Small and midmarket private equity firms are keeping aggressive fundraising goals even as they acknowledge that the U.S. economy is in a downturn, according to results of a Rothstein Kass survey released today. Although 68% of 323 principals at private equity firms believe it will be harder to raise money in 2008, nearly 93% are interested in raising more money to invest, the survey indicated. Also, 70% believe the credit crisis will worsen for the rest of the year, and 40% expect small firms will seek traditional loans instead of private equity investments.
The survey was the accounting firm’s first involving private equity firms. It was conducted in the first quarter.
