Preqin's proprietary methodology showcases the top-performing and most consistent industry players.
Funds
The top-performing fund tables are derived from the most current data, spanning the last five quarters, and categorized by specific asset classes and strategies. Only funds with a reported net internal rate of return (net IRR) and funds that have called a certain percentage of their capital are included.
Additionally, the selection is tailored to include only those funds within relevant vintage years and exclude single-deal funds. The tables are based on data reported to Preqin as of December 31, 2024. Although fund rankings are not expected to alter significantly, final performance tables are subject to change as more data becomes available.
Fund managers
The most consistent, top-performing fund manager tables are based on the average quartile ranking of a manager's funds. The entire pool of private equity funds is ranked within each vintage year according to its net IRR. The funds are given a score based on their quartile: 1 for top-quartile funds, 2 for second-quartile funds, and so on. This is the fund's 'quartile ranking'.
A manager's average quartile ranking is the average of all of the funds' quartile scores, with a minimum of three funds required in order to appear in the table. The average quartile rankings can vary from 1.00 for a fund manager with only top-quartile funds, to 4.00 for a fund manager with only bottom-quartile funds.
Fund profile must be visible on Preqin Pro.
Fund profile status must be ‘Active’.
Fund manager must have raised funds in that asset class over the last seven years.
Funds in the most up-to-date range.
Winners are passed over to the relevant fund manager teams to sanity check the data and ensure that tagging has been applied correctly onto the profiles. Data to verify:
Fund raised in the last six years.
Performance metrics: Called%, DPI%, RVPI%, Net IRR.
If any of the data points are missing or unable to be confirmed, we will revisit the average rank list to identify the second-highest fund manager.
When was the performance data extracted?
Performance data presented in the 2025 iteration was extracted in February 2025.
What was the time frame for consideration?
Funds included within our most up-to-date range for when the dataset was pulled. This range includes funds with performance data within the latest five quarters.
What fund vintages are considered, and why?
To ensure a comprehensive and meaningful dataset, the analysis included fund vintages from 2017-2022. This choice allows for the examination of more mature funds, which provide more reliable performance data. At the time of data extraction, the most recent data was available up to Q2 2024.
Preqin deems the net internal rate of return (Net IRR) for funds within the first three years of their lifecycle as non-meaningful.
How often are the League Tables published?
Annually, in early Q2.
What's the difference between the free League Tables and the full League Tables in Preqin Pro?
Preqin's free-access League Tables are based on a snapshot taken as of December 31, 2024. The League Tables in Preqin Pro are interactive with our live dataset and rank funds on a separate set of eligibility and ranking criteria.
Was a fee required to participate in the Preqin League Tables?
No, all firms and funds that met the eligibility requirements were considered for the Preqin League Tables free-of-charge.
How can I be considered for next year's League Tables?
The best way to be considered for these league tables is to ensure that your profile is up to date. Contributing data to Preqin is completely free and simple! Find out how here.
For the 2024 Preqin League Tables private capital performance methodology, please click here.
Reach out to Preqin's private capital performance team.
Preqin's Digital League Tables are compiled using public domain information and data reported to Preqin by the participants; they are not independently verified or assessed. Preqin cannot therefore guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Details of Preqin’s data collection process are set out in the private capital performance guide and hedge fund performance guide.
If you intend to refer to your standings in the tables in marketing materials, you may only do so if you repeat the above statement within the materials.
Information in the tables is updated and corrected from time to time, so please ensure you check our service for the most recent data.
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