{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/private-equity-fund","api_url":"https://www.capbench.com/api/public/glossary/private-equity-fund","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-17","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","CapBench lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"private-equity-fund","term":"Private equity fund","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A pooled investment vehicle that invests in private companies, often with the goal of improving operations and selling for a profit. They typically focus on larger deals.","what_it_means":"While private equity funds sometimes acquire small businesses, their structure often doesn't align with the SBA's owner-operator requirements for 7(a) loans. If you're buying from a fund, be aware of their exit motivations. If you're part of a fund, confirm your structure meets SBA owner-operator and affiliation rules.","url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/private-equity-fund","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"search-fund","term":"Search fund / searcher","url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/search-fund"},{"slug":"general-partner","term":"General partner","url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/general-partner"},{"slug":"limited-partner","term":"Limited partner","url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/limited-partner"},{"slug":"affiliation","term":"Affiliation","url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/affiliation"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"When does ownership by a private equity fund trigger affiliation for SBA size standard purposes?","url":"https://www.capbench.com/for-lenders/questions/when-does-ownership-by-a-private-equity-fund-trigger-affiliation-for-sba-size-standard-pur"},{"question":"Under what conditions does ownership by a private equity fund trigger affiliation for SBA size standard purposes?","url":"https://www.capbench.com/for-lenders/questions/under-what-conditions-does-ownership-by-a-private-equity-fund-trigger-affiliation-for-sba-"},{"question":"Can funds from a private equity firm count as equity injection for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://www.capbench.com/sba-7a/questions/can-funds-from-a-private-equity-firm-count-as-equity-injection-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can a bridge loan from a private lender count towards the buyer's required equity injection?","url":"https://www.capbench.com/sba-7a/questions/can-a-bridge-loan-from-a-private-lender-count-towards-the-buyer-s-required-equity-injectio"},{"question":"Can a private investor provide a loan that counts as equity injection for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://www.capbench.com/sba-7a/questions/can-a-private-investor-provide-a-loan-that-counts-as-equity-injection-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can a subordinated loan from a private third-party investor count as equity injection for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://www.capbench.com/sba-7a/questions/can-a-subordinated-loan-from-a-private-third-party-investor-count-as-equity-injection-for-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent CapBench's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"CapBench Glossary — Private equity fund","url":"https://www.capbench.com/glossary/private-equity-fund","source_type":"CapBench Data"}}