General Atlantic is a global growth equity investor that specializes in investing in fast-growing companies across various sectors. The company focuses on four main sectors: consumer, financial services, healthcare, and technology. Within these sectors, General Atlantic looks for companies with proven business models and strong revenue growth potential.
The investment approach of General Atlantic involves actively partnering with portfolio companies and providing them with stable and flexible capital. They aim to be an active lead investor with significant minority ownership in order to work closely with management teams and drive meaningful outcomes.
One notable aspect of General Atlantic's structure is its stable capital base, which sets it apart from traditional private equity funds. This allows them to invest patiently and independently in fundraising cycles. The capital base of General Atlantic is primarily composed of entrepreneurial and philanthropic families, which reinforces the company's long-term approach to investing.
General Atlantic has a rich history that spans over four decades. The firm was founded in 1980 as the captive investment team within Atlantic Philanthropies, a philanthropic organization established by Charles F. Feeney, the co-founder of Duty-Free Shoppers Ltd. The initial purpose of General Atlantic was to manage the investment portfolio of Atlantic Philanthropies and generate returns to support the organization's philanthropic efforts.
In its early years, General Atlantic focused on investments in sectors such as computer software, oil and gas exploration, real estate, and retailing. The firm's first major investment success came with United Health Services, which tripled in value within three years.
Under the leadership of CEO Edwin Cohen, a former partner of McKinsey & Company, and founding member Steven A. Denning, also from McKinsey & Company, General Atlantic began to expand its funding sources beyond Atlantic Philanthropies. The firm started attracting investments from other family offices, foundations, and endowments. This allowed General Atlantic to broaden its investment scope and pursue new opportunities.
As the firm's funding sources expanded, General Atlantic also started exploring international expansion. In 1999, the firm opened its first overseas office, marking the beginning of its global presence. Over the years, General Atlantic established offices in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, creating a network of 14 offices worldwide.
William (Bill) E. Ford joined General Atlantic in 1991 and has played a significant role in the firm's growth and success. He became the Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic and has been instrumental in shaping the firm's investment strategy and guiding its strategic direction.
General Atlantic has continuously evolved and adapted to market dynamics and changing investment landscapes. The firm has diversified its portfolio across sectors and has been at the forefront of investing in technology, consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, and life sciences.
In recent years, General Atlantic has solidified its position as a prominent growth equity firm. It has been recognized as one of the largest private equity firms globally and has made notable investments in companies such as Royalty Pharma and Jio Platforms. These investments have demonstrated General Atlantic's ability to identify promising opportunities and create value for its portfolio companies.
The firm has also expanded its leadership team, appointing Gabriel Caillaux, Martín Escobari, and Anton Levy as Co-Presidents in 2019. This move further strengthened the firm's senior leadership and positioned it for continued growth and success. As of 2022, General Atlantic has over $84.4 billion in assets under management (AUM) and employs 496 professionals. It focuses on investments in five sectors: Technology, Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Life Sciences. The firm has a strong global presence with 14 offices located in major cities around the world, including New York City, London, Beijing, Mumbai, and Singapore.
General Atlantic follows a specific set of investment criteria when evaluating potential investment opportunities. The firm focuses on investing in fast-growing companies with proven business models and strong revenue growth potential. Here are some key aspects of General Atlantic's investment criteria:
General Atlantic is guided by a set of core values that underpin its approach to investing and partnering with companies. These values shape the firm's culture, decision-making process, and relationships with portfolio companies. Here are the key values upheld by General Atlantic:
General Atlantic is a pioneering growth equity firm that focuses on driving global growth and investing in leading growth companies. With over 40 years of experience, the firm has established itself as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs who share their passion for innovation and technology. General Atlantic's approach involves identifying emerging companies with strong fundamental performance and organic growth potential, aiming to accelerate their expansion and enable them to scale globally.
When partnering with companies, General Atlantic provides capital, insights, global resources, and a vast network to support their growth journey. The firm's goal is to create value and facilitate sustainable growth, which has resulted in consistent and attractive performance for both companies and their investors worldwide.
General Atlantic's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies across sectors and geographies. While specific companies within the portfolio may change over time, here are a few examples of companies that General Atlantic has previously invested in or is currently associated with:
These examples highlight General Atlantic's investment focus on disruptive and innovative companies across sectors such as hospitality, fintech, collaboration tools, e-commerce, transportation, and more. General Atlantic's portfolio companies demonstrate a commitment to driving global growth and leveraging technology to transform industries and improve customer experiences.
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William E. Ford (CEO )
Anton Levy (Co-President )
Gabriel Caillaux (Co-President )
Martín Escobari (Co-President)
Jonathan Korngold ( Global Head of Financial Services )
Paul Stamas (Global Head of Healthcare)