Private Equity Commercial Value Creation Study 2026
Leading PE firms are building more repeatable approaches to commercial growth across the value creation lifecycle.
Our 2026 Private Equity Commercial Value Creation Study draws on insights from 215 respondents across roles, regions, and sectors. The findings show that profitable growth is taking on greater importance as traditional financial levers fade.
Higher-performing firms stand apart by testing execution readiness earlier, activating commercial opportunities faster, and building portfolio-wide capabilities.
They also focus on creating credible proof of growth, helping demonstrate repeatable value creation to buyers at exit and to LPs during fundraising.
Study findings at a glance
Our 2026 study shows how higher-performing PE firms turn commercial opportunities into sustained value by acting faster, building repeatable capabilities, and creating credible proof of growth through exit.
Profitable revenue growth is playing a more central role in the equity story. 75% of respondents expect its importance to increase, reinforcing a broader shift toward tangible commercial growth as traditional financial levers become less dependable.
66% of respondents say diligence over-indexes on assessing opportunity rather than execution readiness. Identifying commercial opportunity is only part of the equation. Diligence also needs to test whether management can deliver, closing the critical gap between identifying potential and executing against it.
Speed after close is a clear differentiator. Within six months, 49% of high performers activate at least one commercial excellence initiative across more than 75% of portfolio companies, compared with just 33% of low performers.
Higher-performing firms move beyond asset-by-asset value creation. Among these firms, 76% use standardized practices such as governance, dedicated capabilities, and portfolio-wide systems, compared with 54% of low performers, helping embed greater consistency and discipline across the portfolio.
Value creation needs to be demonstrated, not just delivered. In the final 12–18 months of the hold period, 51% of high performers shift goals from maximizing current EBITDA towards identifying credible upside for the next owner, while only 21% of low performers do the same.
Closing the execution gap in PE value creation
As traditional return levers provide less support, commercial execution is taking on greater importance in PE performance. This article explores how higher-performing firms turn opportunities in pricing, sales, and customer development into EBITDA by building conviction, establishing ownership, and maintaining momentum across the hold period.
Activating the VCP: How to keep commercial value moving after close
Commercial opportunities identified during diligence can quickly lose momentum after close. The key is to build conviction before ownership begins, carry well-supported growth opportunities into the value creation plan, and validate them rapidly with management to turn pre-close insight into earlier action and EBITDA impact.
Preparing for exit with a growth story buyers can underwrite
The final 12 to 24 months of ownership provide a critical window to strengthen performance and prepare for exit. Sponsors can use this period to prioritize initiatives that can still deliver EBITDA, build evidence of sustained commercial improvement, and package credible future upside into a growth story that gives prospective buyers greater confidence.
From portco wins to portfolio systems: Making value creation repeatable
Higher-performing PE firms are building more systematic approaches to commercial value creation across the portfolio. This article explores how firms can progress from lightweight governance and portfolio diagnostics to dedicated capabilities and portfolio-wide systems, making value creation more repeatable and strengthening their ability to demonstrate consistent value creation to LPs.
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