Apax Partners

The Apax Story

The history of Apax is interwoven with the development of the private equity asset class on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Throughout its 30-year history, the company has successfully invested across all investment stages, and through several complete economic cycles.

The firm’s current success is rooted in a culture that has always been outward looking, pioneering and committed to growing businesses. The deep understanding of the five sectors in which it invests has been at the core of Apax’s strategy, giving it early access to investment opportunities and an ability to quickly add value to portfolio companies.

Towards a global business

In 1999, led by the increasing regionalisation, and ultimately, globalisation of business, the firm raised its first pan-European fund to succeed the series of national funds it had raised since 1981.

In response to the increasing number of transatlantic and global deals they were doing, in 2002 the European and US operating companies merged to become Apax Partners Worldwide LLP.

As the businesses that Apax invests in become global, it is our view that those private equity firms that are best able to add value and support them internationally will flourish. Those that operate on a global basis will be able to spot emerging trends early, support the growth of global companies and use the world’s stock markets most effectively.

Drawing on its long experience of successfully bringing its unique skills to new markets, Apax opened offices in Stockholm in 2004, Hong Kong in 2005, and Mumbai in 2006.