Private Equity in the German Mittelstand: Seizing Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges

Private equity investors have significant capital at their disposal, but competition from international PE firms, corporates, and family offices continues to intensify. At the same time, the expectations of medium-sized businesses are rising: beyond capital, they seek entrepreneurial expertise and sustainable value creation.

To succeed in this dynamic environment, PE firms must master the entire investment cycle — from fundraising and transactions to exit strategies — while keeping an eye on tax and regulatory developments.

Grant Thornton supports private equity firms with extensive experience across all phases of the investment process:

  • Due diligence & deal negotiation to support sound investment decisions
  • Value creation within the portfolio through strategic development and operational efficiency
  • Exit advisory & transaction strategies to secure optimal returns

Our interdisciplinary team combines deep industry knowledge with the agility and responsiveness that are essential in the Mittelstand. Benefit from our expertise, fast turnaround times, and tailored solutions for your portfolio companies.

Our solutions

  • Due diligence (financial, tax, legal, commercial)
  • Tax structuring
  • M&A advisory (buy-side)
  • Financial statement auditing (German Commercial Code/IFRS)
  • International Business Report (IBR)/financial restructuring/restructuring reports/budgeting
  • Financing/balance sheet structure optimization
  • Taxes/current accounting
  • M&A advice
  • Vendor due diligence
  • Deal generation
  • Compliance (regulatory law)
  • Tax consulting (fund structure, general tax consulting)
  • Financial statement auditing