Private equity co-investing has become a core component of how private markets operate, enabling investors to invest directly into individual deals alongside private equity funds. This paper explains what co-investing is, why it exists, how it works and how it fits within a broader private equity portfolio.
For individual investors, co-investment funds are often the most practical entry point. Such funds offer access to a diversified pipeline of co-investments and are managed by professionals who maintain discipline and portfolio diversification. Whether investing directly or through a fund structure, investors in co-investments gain greater visibility, enhanced control and potentially better economics than they would from an investment in a traditional private equity fund.