – within their own jurisdictions and others – giving fund managers a clear understanding of opportunities and limitations.

- Compliance Service of the Year: Overall

As the private equity landscape expands and diverisifies, and new regulations come into considerdation, fund managers rely on this service to ensure their growth strategies remain scalable and compliant. The winning service provider will be able to show expertise in this field.

- Regulatory & Compliance Firm of the Year

This winning firm will be an expert in regulatory compliance, providing essential guidance to navigate complex regulations within relevant jurisdictions.

- Regulatory & Compliance Technology of the Year

This winning technology solution simplifies regulatory compliance, providing efficient, reliable tools to meet evolving requirements.

CYBER SECURITY & CLOUD

- Cyber Security Solution of the Year

With cyberattacks becoming ever more sophisticated, the winning service provider in this category will be exceptional in risk detection and management. This firm will have a variety of market leading approaches to safeguard their clients from data breaches.

- Cloud Services Provider of the Year

The winning CSP should understand the needs and challenges of fund managers. Entrants should consider outlining their infrastructure's security and reliability. What features and services do you provide that set you apart from your competitors?

DATA MANAGEMENT

DATA PROVISION

- Data Provider of the Year: ESG

The winning entrant will be able to demonstrate their ability to manage the vast amounts of data in the ESG universe, and streamline the process to reduce the burden on managers and portfolio companies, while staying focused on the metrics that matter most.

- Data Provider of the Year: Credit

This winning service will excel in data management. Fund managers will be provided with a streamlined service that reduces the complexity involved in managing large volumes of credit data.

- Data Provider of the Year: Overall

This winning firm provides a platform that arms its clients with intelligence in a speedy and effective way. Entrants should provide information on what data type their organisation offers, and how this adds more value to fund managers than its competitors.

DEAL & INVESTMENT

- Deal Advisory Firm of the Year

The winning service provider will be able to show how its platform aids in helping clients make well informed investment decisions, whether this be through assessment, optimisation or evaluation of the market.

- Deal Origination Solution of the Year: Credit

Deal origination solutions are integral in generating leads for potential buyers, particularly in an increasingly competitive market. The winning solution will streamline the research and origination process and give managers access to high-value deals.

- Deal Origination of the Year: Technology

ESG & IMPACT INVESTING

- Solution Provider of the Year: ESG

This category recognises a solution provider that offers innovative ESG-focused services, empowering clients to achieve their sustainability goals and meet investor demands.

- Solution Provider of the Year: ESG (client services)

This category recognises a solution provider that offers innovative ESG-focused services, empowering clients to achieve their sustainability goals and meet investor demands.

- Technology Innovation of the Year: ESG & Impact Investing

This award recognises technology-driven solutions that enable firms to identify, measure, monitor and/or integrate sustainability and ESG factors effectively within their investment strategies.

EXECUTIVE SEARCH & RECRUITMENT

- Executive Search Firm of the Year

This winning firm will show success in delivering top-tier talent solutions that align with client growth and leadership needs across the financial industry.

- Recruitment Company of the Year: Investor Relations & Asset Raising

This award celebrates a recruitment firm’s ability to source top talent in investor relations and capital raising, supporting client growth and capital initiatives.

- Recruitment Company of the Year: Operations & Finance

This award recognises a recruitment firm’s success in securing top talent for operational and financial roles, driving client efficiency and growth.

FOREX & INVESTMENT

FUND ADMINISTRATION

- Fund Accounting & Reporting Software of the Year

This winning software solution will go to the firm that enhances accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in fund accounting and reporting processes for investment firms.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Client Services

This award will recognise a fund administrator's ability to go beyond its stock suite of services and cater to the unique needs and demands of firms across its client base, irrespective of size and strategy, consistently innovating and improving its offering in the process.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: ESG

The winning entrant will be able to demonstrate their ability to manage the intensifying expectations in the ESG universe, and streamline the process to reduce the burden on managers and portfolio companies, while staying focused on the metrics that matter most.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: GP's under $30billion

This award will recognise fund administrator’s ability to effectively service and scale with general partners managing portfolios under $30 billion.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: GP's over $30billion

This award will recognise fund administrator’s ability to effectively service and scale with large general partners managing portfolios exceeding $30billion.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Private Credit

This category will reward expertise and performance in servicing private credit funds, with an emphasis on accuracy, transparency, and client satisfaction.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Technology

The winning service provider in this category will be able to showcase that it's cutting-edge technology has streamlined operations, enhanced transparency, and supported overall client success.

