Firm at a glance
ECM Equity Capital Management is a platform private equity firm founded in 1995 and headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, per its own website [S1].
What they buy
ECM reports approximately €1.0 billion in equity commitments as of January 2026 [S1]. The firm’s portfolio as of early 2026 includes Education Group, DETAX, ETS Group, Leitner, and Bergmann [S2]. While specific sector classifications were not disclosed in public materials reviewed, the portfolio names suggest investments spanning education, manufacturing, and financial services.
Portfolio
As of January 2026, ECM’s publicly listed portfolio includes the following companies [S2]:
* Education Group
* DETAX
* ETS Group
* Leitner
* Bergmann
Recent activity (last 24 months)
* **October 2025**: Exit of YellowFox [S1]
* **May 2025**: Exit of DATAPART [S1]
How this firm fits a seller
ECM appears to focus on platform investments in German-speaking markets, given its Frankfurt headquarters and portfolio composition. The firm’s recent activity shows two exits within the trailing twelve months, suggesting active portfolio management and realization discipline. For owner-operators in Germany or neighboring regions seeking a buyer with approximately three decades of operating history, ECM represents an established option. The firm’s reported €1.0 billion in equity commitments indicates capacity for mid-market transactions [S1].
Sources
[S1] https://ecm-pe.de (as of 2026-01-15)
[S2] https://ecm-pe.de/portfolio (as of 2026-01-15)
Frequently asked questions
Does ECM Equity Capital Management buy education businesses?
ECM’s portfolio as of early 2026 includes Education Group, indicating the firm has invested in the education sector [S2]. However, without additional public disclosure regarding the firm’s current investment criteria, it is not possible to confirm whether education remains an active focus area.
What companies has ECM Equity Capital Management acquired recently?
Public sources reviewed for this profile did not surface acquisition announcements in the trailing 24 months. ECM’s recent disclosed activity consists of two exits: YellowFox in October 2025 and DATAPART in May 2025 [S1]. Current portfolio holdings include Education Group, DETAX, ETS Group, Leitner, and Bergmann [S2].
Where is ECM Equity Capital Management based and how big is the firm?
ECM is based in Frankfurt, Germany, and reports approximately €1.0 billion in equity commitments as of January 2026 [S1]. The firm was founded in 1995 and operates from its Frankfurt office [S1].
Is ECM Equity Capital Management still actively acquiring?
ECM completed two portfolio exits in 2025, most recently in October [S1]. While no new platform acquisitions were surfaced in public materials from the trailing 24 months, the firm maintains an active portfolio of five companies as of early 2026 [S2], suggesting ongoing investment activity.
This profile is maintained by CT Acquisitions as an independent third-party reference. CT Acquisitions is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a representative of the firm profiled. All facts sourced from publicly available materials as of the dates cited.