Top Private Equity Firms in California

California is one of the nation’s most active private equity hubs, home to global giants, middle-market specialists, and founder-led investment firms from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

With deep ties to Silicon Valley and a culture of innovation, California private equity firms play a key role in funding digital transformation, acquisitions, and expansion.

More than capital providers, these firms serve as trusted partners to management teams and shareholders.

Their flexible capital solutions, collaborative approach, and focus on long-term value creation have driven success across sectors such as technology, healthcare, consumer goods, and business services.

1. Hellman & Friedman

Founded in 1984 and originating from San Francisco, Hellman & Friedman is one of the most recognized names in private equity. This global investment firm focuses on companies in software, healthcare, and financial services.

With billions in AUM, the team focuses on large-scale buyouts and acquisitions, often partnering with management to create long-term shareholder value. Its collaborative approach and history of successful M&A deals have placed it consistently high in private equity ranking tables.

2. Silver Lake

Silver Lake Technology Management, operating out of Menlo Park, is a global investment firm founded in 1999. Specializing in technology and software, Silver Lake has become a leader in California private equity, acquiring stakes in companies such as Airbnb, Dell, and Twitter.

The firm focuses on companies undergoing digital transformation, offering flexible capital solutions and operational expertise. With an evergreen reputation in Silicon Valley, Silver Lake is both a trusted partner to founders and a top advisor in high-profile acquisition strategies.

3. Vista Equity Partners

With offices in San Francisco, Vista Equity Partners is a leading California private equity investment company that specializes exclusively in software and technology companies. Since its founding in 2000, Vista has raised private equity and credit funds that acquire and invest in companies across a range of digital platforms and services businesses.

Vista’s collaborative approach is reinforced by its Vista Consulting Group, which provides value-added operational improvements. With one of the strongest track records in California, Vista has become a global private equity firm focused on accelerating growth through digital transformation.

4. Leonard Green & Partners

Leonard Green & Partners, a private equity firm founded in 1989, is a leader in middle market and large-scale buyouts. Leonard Green often acquires or takes significant stakes in consumer, retail, healthcare, and business services companies.

The firm helps companies through acquisitions and collaborative strategies that accelerate growth and prepare them for the next phase of development. Its team focuses on value-added initiatives that provide both capital and operational improvements, making it a trusted partner to founders and shareholders alike.

5. Clearlake Capital

Established in Santa Monica, Clearlake Capital Group is one of the fastest-growing California private equity firms. Since its founding in 2006, this investment firm based in Los Angeles has specialized in software, industrials, and consumer goods.

Clearlake is known for its opportunistic strategies and evergreen OPS model, which emphasizes operational improvements and collaborative partnerships. With billions in AUM, Clearlake Capital Group focuses on companies undergoing transitions, providing flexible capital solutions that support M&A activity and accelerate growth.

6. Alpine Investors

Alpine Investors, rooted in San Francisco, takes a people-first, collaborative approach to private equity. This California-based investment firm specializes in acquiring founder-led and middle-market companies in sectors such as business services, software, and consumer products.

Since its founding in 2001, Alpine has built a strong track record as a trusted partner to founders, helping them navigate succession, acquisitions, and the next phase of growth. Its evergreen focus on leadership development sets it apart in California private equity.

7. Seaside Equity Partners

Located in San Diego, Seaside Equity Partners is a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on control investments in mission-critical services and manufacturing companies.

Seaside invests across a range of industries, helping management teams and shareholders achieve their full potential through specialization, hands-on partnership, and operational improvements.

Though smaller in scale compared to mega-funds, Seaside is an active player in California’s private equity market, targeting enduring companies with strong growth prospects.

8. Solis Capital Partners

Solis Capital Partners, also operating out of Southern California, is a private investment firm specializing in lower middle-market companies. Since its founding, Solis has raised private equity funds that invest in sectors such as manufacturing, business services, and consumer products.

The firm often partners with family offices and entrepreneurs, taking stakes in companies that require capital across expansion initiatives and succession planning. Solis is recognized for its corporate stewardship and its ability to provide operational improvements while helping businesses endure through different economic cycles.

9. FFL Partners

Operating from San Francisco, FFL Partners is a middle-market private equity firm founded in 1997. The firm invests across healthcare, financial services, and consumer products, often targeting companies where it can implement deep operational improvements.

FFL’s investment professionals work closely with management teams to create long-term shareholder value. As a global private equity firm focused on middle-market companies, FFL Partners has become a respected name in California’s PE ecosystem.

10. Altamont Capital Partners

Altamont Capital Partners, situated in Palo Alto, is a private equity firm founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in middle-market companies across business services, consumer, and industrial sectors.

Altamont is known for its operationally focused private equity approach, taking significant stakes in companies and providing active portfolio support. With its emphasis on helping great companies achieve their full potential, Altamont has earned recognition as a trusted private equity partner in California.

11. Marlin Equity Partners

Located in Los Angeles, Marlin Equity Partners is a global investment firm founded in 2005. With over $9 billion in AUM, Marlin specializes in acquiring companies undergoing operational or financial transitions.

The firm focuses on technology, healthcare, and services businesses, often leveraging M&A as a tool to create scale and accelerate growth. Marlin’s team focuses on value-added improvements and flexible capital solutions, making it one of the top-ranked California private equity firms.

Let’s Recap

California is home to some of the largest private equity firms in the world, alongside a wide array of mid-market and specialized investment firms. From mega-funds like Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, and Hellman & Friedman to regional players such as Seaside Equity Partners and Solis Capital, private equity firms in California offer diverse investment opportunities.

These firms often take significant stakes in companies, working closely with management, shareholders, and clients to deliver operational improvements, expand into new markets, and drive corporate growth.

With headquarters and offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and San Diego, California has established itself as a global center for private equity investing.

For entrepreneurs, family offices, and institutional investors, choosing the right private equity partner can help companies endure challenges, unlock value, and achieve sustainable long-term growth. Private Equity List makes it easier to search and connect with the right partner by offering curated investor profiles tailored to industry, deal size, and specialization.

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