- Newcomer of the Year: Fund Adminstrator

This award recognises a new entrant in fund adminstration that has demonstrated private market expertise, early success in client attraction and retention, and a capacity for innovation and scalability.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Overall

This award is open to fund administrators of any size. Entrants should show outstanding performance, demonstrating best-in-class services, scalability, and innovation across a broad range of client needs.

FUND OPERATIONS

FUNDRAISING & INVESTOR RELATIONS

INNOVATION & EMERGING SOLUTIONS

INSURANCE & RISK

LEGAL SERVICES

- Law Firm of the Year: Client Services

This award recognises a provider of legal services that not only demonstrates in-depth industry expertise, but goes the extra mile to customise its solutions for a diverse suite of clients, while pursuing steady improvement in the client experience through innovation.

- Law Firm of the Year: Fund Domicile

This award will celebrate a law firm’s expertise in fund domicile selection, providing legal guidance that optimises jurisdictional benefits for clients.

- Law Firm of the Year: Fund Structuring

The winning law firm in this category will have proven excellence in fund structuring, helping clients navigate legal complexities to establish efficient, compliant fund structures.

- Law Firm of the Year: Lending and Securities

This award will celebrate a law firm’s expertise in lending and securities law. The winner will have proven critical guidance in navigating complex financial regulations.

- Law Firm of the Year: Transactions

The winning law firm in this category will show success in handling transactions, providing expert legal support to facilitate deal-making and transaction integrity.

- Newcomer of the Year: Law Firm

This award recognises a new entrant in legal services that has demonstrated private market expertise, early success in client attraction and retention, and a capacity for innovation and scalability.

- Law Firm of the Year: Overall

This award will celebrate the law firm that demonstrates excellence across various legal service areas. Entrants should show proven support of investment firms and comprehensive legal expertise.

MANAGED & MIDDLE OFFICE

PLACEMENT & PORTFOLIO SELECTION

PR & COMMUNICATION

RATINGS & VALUATIONS

- Ratings Provider of the Year: ESG

The winning service provider will be able to show excellence in delivering accurate, comprehensive ESG evaluations that empower clients to make responsible, impact-driven investment decisions.

- Ratings Provider of the Year

This award recognises a ratings provider’s excellence in delivering accurate and impactful ratings that support informed investment decisions across various sectors.

- Valuation Service of the Year

This award recognises excellence in delivering accurate, transparent valuations that support client decision-making and compliance.

RESEARCH & INTELLIGENCE

SECONDARIES

TAX & FINANCIAL ADVISORY

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

- Secure Workflow Management Provider of the Year

This category will reward a service provider’s ability to deliver secure workflow management solutions, enhancing operational security and compliance.

- Solution Provider of the Year: AI & Data Analytics for Deal Sourcing

The winning solution will demonstrate the ability to leverage AI and data analytics to scan and process the deal universe to identify opportunities that fit a firm's investment strategy and requirements.

- Technology Advisory Firm of the Year

This category will recognise a firm’s ability to provide strategic technology guidance, helping clients navigate digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency.

- Technology Innovation of the Year: AI

The winning solution will demonstrate the capacity to solve some of the prevalent challenges when it comes to the use of AI in private markets, enabling better scale, efficiency, risk management and/or other functions.

- Technology Innovation of the Year: Client Services

This category rewards breakthrough technology that drives impactful change in the industry, demonstrating exceptional innovation and client value.

- Technology Innovation of the Year: Firm Operations

This award celebrates a solution that has enabled firms to optimise their technology stack, to ensure that systems are well-integrated and user-friendly, enabling significant time, resource and cost efficiencies.

- Newcomer of the Year: Technology

This award recognises a new entrant in Technology & Innovation that has demonstrated private market expertise, early success in client attraction and retention, and a capacity for innovation and scalability.

