Goldman Sachs Alternatives has announced the final close of West Street Capital Partners IX and its related vehicles. The fund closed with $9.6 billion in total capital to invest in leading companies worldwide to create value. Combined with the more than $1.6 billion raised to date for West Street Asia Equity Partners I, the dedicated private equity strategy for Asia-Pacific, and $500 million allocated to related co-investment vehicles, total capital raised globally reaches $11.7 billion.
According to the asset manager, this represents the ninth generation of Goldman Sachs Alternatives’ flagship buyout platform. Since 1986, the team has invested over $89 billion globally, partnering with companies and management teams to drive growth. The fund’s capital comes from a diverse group of institutional and high-net-worth investors across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, along with significant commitments from Goldman Sachs and its employees. In addition to the capital raised for this fund and its related vehicles, Goldman Sachs Alternatives is independently raising capital for West Street Asia Equity Partners I, its dedicated pan-Asian private equity strategy focused on mid-market control investments and select growth investments across the region. Following its initial aggregate close, WSAEP I has raised over $1.6 billion to date.
The fund will maintain its strategy, predominantly focused on upper-middle-market control investments. Leveraging the team’s deep sector expertise, the fund is expected to target investments in the business services, financial services, technology, healthcare, consumer, and energy transition sectors. In a dynamic investment environment, the team is strategically positioned to identify new opportunities across these sectors, utilizing operating models that have proven resilient across different market cycles.
Brad Gross, Global Co-Head of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, noted: “This capital raise builds on our long-standing track record as a leading private equity platform, leveraging Goldman Sachs’ global scale, network, and expertise to identify differentiated investments and drive value for our portfolio companies. The enthusiasm of our global investor base reflects strong confidence in the strength of our franchise and our ability to deliver attractive returns across market cycles.”
Meanwhile, Michael Bruun, Global Co-Head of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, added: “Against a backdrop of macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts, public market volatility, and rapid technological transformation, our experienced team is well-positioned to identify areas of opportunity and execute resilient investment strategies. Our extensive team of experts and advisors also possesses the tools and resources needed to help portfolio companies navigate the ongoing artificial intelligence transformation and scale their businesses.”
WSCP IX has already invested in several companies across various geographies and sectors, including Schellman, a leading U.S.-based provider of cybersecurity audit and compliance services; Numantec, a leading European developer, manufacturer, and distributor of medical devices and vascular access/infusion consumables; Excel Sports, a premier independent U.S.-based sports agency and representation firm; and Mace, a global program and project management company serving infrastructure and built environment clients, based in Europe.
In Asia, WSAEP I builds on Goldman Sachs Alternatives’ long history as one of the earliest private equity investors in the region, with approximately $17 billion deployed. With over 30 years of investment experience in Asia, the team seeks to collaborate with management teams to drive growth, operational transformation, and long-term value creation.
Portfolio companies of the funds benefit from GS Value Accelerator, a proprietary platform that helps build enduring businesses and generate incremental value. Value Accelerator offers a premier global network of operating advisors and sector experts who can support companies in their technology, data, and artificial intelligence transformation, revenue growth, talent and organizational strategy, operational excellence, finance and strategy, and sustainability optimization. The Private Equity division at Goldman Sachs Alternatives is led by its Global Co-Heads, Brad Gross and Michael Bruun. Stephanie Hui is Head of Private and Growth Equity in Asia-Pacific and Head of Private Investing in Asia-Pacific at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
