An Experienced Global Investment Partner

Founded in 1968 by the Rockefeller, Mellon and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co., AEA has been positioning businesses for long-term success for over 55 years

A Unique Place In The History Of Private Equity

Over the last five decades, AEA has built an extraordinary network of the world’s leading industrialists, business executives and operators, many of whom join its portfolio company boards and/or act in other advisory roles. Combined with trusted, third-party resources for diligence and project support, the AEA network is an invaluable extension of the firm’s global footprint and knowledge base

AEA logo on a wall

~$19bn

In Assets Under Management

4

Complementary Investment Groups

300+

Current and Realized Portfolio Investments Since 2000

6

Offices Worldwide

120+

Global Investment Professionals

15+

Year Average Tenure of AEA's Investment Partners

Discover Our Established History as One of the Oldest Private Investment Firms

1969
2021
1963

AEA’s Inception

  • In November of 1963, the initial idea for AEA was formed over lunch between J. Richardson Dilworth, the Rockefeller family’s financial advisor; George Love, chairman of both Chrysler and Consolidated Coal; and Sir Siegmund Warburg, of the London branch of the Warburg banking family
Skyline of NYC
1968

AEA’s Founding

  • American European Associates founded with initial capital from the Rockefeller, Mellon and Harriman family interests
  • Carl Hess named Chairman and President and becomes leader of New York investment team
Photo of Carl Hess
1968 - 1989

Formalization of AEA’s Investment Program

  • AEA’s investor network begins investing alongside founding families in a deal-by-deal investing structure, called AEA Investment Programs
Hallway in office showing AEA logo
1989

John Whitehead Named Chairman

(Pictured far-right)

Management team of AEA investment firm
1991 Investment Program (AEA Fund I)
$410 million
1991

1991 Investment Program (AEA Fund I) Raised

  • AEA establishes its first committed pool dedicated to middle market private equity
1997 Investment Program (AEA Fund II)
$1.1 billion
1997

1997 Investment Program (AEA Fund II) Raised

1998

Vincent Mai Named Chairman

Photo of Vincent Mai
1999

Permanent European Presence Established

  • London office opens
A European street
2000

AEA Begins Adding Operating Partners

  • AEA’s Operating Partners added to provide significant knowledge and expertise to the full cycle of AEA’s investment process, including strategic and operational support for portfolio companies
Photo of two people shaking hands
2002

The AEA Culture Box is Created

  • The AEA executive team came together to create the “Principles of AEA Culture” (see photo above). Once completed, the team created a glass box with the document enclosed in the lid to act as a constant reminder of the shared commitment to the firm and one another. Upon day one at AEA, all employees are encouraged to sign the AEA Culture Box, symbolizing a collective commitment to the fundamental principals of AEA’s unique culture
AEA culture and values
2003 Investment Program (AEA Fund III)
$1.2 billion
2003

2003 Investment Program (AEA Fund III) Raised

2004

AEA Partners with Read Ahead

  • AEA becomes an official sponsor of Read Ahead, a reading-based mentoring program for elementary school students, through volunteer efforts, board leadership and financial support
Read ahead logo
AEA Mezzanine Fund I
$600 million (includes leverage)
AEA SBF I
$286 million
2005

AEA Expands Platform, Raising Private Debt and Small Business Private Equity Funds

  • AEA Mezzanine Fund I and AEA Small Business Fund I raised
2006 Investment Program (AEA Fund IV)
$1.3 billion
2006

2006 Investment Program (AEA Fund IV) Raised

AEA Middle Market Debt Fund I
$320 million (includes leverage)
2007

AEA Middle Market Debt Fund I Raised

2008

Continued Momentum Across Geographies

  • Shanghai office opens
A large skyscraper
2009

AEA Expands Footprint in Europe

  • Munich office opens
A city street in europe
AEA SBF II
$350 million
2010

AEA SBF II Raised

AEA Middle Market Debt Fund II
$410 million (includes leverage)
2011

AEA Middle Market Debt Fund II Raised

AEA Fund V
$2.1 billion
2012

John Garcia Named Chairman

 

AEA Fund V Raised

Photo of John Garcia
AEA Fund VI
$3.2 billion
AEA SBF III
$445 million
2015

Continued Growth Across Private Equity Strategies

  • AEA Fund VI and SBF III raised

 

Formal Environmental, Social and Governance Policy Established

AEA Middle Market Debt Fund III
$1.0 billion (includes leverage)
2016

AEA Middle Market Debt Fund III Raised

 

AEA Establishes Partnership with Out 4 Undergrad

  • AEA begins partnership with Out 4 Undergrad, a non-profit organization focused on helping young LGBT professionals reach their full potential in banking, consulting, private equity and other careers
Logo of Out 4 Undergrad
2017

AEA Women’s Leadership Network Established

  • The Women’s Leadership Network provides AEA’s female professionals with access to opportunities to network and build relationships across the firm, develop and hone leadership skills and collaborate with one another, with the goal of advancing their careers
Group of women for a staged photo
AEA Mezzanine Fund IV
$592 million
2018

AEA Mezzanine Fund IV Raised

AEA Fund VII
$4.8 billion
AEA SBF IV
$877 million
AEA Middle Market Debt Fund IV
$1.1 billion (includes leverage)
2019

Record Fundraising Year – Cumulatively Raised Nearly $6.8 Billion, Most in AEA’s History

  • AEA successfully completes fundraising for AEA Fund VII, SBF IV and Middle Market Debt Fund IV
2020

AEA Continues to Grow Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

  • $1 million donation to organizations helping to close the inequality gap for underserved communities, all of which are supported by our employees

 

AEA Becomes Sponsor of Students for Educational Opportunity

  • AEA becomes a proud partner to the Sponsors of Educational Opportunity (“SEO”) Alternative Investments Fellowship Program which supports investment banking analysts who are traditionally underrepresented in the alternative asset industry
Logo of Students for Educational Opportunity
2021

Positioning the Firm for the Future

  • AEA moves to larger New York Headquarters at 520 Madison, designed with a focus on collaboration and sustainability to accommodate the firm’s expanding team

 

Continuing to Expand AEA’s Commitment to DEI – AEA Launches Summer Internship Program for Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities

  • Interns gain valuable training and experience across all AEA strategies to better position them for future internships and full-time opportunities
Photo of 520 Madison Ave building
2021 (cont.)

Continued Strategic, Geographic and Digital Expansion

  • AEA Growth team joins to pursue high-growth opportunities in the tech-enabled, software and healthcare services spaces
  • San Francisco office opens as headquarters for AEA Growth team, broadening AEA’s West Coast presence
  • Head of Data Analytics recruited to assist AEA and its portfolio companies with ongoing digital transformation
AEA Growth office in California

Continue Learning About AEA

Our Culture

A distinct culture that connects our team and gives us purpose

Explore Our Culture
Our Team

Collaborative, one-firm mentality. No names on the door

meet the AEA team
ESG

Assessing risks and opportunities to drive value and positive impact

Learn More