- Technology Innovation of the Year: Overall

This category rewards breakthrough technology that drives impactful change in the industry, demonstrating exceptional innovation and client value.

Please provide a brief overview of your business (up to 100 words) and a compelling case in 250 words or fewer on why your service deserves an award for the period from March 2024 to March 2025.

You may also include a client testimonial to support your entry—this is optional but encouraged.

Additionally, there’s an option to upload any supporting documents that might strengthen your submission.

Our in-house judging panel will select the finalists who will then go to public vote. The overall winner will be determined based on popularity and quality of submission.

These awards are free to enter and Entries close Friday 18th July 2025

Entries for all Manager categories are based on annualised performance over a 12-month period from April 1st 2024 – March 31st, 2025.

The entry deadline is Friday 18th July and the Awards are free to enter.

The below categories are open to funds primarily domiciled in either the United States or Canada.

Pre-selection data for the awards is provided by multiple data sources, based on annualised returns over the 12 months from April 1st – March 31st, 2025, by funds in the below categories:

The manager award categories include North American-based single-manager and multi-manager funds with a track record of more than 3 years.

(Performance categories only)

1. Nominations for all categories are based on performance numbers being reported during the last 12-month period from April 1st – March 31st, 2025.

2. Final performance awards are based on the highest performing net IRRs and money multiple returns based on the latest available data to March 31st, 2025.

3. The fund must have called at least 50% of capital

4. Closed fund and either investing or harvesting capital

Entries for all Emerging Manager categories are based on annualised performance over a 12-month period from April 1st 2024 – March 31st, 2025.

To qualify for this category, managers must fit the following criteria:

(Performance categories only)
1. Have raised no more than 3 funds in the series/range

2. Management firm be less than 5 years old

3. The fund must have called at least 50% of capital

4. Closed fund and either investing or harvesting capital

Entry deadline: Friday 18th July 2025

CAPITAL RAISE

- Capital Raise of the Year: Buyout

Funds acquire controlling stakes in established companies, aiming to enhance their value through operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Co-invest

Funds investing directly alongside other private equity funds in specific deals.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Debt Fund

Funds provide loans to companies, often in the form of direct lending. These loans are typically senior secured debt. Private debt serves as an alternative to traditional bank financing, especially for middle-market companies.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Fund of Funds

Funds investing in a portfolio of other private equity funds rather than directly in companies.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Growth

Funds investing in established companies seeking capital to expand operations, enter new markets, or finance significant acquisitions.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Real Estate

Funds investing in real estate assets, aiming to generate returns through property acquisition, development, and management. These funds may focus on various strategies, including core, value-add, and opportunistic investments.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Secondaries

Funds that purchase existing stakes in private equity funds or portfolios from current investors seeking liquidity.

- Capital Raise of the Year: Venture Capital

Funds investing in early-stage startups, from seed to Series A, with high growth potential.

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Buyout

Funds acquire controlling stakes in established companies, aiming to enhance their value through operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Co-invest

Funds investing directly alongside other private equity funds in specific deals.

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Growth

Funds investing in established companies seeking capital to expand operations, enter new markets, or finance significant acquisitions.

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Debt Fund

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Fund of Funds

Funds investing in a portfolio of other private equity funds rather than directly in companies.

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Real Estate

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Secondaries

Funds that purchase existing stakes in private equity funds or portfolios from current investors seeking liquidity.

- Emerging Fundraising of the Year: Venture Capital

Funds investing in early-stage startups, from seed to Series A, with high growth potential.

OVER $500MILLION

Entries for all Manager categories are based on annualised performance over a 12-month period from April 1st 2024 – March 31st, 2025

- Performance of the Year: Direct Lending over $500million

Funds offering loans directly to middle-market companies, bypassing traditional banks. These funds typically may provide senior secured loans.

- Performance of the Year: Distressed Debt over $500million

Funds investing in the debt securities of companies experiencing financial distress, default, or bankruptcy.

- Performance of the Year: Mezzanine Debt over $500million

Funds investing in subordinated loans that sit between senior debt and equity in a company's capital structure.

