Mark Hampstead, EMEA Head of Alternative Investments at J.P. Morgan, emphasizes that the industry is not losing its edge—it’s evolving, with strategic opportunities for investors to capture superior returns
Private equity has long thrived on outperformance over public markets, driven by operational improvements, leverage, the opportunity to invest in growth opportunities not available in public markets and more. Recently, this foundation has been more challenged: deal flow has slowed, dry powder has reached record highs, distributions have lagged, and a strong stock market has challenged PE’s edge. Yet, while some question the industry’s future, private equity is not losing its way; it’s evolving, and opportunities for outperformance are more present than ever.
For those determined not just to survive but to thrive, five resolutions are non-negotiable.
First, embrace the innovation premium. The most exciting value creation is happening behind closed doors, long before companies ever ring the bell on public markets. The next wave of growth isn’t coming from yesterday’s household names—it’s being built in private, where AI, healthcare, and cybersecurity firms are scaling at breakneck speed. Private companies have posted average annual EBITDA growth of 11.5% over the past decade, leaving public benchmarks in the dust. The “services as software” revolution alone could unlock up to $5 trillion by 2030, and with 95% of software companies still private, the real action is off-exchange. Today’s tech firms are hitting IPO with five times the sales of their dot-com-era ancestors, capturing enormous value while still private. If you want to own tomorrow’s winners, you need to be in the private markets today.
Second, think closer to home. The U.S. is no longer the only game in town. Europe’s private equity market has quietly outperformed its public counterpart, delivering around 6.8% annualized returns over the past decade. Why? Less competition, more fragmentation, and a deep pool of middle-market targets ripe for consolidation. European PE is also a gateway to long-term themes—think tech and telecom—that are hard to find in public markets. Meanwhile, Asia’s innovation engines are revving up, offering new avenues for growth as regional drivers diverge. In 2026, sticking to the familiar might a recipe for mediocrity. Cast your net wide – across regions, sectors, and deal sizes – to capture the full spectrum of opportunity.
Third, rethink liquidity and use new tools. Evergreen funds have tripled their share of capital raising since 2020 and could command up to 20% of the market within a decade. The secondary market is booming, expected to surpass $200 billion by the end of 2025. These aren’t just incremental changes- they’re reshaping how investors access, exit, and manage private equity exposure. The smart money is blending traditional drawdown funds with evergreen and secondary strategies, building portfolios that are flexible, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.
Fourth, double down on manager selection. The gap between leaders and laggards is widening fast. In a world of moderate growth and higher rates, operational expertise and access to innovation are the new table stakes. Capital is abundant, but true know-how is rare. Investors need to be ruthless in their selection—backing managers with a proven track record of navigating complexity, driving efficiency, and unlocking growth. In this environment, not every manager will deliver. The winners will be those who can separate the best from the rest.
Fifth, stay agile and disciplined. The private equity landscape is evolving at breakneck speed. Dealmaking and distributions have lagged, but green shoots are emerging as global M&A and IPO activity picks up. Success in 2026 will belong to those who can pivot quickly, stress-testing portfolios for a range of scenarios, keeping liquidity on hand to seize opportunities, and adapting strategies as the market shifts. Passive investing has its place, but this is a market that will reward active management, sharp risk controls, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Private equity isn’t fading, it’s transforming. The innovation premium is reshaping where and how value is created, and the expanding liquidity toolkit is giving investors more ways to participate. As more capital chases a limited number of high-quality deals, competition will intensify and manager selection will become even more critical. Given their speculative nature and increased risks, such as limited liquidity and transparency, these opportunities should be considered against an investor’s risk appetite. The bottom line: investors who resolve to embrace innovation, diversify globally, rethink liquidity, double down on manager selection, and stay agile will be better equipped for the next era of private equity. In 2026, these aren’t just smart moves—they’re survival skills for the new private equity frontier.