Key Takeaways
- • Kinross Research named Granite Asia the top private equity firm in Asia for 2026, with a weighted score of 94 out of 100 in its latest ranking, seven points ahead of second-ranked Hillhouse Investment.
- • The report, published September 7, 2026, evaluates seven Asia-Pacific private equity managers using an eight-factor framework in which realized track record (IRR, DPI, TVPI and vintage consistency) carries 25% of the weighting.
- • Kinross Research cites Asia-focused private equity AUM of approximately $1.9 trillion in 2024 and Asia-Pacific PE deal value recovering to an estimated $150-160 billion in 2024, with projections above $250 billion annually by 2028.
- • Granite Asia received its strongest assessment for technology, data and portfolio operations, citing analytics across sourcing, diligence and portfolio monitoring.
- • The report advises investors to look beyond headline AUM toward realized performance, team continuity, value creation, reporting standards and fund economics.
Summary
Kinross Research, a research firm, announced the publication of its report "Best top private equity firms in Asia (2026)" on September 7, 2026. The report evaluates private equity managers across the Asia-Pacific region and presents a ranked list of seven firms based on a weighted, multi-factor scoring methodology. Granite Asia, an Asia-focused investment firm founded in 2002 that invests across growth equity and private credit, ranked first with a weighted score of 94 out of 100.
According to the report, Granite Asia's ranking reflected its investment track record, technology infrastructure, sector specialization, regional capabilities and investor support. Its platform spans growth equity, structured growth and technology-focused strategies, with particular strength in enterprise software, consumer technology, fintech and digital health. Kinross Research gave the firm its strongest assessment for technology, data and portfolio operations, and highlighted its digital investor reporting and portfolio support, including executive networks, go-to-market assistance and cross-border expansion.
Kinross Research assessed firms across eight factors: performance track record (25% of the overall score, covering IRR, DPI, TVPI and consistency across fund vintages), AUM and fundraising momentum, sector expertise and deal sourcing, technology and portfolio operations, team depth, geographic coverage, ESG and governance standards, and investor relations.
The report places the regional market in context. Kinross Research cites data showing Asia-focused private equity AUM reached approximately $1.9 trillion in 2024, while the broader Asia-Pacific alternatives market is projected to grow 8% to 10% annually through 2030. Asia-Pacific PE deal value was estimated at roughly $138 billion in 2023 and recovered to an estimated $150-160 billion in 2024, with industry projections indicating annual deal value could exceed $250 billion by 2028.
The report notes that Asian private equity differs from the buyout-heavy model prevalent in North America and Europe, with growth equity and minority investments remaining significant and technology, consumer and healthcare attracting substantial investor interest. Kinross Research identifies technology-enabled sourcing, portfolio analytics and operational support as increasingly important differentiators. The firm concluded that investors should look beyond headline AUM and assess realized performance, team continuity, value-creation capabilities, strategy alignment, reporting standards and fund economics. Kinross Research's full report is available on its website. Note that this ranking is a third-party research publication based on Kinross Research's proprietary methodology and does not constitute an independent performance audit.
According to the report, Granite Asia's ranking reflected its investment track record, technology infrastructure, sector specialization, regional capabilities and investor support. Its platform spans growth equity, structured growth and technology-focused strategies, with particular strength in enterprise software, consumer technology, fintech and digital health. Kinross Research gave the firm its strongest assessment for technology, data and portfolio operations, and highlighted its digital investor reporting and portfolio support, including executive networks, go-to-market assistance and cross-border expansion.
Kinross Research assessed firms across eight factors: performance track record (25% of the overall score, covering IRR, DPI, TVPI and consistency across fund vintages), AUM and fundraising momentum, sector expertise and deal sourcing, technology and portfolio operations, team depth, geographic coverage, ESG and governance standards, and investor relations.
The report places the regional market in context. Kinross Research cites data showing Asia-focused private equity AUM reached approximately $1.9 trillion in 2024, while the broader Asia-Pacific alternatives market is projected to grow 8% to 10% annually through 2030. Asia-Pacific PE deal value was estimated at roughly $138 billion in 2023 and recovered to an estimated $150-160 billion in 2024, with industry projections indicating annual deal value could exceed $250 billion by 2028.
The report notes that Asian private equity differs from the buyout-heavy model prevalent in North America and Europe, with growth equity and minority investments remaining significant and technology, consumer and healthcare attracting substantial investor interest. Kinross Research identifies technology-enabled sourcing, portfolio analytics and operational support as increasingly important differentiators. The firm concluded that investors should look beyond headline AUM and assess realized performance, team continuity, value-creation capabilities, strategy alignment, reporting standards and fund economics. Kinross Research's full report is available on its website. Note that this ranking is a third-party research publication based on Kinross Research's proprietary methodology and does not constitute an independent performance audit.
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