- Performance of the Year: RE Debt over $500million

Funds investing in loans secured by real estate assets. These funds may invest in various loan types, including senior secured loans, mezzanine loans, or preferred equity.

- Performance of the Year: Buyout over $500million

Funds acquire controlling stakes in established companies, aiming to enhance their value through operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

- Performance of the Year: Co-invest over $500million

Funds investing directly alongside other private equity funds in specific deals.

- Performance of the Year: Growth over $500million

Funds investing in established companies seeking capital to expand operations, enter new markets, or finance significant acquisitions.

- Performance of the Year: Real Estate over $500million

- Performance of the Year: Secondaries over $500million

Funds that purchase existing stakes in private equity funds or portfolios from current investors seeking liquidity.

- Performance of the Year: Turnaround over $500million

Funds investing in struggling or distressed companies with the goal of improving their performance and increasing their value through operational, financial, and strategic restructuring.

- Performance of the Year: Venture Capital over $500million

Funds investing in early-stage startups, from seed to Series A, with high growth potential.

- Performance of the Year: Funds of Funds over $500million

Funds investing in a portfolio of other private equity funds rather than directly in companies.

UNDER $500MILLION

Entries for all Manager categories are based on annualised performance over a 12-month period from April 1st 2024 – March 31st, 2025

- Performance of the Year: Direct Lending under $500million

Funds offering loans directly to middle-market companies, bypassing traditional banks. These funds typically may provide senior secured loans.

- Performance of the Year: Distressed Debt under $500million

Funds investing in the debt securities of companies experiencing financial distress, default, or bankruptcy.

- Performance of the Year: Mezzanine Debt under $500million

Funds investing in subordinated loans that sit between senior debt and equity in a company's capital structure.

- Performance of the Year: RE Debt under $500million

Funds investing in loans secured by real estate assets. These funds may invest in various loan types, including senior secured loans, mezzanine loans, or preferred equity.

- Performance of the Year: VC Debt under $500million

Funds investing in venture capital debt provide loans or credit facilities to early- and growth-stage startups, enabling them to access capital without giving up equity. These funds offer investors exposure to the innovation economy with the potential for steady, fixed-income-like returns, while supporting startups through non-dilutive financing.

- Performance of the Year: Buyout under $500million

Funds acquire controlling stakes in established companies, aiming to enhance their value through operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

- Performance of the Year: Co-Invest under $500million

Funds investing directly alongside other private equity funds in specific deals.

- Performance of the Year: Growth under $500million

Funds investing in established companies seeking capital to expand operations, enter new markets, or finance significant acquisitions.

- Performance of the Year: Real Estate Under $500million

- Performance of the Year: Secondaries under $500million

Funds that purchase existing stakes in private equity funds or portfolios from current investors seeking liquidity.

- Performance of the Year: Turnaround under $500million

Fund investing in struggling or distressed companies with the goal of improving their performance and increasing their value through operational, financial, and strategic restructuring.

- Performance of the Year: Venture Capital under $500million

Funds investing in early-stage startups, from seed to Series A, with high growth potential.

- Performance of the Year: Funds of Funds under $500million

Funds investing in a portfolio of other private equity funds rather than directly in companies.

EMERGING

Entries for all Emerging Manager categories are based on annualised performance over a 12-month period from April 1st 2024 – March 31st, 2025.

To qualify for this category, managers must fit the following criteria:

1. Have raised no more than 3 funds in the series/range

2. Management firm be less than 5 years old

3. The fund must have called at least 50% of capital

4. Closed fund and either investing or harvesting capital

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Buyout

Funds acquire controlling stakes in established companies, aiming to enhance their value through operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Co-invest

Funds investing directly alongside other private equity funds in specific deals.

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Growth

Funds investing in established companies seeking capital to expand operations, enter new markets, or finance significant acquisitions.

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Real Estate

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Secondaries

Funds that purchase existing stakes in private equity funds or portfolios from current investors seeking liquidity.

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Turnaround

Fund investing in struggling or distressed companies with the goal of improving their performance and increasing their value through operational, financial, and strategic restructuring.

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Venture Capital

Funds investing in early-stage startups, from seed to Series A, with high growth potential.