Private equity’s expanding exit playbook: why a slowdown in IPOs shouldn’t worry you

The private equity industry has long been subject to misconceptions. To some, it’s a shadowy corner of finance — opaque, aggressive, and inaccessible. But this caricature misses the mark. In reality, private equity is a dynamic, collaborative and increasingly transparent industry, built on deep sector expertise, operational rigour, and long-term value creation.

At its best, private equity offers investee companies stability and strategic guidance, especially in turbulent times. Over the past year, as trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions rattled public markets, many companies found refuge in private ownership. For investors, too, private equity can offer a sense of security. Unlike public markets, which are prone to volatility and sentiment swings, private equity investments are held wi