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Investing in Innovation

Private Equity: Investing in Innovation for a Better Future

Private equity powers American innovation that improves lives. Our investment strengthens internet access in rural communities, builds energy infrastructure, and develops treatments for blood clots, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and more. And 85% of all private equity goes to small businesses across our nation. 

Tax policies should encourage investment across our country that supports American innovation. Here’s how private equity is investing in innovation, supporting small businesses, and driving economic growth.

Building Innovative Infrastructure

  • Expanding our Transportation Grid – Private equity has strategically invested over $220 billion in nearly 1,500 U.S. transportation companies, driving modernization in critical sectors such as ports, marine terminals, airports, highways, and railways. With the help of investments from The Carlyle Group, John F. Kennedy International Airport is constructing a state-of-the-art terminal. Once completed, this project aims to generate 10,000 jobs, with a bold target of having 30% of new businesses be minority- or women-owned, promoting both innovation and inclusivity.
  • Revolutionizing Communications Networks – Private equity sponsors are spearheading efforts to bridge the digital divide, bringing high-speed broadband to underserved rural areas. Apollo Global Management and GTCR are innovating connectivity with investments in Lumen Technologies and Visionary Broadband. These networks will revolutionize internet speeds and reliability, particularly across the Mountain West and Midwest, unlocking new opportunities for growth and development.
  • Pioneering Innovation in Manufacturing – Private equity is playing a key role in revitalizing the U.S. semiconductor industry, positioning the nation as a global leader in chip manufacturing. The CHIPS and Science Act has catalyzed a groundbreaking $15 billion partnership between Intel and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners to create next-generation chip manufacturing facilities in Chandler, Arizona, driving technological innovation and strengthening the U.S. supply chain.
  • Investing in Clean Technologies – Private equity is a longtime supporter of the clean technology industry, investing around $150 billion into more than 1,100 cleantech companies and projects over the past decade. 2021 was a record year for capital invested with $28 billion in deals. Combined with 2020, almost $50 billion of private equity capital has been funneled into clean tech applications and providers.

Investing in Innovative Solutions to America’s Health Care Challenges

  • Financing Life-Saving and Low-Cost Treatments – On average, it takes 10-15 years and more than $2.6 billion to develop and bring new medicines to the market.Over the past ten years, private equity has invested more than $123 billion in pharmaceutical manufacturers. These investments have enabled the development of treatments for several life-threatening conditions, such as Leukemia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, HIV, and breast cancer, and for several debilitating conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and ulcerative colitis.
  • Funding Innovative Medical Devices – Medical device manufacturers spend on average $54 million in R&D and testing costs to bring a novel complex medical device to market.Over the past decade, more than 870 medical manufacturers have partnered with private equity firms to grow their footprints, innovate new products, hire industry experts, and ultimately distribute the resulting medical devices to providers and patients in need.
  • Helping Rural Patients Access Care – America suffers from an acute and growing rural health care crisis. Private equity has invested $15 billion in more than 250 urgent care clinics as of 2020. Innovative private equity-backed urgent care clinics help get rural patients the care they need over shorter distances while also not overwhelming the limited number of hospitals in these areas

Case Studies: Real-World Success Stories of Private Equity Driving Innovation

Anthos Therapeutics – Anthos Therapeutics launched in 2019 thanks to private equity investments with the express goal of creating new therapies for patients suffering from high-risk cardiovascular issues. Anthos recently announced that they had developed a new drug that could significantly reduce the risk of blood clots, providing a safer alternative for the 12.1 million Americans expected to suffer from atrial fibrillation by 2030.

Go Health Urgent Care – GoHealth Urgent Care provides critical care virtually and in-person at more than 200 care centers nationwide. Chief Growth Officer Sarah Arora credits private equity investments with helping GoHealth grow, “We had not a single center to speak of in 2014. And we took private equity investment at that point. And, it’s allowed us to invest in the technology and the talent … [and be] able to dramatically increase access to care by delivering care where people live their lives … that’s been a boon for us to be able to scale the organization, really without compromising quality.”