Fortress’s Private Equity business was launched in 1998 by Wes Edens, Rob Kauffman and Randy Nardone. Since inception, Fortress has invested approximately $21 billion of equity capital in 17 private equity investment funds/vehicles on behalf of many of the largest pension funds, university endowments and foundations, and other institutional investors. Fortress takes an “asset based” approach to private equity investing, and invests across a broad range of industries dominated by tangible physical and financial assets that we believe provide downside protection and stable cash flows. Industries in which we have been significant investors include transportation, financials, senior living/healthcare, real estate, media & telecommunications, leisure and energy infrastructure.

The Fortress Private Equity business is executed through a series of Private Equity Funds which focus on control-oriented investments in asset-based businesses and asset portfolios in North America and Western Europe. In addition, Fortress manages two externally managed publicly traded companies (the Castles) that invest primarily in real estate related loans and securities and operating real estate.