– Clearlake Capital closed its eighth flagship fund, Clearlake Capital Partners VIII (Fund VIII), together with co-investment vehicles and separately managed accounts, raising a total of $14.8 billion in capital commitments.
– The fund will focus on investing in long-term growth themes, including artificial intelligence (AI), software modernization, digital transformation, and operational efficiency.
– The fundraising was completed in a highly competitive private markets environment, highlighting strong investor confidence in Clearlake’s sector-focused strategy and integrated investment platform.
– Nearly 300 existing and new investors participated in the fundraising process, representing 35 countries across six continents.
– José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, said Fund VIII reflects the strength of Clearlake’s platform, consistent performance, and long-standing relationships with investors built over two decades.
– Clearlake’s investment approach combines sector expertise, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled value creation to identify and capitalize on attractive investment opportunities.
– Behdad Eghbali, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, emphasized that periods of market disruption often create compelling opportunities for value creation and business transformation.
– The firm believes its combination of sector specialization, operational expertise, AI capabilities, and flexible capital solutions enables portfolio companies to accelerate growth and transformation.
– Fund VIII has already begun deploying capital into investments aligned with Clearlake’s AI-driven and sector-focused strategy.
– Through Clearlake AI Labs and external AI partners, the firm supports portfolio companies in implementing AI initiatives across operations, product development, customer engagement, and decision-making.
– Recent investments include Dun & Bradstreet, Qualus , and ModMed.
– Over the last five years, Clearlake has generated approximately $22 billion in realizations, demonstrating its ability to create value and provide liquidity to investors across different market conditions.
– Notable realizations include investments in Concert Golf Partners, Brightly, Janus International Group, and TEAM Technologies, Incorporated.
