A network of former private equity executives is pooling capital to back mid-market buyout funds and co-investments through PE Club, a platform founded by former Cinven executive Nicolas Paulmier. While wealthy private equity veterans have long backed managers through personal relationships and family office structures, PE Club is formalising that network into a dedicated platform, combining capital from former GPs, entrepreneurs and PE-backed company executives into a single investment vehicle.

The firm's LPs are generally a collection of serial entrepreneurs, ex-CEOs, and partners and ex-partners from large European private equity firms, according to founder Nicolas Paulmier. This structure allows experienced operators to deploy capital alongside professional fund managers, leveraging deep sector knowledge and established deal-flow relationships.

By institutionalising what was previously an informal network of personal allocations, PE Club creates a scalable vehicle for mid-market fund commitments and direct co-investments. The platform targets managers who value strategic LP partnerships beyond pure capital, offering operational expertise and portfolio company connections from investors who have sat on both sides of the table.