Big Is Back: Private Equity In Cayman

Big is back –  The increased global momentum in private equity activity has been reflected in the Cayman Islands, highlighting its importance as a centre for fund formation, secured fund financing and downstream transactions. But whilst the big players have been raising, and looking to spend, eye-catching amounts there remains space at the table for the mid-market houses and ambitious start-ups.

The number of Cayman Islands exempted limited partnerships, the primary Cayman Islands vehicle through which private equity funds and investments are structured, has been rising steadily. There were 2,861 such partnerships registered in 2014, a 20% increase from 2013, whilst the first quarter of 2015 alone has shown a 22% increase from the corresponding period in the previous year.