Top 20 States for Private Equity Investment in 2014

Private equity firms invested some $486 billion in American companies in 2014, $43 billion more than in 2013, the Private Equity Growth Capital Council reported this week.

PEGCC’s fifth annual report ranks the top 20 states and congressional districts by investment value and number of investments.

“Year after year, the data reveal the essential role that private equity plays in bolstering a wide variety of industries across our country,” PEGCC’s president and chief executive Steve Judge said in a statement.

“With investments in more than 3,100 U.S.-based businesses last year, private equity continues to help companies strengthen their operations, create jobs, and grow our economy.”

According to PEGCC, some 2,847 U.S.-based private equity investment firms operate businesses in all 50 states. The companies they back employ 11.3 million people in this country and 19.6 million workers worldwide.

Earlier this year, PEGCC reported that U.S. private equity exit volume hit a record $257 billion in 2014.

Following are PEGCC’s top 20 states by capital invested in 2014.

20. Oklahoma

Capital invested: $7.3 billion

Number of companies: 44

2013 ranking: 15

19. Arizona

Capital invested: $7.8 billion

Number of companies: 54

2013 ranking: Not ranked

Arizona’s 6th congressional district was the no. 18 district by private equity investment in 2014.

18: Maryland

Capital invested: $8.2 billion

Number of companies: 62

2013 ranking: 11

17: Washington

Capital invested: $8.7 billion

Number of companies: 82

2013 ranking: Not ranked

16. Wisconsin

Capital invested: $8.9 billion

Number of companies: 50

2013 ranking: 20

15. Virginia

Capital invested: $9.8 billion

Number of companies: 81

2013 ranking: 7

14. North Carolina

Capital invested: $10.9 billion

Number of companies: 85

2013 ranking: 14

13. Colorado

Capital invested: $13.5 billion

Number of companies: 97

2013 ranking: 13

Colorado’s 1st congressional district was the no. 11 district by private equity investment in 2014.

12. Tennessee

Capital invested: $14.1 billion

Number of companies: 76

2013 ranking: 16

11. Michigan

Capital invested: $16.2 billion

Number of companies: 86

2013 ranking: 19

Michigan’s 11th and 14th congressional districts were the no. 9 and no. 12 districts by private equity investment in 2014.

 

10. Massachusetts