Preqin
Preqin is a London-based provider of data, research, and technology for private markets and alternative assets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Preqin is a British financial-data and research company focused on alternative assets and private markets. Founded in 2003 by Mark O’Hare and Nick Arnott under the name Private Equity Intelligence, the business initially concentrated on collecting and presenting private-equity performance information. Its early research model drew in part on information obtained through the United Kingdom’s Freedom of Information Act, helping it build a specialist data service for an investment sector whose information was less standardized and less publicly accessible than that of listed markets. Over time, Preqin broadened from a private-equity information provider into a multi-asset-class platform. Its coverage includes private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and secondaries. The company’s information set encompasses investment funds, fund managers, institutional investors, performance indicators, transactions, and deal activity. These datasets are used by investment firms, asset owners, consultants, advisers, service providers, and other participants seeking to evaluate managers, compare funds, assess fundraising and transaction trends, and support due diligence or allocation decisions. The Preqin offering combines proprietary research, market intelligence, data products, reports, and technology intended to support the investment process. Its positioning is that of a specialist alternative-assets information provider rather than a general-purpose public-markets terminal. The brand’s value proposition rests on breadth of private-markets coverage, structured information about funds and managers, and research designed for a market in which data can be fragmented, privately held, and difficult to compare. The company also developed a public research and thought-leadership role. In 2018, it published Women in Alternatives, a report examining the representation of women in the alternative-investment industry and highlighting the sector’s diversity challenges. Preqin received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2016 and again in 2019. In 2019 it was also named a national winner in the European Business Awards and appeared in the Sunday Times International Track 200, recognitions associated with international growth and business performance. Preqin expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of Colmore in August 2021. Colmore was described as a private-markets technology, services, and administration business, giving Preqin a closer connection to operational workflows as well as information and research. In July 2024, BlackRock announced an agreement to acquire Preqin, with the stated strategic objective of combining Preqin’s private-markets data and research with BlackRock’s Aladdin technology platform. BlackRock announced completion of the transaction in March 2025 and valued full control at approximately US$3.2 billion. Preqin therefore remains an active specialist brand while operating within BlackRock’s broader investment-technology and data ecosystem.
History
Preqin began operations in 2003 as Private Equity Intelligence. Mark O’Hare and Nick Arnott established the business to collect and organize information on private-equity performance, an area where data was relatively opaque and inconsistent compared with public securities markets. The early company used information gathered through the United Kingdom’s Freedom of Information Act as part of its research approach, helping it assemble datasets that could be used by professionals evaluating private-equity funds and managers. The company subsequently expanded its scope and adopted the Preqin name as its principal identity. Its research coverage grew to encompass a wide range of alternative-assets categories, including private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and secondaries. The information covered funds, managers, investors, performance, fundraising, and deals. This expansion positioned Preqin as a specialist source for institutions and advisers working in private markets, where investment information is often dispersed among managers, service providers, regulatory filings, and specialist publications. Preqin’s development combined recurring data products with research and analytical reports. Its reports and market analysis addressed both investment activity and structural issues within the industry. A notable example was Women in Alternatives, published in 2018, which examined the underrepresentation of women in alternative investments and contributed to the company’s thought-leadership role. The business received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2016 and again in 2019. In 2019 it was also recognized as a national winner at the European Business Awards and was included in the Sunday Times International Track 200. These distinctions reflected its international commercial reach and growth as a specialist financial-information provider. In August 2021, Preqin fully acquired Colmore. Colmore brought private-markets technology, services, and administration capabilities, complementing Preqin’s established data and research activities. The transaction supported a broader strategy of serving private-markets professionals not only with intelligence but also with tools and operational support. On July 1, 2024, BlackRock announced that it had agreed to acquire Preqin for £2.55 billion. BlackRock’s stated rationale was to combine Preqin’s private-markets data and research with Aladdin, its investment-management technology platform. The transaction represented a major change in ownership for Preqin but was consistent with the growing strategic importance of private-markets information and technology. In March 2025, BlackRock announced that the acquisition had been completed and indicated a value of approximately US$3.2 billion for full control. Preqin consequently became part of BlackRock while continuing to represent a specialist brand in alternative-assets data, research, and private-markets technology.
