The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with $475B AUM operating across Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and AlpInvest, serving institutional LPs and a growing wealth channel through 678 investment vehicles and 28 offices worldwide.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Carlyle Group does
The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager founded in 1987 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating across three reportable segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest (which manages the firm's fund-of-funds, secondary, and co-investment mandates). The firm invests across buyouts, growth equity, credit, real assets, and infrastructure, managing approximately $475 billion in assets under management through 678 investment vehicles and 277 portfolio companies, supported by 2,500+ professionals across 28 offices on four continents. Its investor base is dominated by institutional limited partners — pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and insurance companies — augmented by a growing wealth management channel following the 2026 acquisition of MAI Capital Management and the ABC [ONE] defined-contribution partnership with AllianceBernstein and Brookfield.
Carlyle generates revenue through two primary mechanisms: recurring management fees on committed and invested capital across its funds, and performance fees (carried interest and incentive fees) tied to the realization of investment gains. Q1 2026 results illustrate the model: $750.9 million in total revenue (down 28% year-over-year), $300 million of fee-related earnings at a 47% margin, $327 million of distributable earnings ($0.89 per share), $13 billion of new capital raised, and over $12 billion of U.S. buyout realizations in a single quarter. Recent strategic activity includes the €7.7 billion carve-out of BASF's Coatings business with Qatar Investment Authority, the launch of Carlyle Partners IX (~$15 billion target) and a dedicated $2.5–3 billion defense fund, divestitures of Flender (~$3.5B) and Vantage Group ($2.1B), and platform expansions in healthcare RCM, aerospace and defense, and Asia-Pacific consumer (KFC Korea, Chung Ho Nais).
The firm's technology and operating platform increasingly incorporates AI and digital infrastructure, including the Knack RCM/EqualizeRCM AI healthcare platform, a Climate Risk Framework built with Marsh McLennan, and exploration of blockchain tokenization for fund interests. These capabilities are organized under dedicated digital leadership (Chief Digital Officer Matt Anderson, Applied AI Lead Dean Barr) and are positioned as portfolio enhancement and underwriting-support tools rather than as standalone product offerings. Carlyle is publicly listed on NASDAQ under ticker CG.
The Carlyle Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Carlyle Group
- Legal name
- The Carlyle Group
- Website
- https://carlyle.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with $475B AUM operating across Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and AlpInvest, serving institutional LPs and a growing wealth channel through 678 investment vehicles and 28 offices worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Carlyle Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Equity and Alternative Asset Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199), Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory (BPAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital) (BPAHADAG), Real Estate Capital Markets Advisory (Debt/Equity Placement, Refinancing) (BPAJANAE)
Keywords
Where The Carlyle Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices25 records
Markets served
The Carlyle Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Management Fees: Carlyle earns management fees based on assets under management across its investment vehicles. For Q1 2026, the firm reported fee-related earnings of $300 million at a 47% margin.
- Performance Revenues / Carried Interest: Carlyle earns carried interest (performance fees) when investment returns exceed specified thresholds. Q1 2026 saw record U.S. buyout realizations exceeding $12 billion.
- Transaction and Advisory Fees: Fees from advisory services, transaction structuring, and portfolio company services across M&A, divestitures, and capital markets activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Private Equity Management Fees |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Performance Fees / Carried Interest |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Carlyle Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Carlyle Group is a global investment management firm managing $475 billion in assets under management across three primary segments: Global Private Equity (corporate buyouts and growth investments), Global Credit (flexible credit solutions across the capital structure), and Carlyle AlpInvest (primary funds, co-investments, and secondary solutions). The firm invests in and operates 277 portfolio companies through 678 investment vehicles, serving institutional investors, financial advisors, and high-net-worth individuals. Carlyle also delivers specialized platforms including Carlyle Aviation Partners, Carlyle Secured Lending (CSL), and wealth management through MAI Capital Management.
Product overview
The Carlyle Group is a global private investment firm that offers investment management services through three primary business segments: Global Private Equity (investing in corporate private equity across industries and geographies), Global Credit (providing flexible credit solutions across the capital structure), and Carlyle AlpInvest (access to private equity primary funds, co-investments, and secondaries through a global network of partners). These are investment platforms and fund management services, not standalone software products. Carlyle does not offer a unified software product with modules or sub-products; rather, it provides investment strategies and vehicles through which institutional investors, financial advisors, and portfolio companies access private markets. The firm's offerings include 678 investment vehicles managing assets across various fund types, strategies, and geographies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Carlyle AlpInvest: Private equity primary fund, co-investment, and secondary solutions platform
- Carlyle Aviation Partners
- Carlyle Secured Lending (CSL)
- Carlyle Credit Solutions (CARS)
- Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (CTAC)
- Carlyle Partners
- ABC [ONE]
Products and services
- Global Private Equity Carlyle's Global Private Equity platform partners with management teams to help businesses scale, transform, and compete, combining deep sector expertise with regional execution to support long-term value creation through buyouts, growth capital, and strategic investments.
- Global Credit Carlyle's Global Credit platform offers flexible solutions across the capital structure, providing borrowers with scale and certainty, while helping investors access differentiated income and risk-adjusted returns through direct lending, credit opportunities, liquid credit, asset-backed finance, and insurance solutions.
- Carlyle AlpInvest Carlyle AlpInvest provides access to investment opportunities and liquidity solutions across a global network of partners and utilizes market intelligence to drive informed value creation through primary fund investing, co-investments, and secondaries.
- Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (CTAC)
- ETAC
- Carlyle Credit Solutions Inc. (CARS)
- Carlyle Secured Lending Inc. (CSL)
- Carlyle Credit Income Fund (CCIF)
- CPEP (Carlyle Private Equity Fund)
- CPEP SICAV
- CAPM
- CAPM SICAV
- CAPS
- CAPS SICAV
- Global Portfolio Solutions
- LP Connect Investor Portal
- ABC [ONE] Turnkey Private Markets Solution
- MAI Capital Management Wealth Management Services
- Carlyle Aviation Partners
- AI-Driven Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- $475 billion AUM as of Q1 2026
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Carlyle Group
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Carlyle Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Carlyle Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Marsh McLennancoreCarlyle developed climate risk framework in partnership with insurance broker Marsh McLennan, enabling portfolio managers to price climate resilience into asset valuations and negotiate better insurance terms.
- Content PartnerscoreContent Partners and Carlyle Global Credit closed a single-asset continuation vehicle for Content Partners' film and TV content portfolio. Content Partners manages 800+ motion pictures and 3,000+ hours of television content.
- AllianceBernsteincoreAllianceBernstein, Brookfield, and Carlyle launched ABC [ONE], a turnkey private markets solution for defined contribution retirement plans. AB manages overall allocation and private credit, Brookfield handles private real assets, Carlyle manages private equity component.
- Brookfield Asset ManagementcoreAllianceBernstein, Brookfield, and Carlyle launched ABC [ONE] turnkey private markets solution for DC plans with dynamic allocation across private credit, real assets, and private equity based on participants' retirement stage.
- Oracle Red Bull RacingcoreSince 2025, Carlyle is Oracle Red Bull Racing's exclusive partner in the investment management industry, marking the first partnership between a Formula 1 team and major global private markets firm. Focus on technology, data-driven collaborations, and broadening access to motorsport and private markets.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Carlyle Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bain Capital: Major global private equity firm with diversified strategies across buyout, credit, and venture. Comparable scale and product breadth to Carlyle; competes for institutional LP mandates and large-cap buyout transactions across North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Apollo Global Management: Major alternative asset manager with leading private credit franchise and insurance-linked capital (Athene). Closely comparable to Carlyle's Global Credit and Insurance Solutions segments; competes on large leveraged buyouts and hybrid capital solutions.
- Brookfield Asset Management: Alternative asset manager with leading infrastructure and real estate franchises. Direct partner of Carlyle in ABC [ONE] DC plan product; also a competitor for large infrastructure, renewable energy, and real assets deals where Carlyle deploys through its infrastructure and real estate platforms.
- Ares Management: Leading alternative asset manager with a dominant direct lending and private credit franchise. Direct competitor to Carlyle's Global Credit platform and Carlyle Secured Lending (CSL); both firms target similar U.S. middle-market and large-cap credit opportunities.
- TPG: Public alternative asset manager with PE, credit, real estate, and impact investing strategies. Comparable to Carlyle in flagship buyout fundraising and sector-led investing; competes in healthcare, technology, and energy transitions.
- KKR: Global alternative asset manager with comparable three-pillar platform (PE, Credit, Real Assets). Directly competes with Carlyle in middle-market and large-cap buyouts, private credit, and infrastructure fundraising; co-invested with Carlyle in the Nxtra Data round.
- Blackstone: Largest global alternative asset manager with $1T+ AUM across PE, credit, real estate, and hedge funds. Direct competitor to Carlyle in flagship buyout, private credit, and wealth channels; competes head-to-head on the largest global carve-outs and LP mandates.
Regional players
- EQT: European-headquartered alternative asset manager with strong focus on private capital, growth, and infrastructure. Comparable to Carlyle's European PE and infrastructure franchises but with a primarily European LP base and operational footprint.
- CVC Capital Partners: European-led global private equity firm with broad sector coverage across buyout and credit. Comparable platform breadth to Carlyle but with predominantly European institutional LP base; competes on large European buyouts and secondaries.
Others
- Hellman & Friedman: Large-cap focused private equity firm with concentrated North American and European platform. Co-owned Vantage Group Holdings with Carlyle and co-invested in various transactions; comparable in deal size and sector focus (technology, financial services, healthcare) but less diversified by strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Carlyle Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Carlyle Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Carlyle Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
The Carlyle Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries11 records
The Carlyle Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Carlyle Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A228 records
Investments355 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Carlyle Group
What does The Carlyle Group do?
The Carlyle Group is a global investment management firm managing $475 billion in assets under management across three primary segments: Global Private Equity (corporate buyouts and growth investments), Global Credit (flexible credit solutions across the capital structure), and Carlyle AlpInvest (primary funds, co-investments, and secondary solutions). The firm invests in and operates 277 portfolio companies through 678 investment vehicles, serving institutional investors, financial advisors, and high-net-worth individuals. Carlyle also delivers specialized platforms including Carlyle Aviation Partners, Carlyle Secured Lending (CSL), and wealth management through MAI Capital Management.
Is The Carlyle Group a public or private company?
The Carlyle Group is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was The Carlyle Group founded?
The Carlyle Group was founded in 1987. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is The Carlyle Group based?
The Carlyle Group is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Carlyle Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are performance Revenues / Carried Interest and transaction and Advisory Fees.
Who are The Carlyle Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bain Capital, Apollo Global Management, Brookfield Asset Management, Ares Management, TPG, KKR and Blackstone. Regional players are EQT and CVC Capital Partners. Hellman & Friedman is listed as an others.
Does The Carlyle Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Carlyle Group.
What industry is The Carlyle Group in?
The Carlyle Group's product category is Private Equity and Alternative Asset Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAB, Corporate Finance & Capital Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAHADAG, Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6199.