What Aequita does

Aequita is a Munich-based international investment group operating as AEQUITA SE & Co. KGaA with wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States (AEQUITA NORTH AMERICA LLC) and Japan (AEQUITA Japan K.K.). Founded in 2018 and structured as a partnership limited by shares, the firm specializes in the transformation of mid-sized companies (German Mittelstand) and corporate carve-outs in special situations. Its stated focus is on taking equity positions in companies that require operational restructuring, succession transitions, or carve-out support from larger parents, then working as an operational guide alongside management to drive transformation before exiting via strategic sale or IPO.

The firm's go-to-market is proprietary deal sourcing and direct outreach, supplemented by investment banking relationships, with no public pitch process. Aequita distinguishes itself from financial-engineering-only sponsors through "operational involvement" — embedding 90+ operational experts (Managing Directors, Directors, Senior Managers across transformation, restructuring, procurement, IT, supply chain, and finance functions) directly into portfolio companies to implement strategy. The investment lifecycle runs from acquisition and due diligence through strategy implementation, growth acceleration, and exit.

Aequita's portfolio as of mid-2026 spans at least nine operating companies and one pending acquisition, generating approximately €3.2 billion in combined annual revenues across 64 sites and 15,000 employees. Major assets include Velogy (European polyolefins platform, ex-LyondellBasell), the pending SABIC European Petrochemicals business (~$500M, ~$3.5B revenue), Rheinmetall Power Systems automotive division (€350M, ~6,250 employees), JTEKT European needle roller bearing business (~€100M revenue), MAT Foundry German brake component operations (~€200M revenue), SMAG Mobile Antenna Masts (defense), TMD Friction (brake friction), Durkopp (needle bearings), Breyden (foundry products), Willi Elbe (steering and drive technology), PEINER SMAG (lifting equipment), Signata (mechatronics), and Manage Now (IT services). Revenue mechanics for Aequita itself derive from management fees, investment returns, and eventual realization events such as the IFA Group sale to Neapco (creating the third-largest global driveline manufacturer with ~$2B revenue) and the contemplated SMAG Frankfurt IPO.

Name

Aequita

Legal name

Aequita SE&Co KGaA

Website

https://aequita.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aequita is a Munich-based private investment group (AEQUITA SE & Co. KGaA) that acquires and operationally transforms mid-sized European companies and corporate carve-outs in special situations, deploying 90+ operational experts into a €3.2 billion-revenue portfolio across 64 sites and 15,000 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Equity and Investment Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Capital Markets Advisory (IPO Readiness, SPAC, ECM/DCM Advisory) (BPAHAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Strategy Advisory (BPAHADAA), Insolvency & Turnaround Advisory (SME/Mid-Market Debtor-Side) (FSAEAFAK)

Keywords

• Private equity investments
• Corporate carve-outs
• Special situations investing
• Mid-market transformation
• Portfolio management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Private Equity Investment Returns: AEQUITA generates returns through acquiring mid-sized companies, transforming them operationally and strategically, and exiting via sale to strategic buyers or through IPO. Revenue is derived from portfolio company value creation and eventual exits.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AEQUITA is a Munich-based international investment group that acquires and transforms mid-sized European companies, with a particular focus on corporate carve-outs and special-situation investments. The firm invests its own capital, embeds operational consultants in portfolio companies, drives strategic and operational restructuring, and ultimately exits portfolio companies via sale to strategic owners or IPO. Its current portfolio spans industrial chemicals, automotive components, defense technology, and IT services across Europe.

Product overview

AEQUITA is an international investment group based in Munich that specializes in the transformation of mid-sized companies and corporate carve-outs in special situations. Rather than offering a unified software product, AEQUITA operates a diversified portfolio of industrial and manufacturing companies acquired through private equity transactions. The portfolio spans nine distinct businesses across the chemical (Velogy), automotive components (Durkopp, TMD Friction, Willi Elbe, PEINER SMAG), industrial products (Breyden, Signata), defense technology (SMAG Mobile Antenna Masts), and IT services (Manage Now) sectors. AEQUITA provides operational consulting, strategic implementation, and growth support to these portfolio companies, with approximately 15,000 employees across 64 sites generating €3.2 billion in annual revenues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Velogy: European olefins and polyolefins platform formed from LyondellBasell assets
• Durkopp
• Breyden
• Manage Now
• SMAG Mobile Antenna Masts
• PEINER SMAG
• TMD Friction
• Signata
• Willi Elbe

Products and services

• Velogy European platform for olefins and polyolefins, formed from assets carved out of LyondellBasell. Operates as an independent plastics supplier in the European resin market with production sites in France, Germany, UK, and Spain.
• Durkopp

Quantifiable outcome

• AEQUITA becomes Europe's largest polyolefins producer with 4.6 million tonnes combined capacity following LyondellBasell and SABIC acquisitions
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mutares: Munich-based mid-market PE/turnaround firm focused on corporate carve-outs and operational restructuring in European industrials. Closest direct peer given overlapping sector focus, similar Mittelstand clientele, and comparable size and headcount structure.
• Triton Partners: European mid-market PE sponsor with active value-creation approach in industrial and business services carve-outs. Comparable deal sourcing, operating partner model, and target company size range.
• Lone Star Funds: Global special situations investor focused on acquiring distressed and carved-out assets from financial institutions and corporates. Comparable in carve-out acquisition strategy and European industrial mid-market focus.
• Deutsche Beteiligungs AG: German mid-market private equity firm investing in Mittelstand companies through MBOs and succession solutions. Overlapping deal type and target company profile with Aequita's German industrial carve-out focus.
• Aurelius Equity Opportunities: Munich-listed special situations investor acquiring underperforming mid-sized European companies and carve-outs. Comparable transaction style, sector mix (industrials, chemicals, auto), and operational involvement model.
• H.I.G. Capital: Global mid-market PE firm specializing in special situations, operational turnarounds, and corporate carve-outs. Strong overlap in deal type, sector focus (industrials/chemicals), and European footprint.
• Altor Equity Partners: Nordic/European mid-market PE firm focused on operational value creation in industrials, consumer, and services. Similar AUM size and active operational playbook in European mid-sized companies.

Broad incumbents

• Onex Partners: North American mid-market PE sponsor with industrial carve-out and operational improvement capabilities. Similar operating-partner model but materially larger AUM and broader global reach.
• Ardian: European private investment house with mid-market fund including industrial carve-outs and succession transactions. Overlapping geography and operating model, but with a substantially larger and more diversified platform.
• Cinven: Large European mid-market PE firm with broad sector coverage including industrials and chemicals. Similar geography and target size, but larger AUM scale and more diversified sector exposure than Aequita.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aequita

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aequita