- 2025
Acquisition completed
[1]BlackRock announced completion of the acquisition and indicated an approximate value of US$3.2 billion for full control.
- 2024
BlackRock announces acquisition
[1]BlackRock announced an agreement to acquire Preqin for £2.55 billion and integrate its data and research with Aladdin.
- 2021
Colmore acquisition
[1]Preqin fully acquired Colmore, adding private-markets technology, services, and administration capabilities.
- 2019
International business recognitions
[1]Preqin received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for a second time, became a national winner in the European Business Awards, and appeared in the Sunday Times International Track 200.
- 2018
Women in Alternatives report
[1]Preqin published research examining women’s representation in the alternative-assets industry.
- 2016
Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade
[1]Preqin received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
- 2003
Private Equity Intelligence launches
[1]Mark O’Hare and Nick Arnott launched the business as Private Equity Intelligence, initially focusing on private-equity performance data.
Products and positioning
A specialist global information and technology provider for private markets and alternative assets, serving investors and financial professionals with structured data, research, and workflow support.
Financial information and research
Private-markets data platform
Preqin’s core platform organizes information on private-capital and alternative-assets markets. Its coverage includes funds, managers, investors, performance, fundraising, and transactions across private equity, venture capital, private debt, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, secondaries, and hedge funds. The information is intended to help professional users conduct market research, compare investment opportunities, support due diligence, and monitor industry activity.
Research and analysis
Alternative-assets research reports
Preqin produces research and analytical reports on alternative-investment markets and industry trends. These publications translate its datasets into market commentary and thematic analysis for institutional investors, managers, advisers, and other participants. Topics can include asset-class activity, fundraising, performance, manager behavior, and workforce or diversity issues.
Financial technology and services · 2021
Private-markets technology and administration services
Following the acquisition of Colmore, Preqin’s business included capabilities associated with private-markets technology, services, and administration. These capabilities complemented its data and research products by addressing operational and workflow requirements in private-market investing.
Brand decisions
2025
Complete BlackRock acquisitionM&ABackground
The previously announced purchase required completion before Preqin could operate within BlackRock’s group.
Action taken
BlackRock announced that it had completed the purchase of Preqin.
Aftermath
Preqin became a BlackRock-owned active brand, with its data and research intended to complement Aladdin.
Value attributed to full control. Approximately US$3.2 billion (Completion announced March 2025)
2024
Agree to BlackRock acquisitionM&ABackground
BlackRock identified private-markets data and research as complementary to its Aladdin investment-technology platform.
Action taken
BlackRock announced an agreement to acquire Preqin for £2.55 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction was completed in 2025, bringing Preqin into BlackRock’s corporate group.
Announced acquisition value. £2.55 billion (Announced July 1, 2024)
2021
Acquire ColmoreM&ABackground
Preqin sought to broaden its private-markets proposition beyond information and research.
Action taken
The company fully acquired Colmore, a private-markets technology, services, and administration business.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Preqin’s capabilities into technology and operational support for private-markets participants.
Recent events
Preqin completes acquisition of Colmore[2]
Reported:
Preqin completed its acquisition of Colmore on August 5, 2021. Colmore will be fully owned by Preqin and operate as an independent, standalone business.
- Unconfirmed
Preqin establishes office in Dubai[3]
Reported:
Preqin established a permanent office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a team of three staff serving the alternative assets community in the Middle East.
Preqin and Saïd Business School partner on private markets programme[4]
Reported:
Preqin and Saïd Business School partnered to provide the Oxford Private Markets Investments Programme, a six-week executive education course focused on private markets.
Sources4 sources
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