Preqin

Preqin launched as ‘Private Equity Intelligence’ in 2003. Founded by Mark O’Hare and Nick Arnott, it began by listing private equity performance data, relying on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).[1] As the company expanded it began to collect data for more asset classes, and it now covers private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and secondaries. It gets most of its data from voluntary contributions and direct contact with market participants.

In 2017, Preqin won the Alt Credit Intelligence US Services award for ‘Best Data and Information Provider’, as well as the Corporate LiveWire Global Fund Award for ‘Data Provider of the Year’. It won six separate awards in 2016, including The Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.[2]

Preqin provides data on fundraising, investors, performance, dry powder, AUM and deal flow, as well as information on compensation, fund terms and employment. It publishes research reports that draw from its data and include contributions from alternative investment professionals, as well as Preqin subject experts. In 2018 the business launched a research report titled Women in Alternatives[3], which detailed underrepresentation of women in the alternative assets industry.  

Preqin is headquartered in London, and has offices in seven more international locations: New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Manila and Guangzhou. It has on-the-ground research teams in many of these regions, monitoring and gathering data and information on markets worldwide.

Preqin's methods of data collection include web data extraction, direct conversations with fund managers, on and offshore web research, FOIA requests and manager-initiated data contributions.